Minas Gerais

A large inland state in southeastern Brazil, home to a cluster of colonial gold-rush towns and renowned nationwide for its food and Baroque art.

Minas Gerais lies in the interior of southeastern Brazil, a hilly and mountainous region that boomed in the 18th century with the gold rush and left behind many Baroque-style historic towns. Ouro Preto and Diamantina are both World Heritage Sites, and Tiradentes and São João del-Rei, with their well-preserved colonial streets and churches, are also well worth a visit. The capital, Belo Horizonte, has the Pampulha modernist architectural ensemble, and the Inhotim contemporary art center on its outskirts is highly acclaimed. Mineira cuisine and cheese are famous. April to September is drier and good for travel. Belo Horizonte/Confins International Airport is the main gateway.

Destinations

• Belo Horizonte
• Ouro Preto
• Diamantina
• Tiradentes & São João del-Rei

Itineraries

• Minas Gold Towns & Inhotim Loop – A loop from Belo Horizonte covering Inhotim, Ouro Preto, and Tiradentes.
• Diamantina & Caminho dos Diamantes – Travel through Serro and Milho Verde to Diamantina, blending historic trails with waterfalls.