Avenida Paulista
São Paulo's most iconic tree-lined avenue, about 2.8 km long, lined with bank headquarters, cultural centers and art museums. On Sundays it closes to cars and becomes the city's largest pedestrian street.
Avenida Paulista was built in 1891. It was originally a mansion district for coffee barons, and today it is lined with high-rises and is the financial heart of Brazil. The avenue is packed with free or low-cost cultural venues: MASP art museum; SESC Avenida Paulista (its top-floor observation deck offers free views over the avenue); Japan House, with its wooden facade designed by Kengo Kuma; Itaú Cultural Centre; the IMS Moreira Salles Institute (photography exhibitions); and the FIESP Cultural Centre, among others.
On Sundays and public holidays, the avenue closes to motor traffic and becomes 'Paulista Aberta' (Open Paulista). Street bands, dancers, skateboarders and snack stalls fill the road. It is the best time to experience everyday life in São Paulo. At its far end, the avenue connects to Jardins and the Augusta district, which has many museums.
Take Metro Line 2 (green line) and get off at Consolação, Trianon-MASP or Brigadeiro stations. After dark, when crowds thin out, watch your belongings.
Opening hours
Open all day; pedestrian street on Sundays approx. 09:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP)
- Japan House São Paulo
- Rua Oscar Freire & Jardins
- Museu do Futebol
- Edifício Copan
- Monument to the Bandeiras
- Edifício Italia
- Museu Afro Brasil