Paraty Historic Centre
Centro Histórico de Paraty
A colonial old town that grew up as the port for the 18th-century Gold Road. Its white walls, coloured window frames, and uneven stone streets are remarkably intact.
In the 18th century, Paraty was the port through which gold from Minas Gerais was shipped out. The historic centre preserves large areas of colonial buildings with white walls and coloured doors and windows. In 2019 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, together with Ilha Grande. The streets are paved with irregular large stones, and they were designed so that high tides can flow in and wash the surface. The old town bans motor vehicles, so it is best explored on foot. Along the streets you will find galleries, craft shops, cachaça bars, and restaurants, and the evening lights are warm. Wear flat shoes, since the stone surfaces get slippery when it rains.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Igreja do Rosário e São Benedito
- Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
- Igreja de Santa Rita & Sacred Art Museum
- Casa da Cultura de Paraty
- Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Dores
- Praia do Jabaquara
- Forte Defensor Perpétuo
- Cachoeira da Pedra Branca