Ibirapuera Park
Parque Ibirapuera
São Paulo's 'Central Park,' with a cluster of Niemeyer-designed modernist buildings among lakes and green spaces. It is home to museums and a gathering place for runners and cyclists.
Ibirapuera Park opened in 1954 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of São Paulo. It covers about 158 hectares. Architect Oscar Niemeyer designed its buildings, and Roberto Burle Marx worked on the landscape. A long, curved concrete canopy (the Marquise) links the venues. They include the Oca, a white dish-shaped building for large exhibitions; the Ciccillo Matarazzo Pavilion, which hosts the São Paulo Biennial; the Ibirapuera Auditorium, with its red tongue-shaped canopy; the Museum of Modern Art of São Paulo (MAM); and the Afro Brasil Museum.
By the lake you can see a musical fountain. On weekends, many people run, cycle and picnic in the park, and bicycles can be rented. The park has many entrances. From Avenida Paulista, it's about a 15-minute taxi ride, or take Metro Line 5 to AACD-Servidor station and walk from there. The park is generally safe, but avoid secluded areas after dark.
Opening hours
Daily 05:00–24:00 (individual museums have their own hours)
Nearby sights
- São Paulo Museum of Modern Art (MAM)
- Museu Afro Brasil
- Monument to the Bandeiras
- Japan House São Paulo
- Avenida Paulista
- São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP)
- Rua Oscar Freire & Jardins
- Liberdade