The planned capital city of Brazil, Brasília is famous for its modern architecture, hosting some of the world's most amazing modern buildings and monuments. Brasilia also has good shopping opportunities, great restaurants, public works of art, art centers and recreational areas good for many outdoor activities such as biking and windsurfing. Nearby savanna areas offer good trekking and scenic waterfalls.
Planned capital. Brasília is a modern planned city that was built between 1956 and 1960 to be the new capital of Brazil. Designed by Lúcio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer, it became a masterpiece of modern architecture and urban planning. Located in the Central Highlands of Brazil, Brasilia is the fourth largest city in Brazil, as well as an important transportation hub and business center. It also hosts major festivals and political events and has become an important business tourism destination.
Main architectural sites in Brasília include The Square of the Three Powers that hosts the seats of Brazil’s Congress, Presidential Palace and Supreme Court, the Itamaraty Palace, the Brasília Cathedral and the Palace of Justice. There are also a few museums in Brasília, including the cultural complex next to the cathedral, and the Television Tower or the Dom Bosco Chapel offer a great view over the city.
Culture & outdoor activities are also available in Brasília. There are several large cultural centers in Brasília, such as Conjunto Cultural da Caixa or Espaço Cultural 508 Sul, that host exhibitions from contemporary Brazilian and international artists. The city also has a great variety of public art works from many Brazilian artists that have been integrated into the city’s architecture. Conjunto Nacional area in downtown offers nice shopping in Brasília, and the Paranoá Lake has a large park area that offers activities from swimming to windsurfing and wakeboarding. There is also a City Park that offers nice settings for biking, running or roller skating, and a golf course available.
Outside the city, Brasilia National Park, Chapada Imperial and Chapada dos Veadeiros are all great areas for mountain biking or trekking around Brasília.
Planned capital. Brasília is a modern planned city that was built between 1956 and 1960 to be the new capital of Brazil. Designed by Lúcio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer, it became a masterpiece of modern architecture and urban planning. Located in the Central Highlands of Brazil, Brasilia is the fourth largest city in Brazil, as well as an important transportation hub and business center. It also hosts major festivals and political events and has become an important business tourism destination.
Sights and activities in Brasília: architectural marvels, art, shopping & trekking
The modern city planning and architecture in Brasília is truly unique, as the city is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been built in the 20th century. No wonder the city attracts architecture aficionados around the globe. When seen from above, the city resembles the shape of an airplane or a bird. Brasilia's architectural sites are often located far from each other, but fortunately sightseeing tours in Brasília are available.Main architectural sites in Brasília include The Square of the Three Powers that hosts the seats of Brazil’s Congress, Presidential Palace and Supreme Court, the Itamaraty Palace, the Brasília Cathedral and the Palace of Justice. There are also a few museums in Brasília, including the cultural complex next to the cathedral, and the Television Tower or the Dom Bosco Chapel offer a great view over the city.
Culture & outdoor activities are also available in Brasília. There are several large cultural centers in Brasília, such as Conjunto Cultural da Caixa or Espaço Cultural 508 Sul, that host exhibitions from contemporary Brazilian and international artists. The city also has a great variety of public art works from many Brazilian artists that have been integrated into the city’s architecture. Conjunto Nacional area in downtown offers nice shopping in Brasília, and the Paranoá Lake has a large park area that offers activities from swimming to windsurfing and wakeboarding. There is also a City Park that offers nice settings for biking, running or roller skating, and a golf course available.
Outside the city, Brasilia National Park, Chapada Imperial and Chapada dos Veadeiros are all great areas for mountain biking or trekking around Brasília.
Photo: Xenia Antunes, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Brasília travel tips and practical information
Brasília has a warm and dry tropical savanna climate, with two main seasons: a bit cooler dry season from May to September and a humid and warm rainy season from October to April. The temperatures remain pleasantly warm throughout the year, with September and October being the warmest months.Traveling to Brasília is most practical by air. The city has an international airport that is the third busiest in Brazil, with plenty of domestic as well as a few international flights to Brasília. There are also long-distance buses and a few trains to Brasília available from the main cities in Brazil. The public transport in Brasília is available by buses and minibuses or by the new subway system that is open only on weekdays. Car rental in Brasília is available at the airport as well as in the Hotel Nacional tourism center. Metered taxis can be found at taxi stands located close to all tourist attractions in Brasília.
Tourism in Brasília has also been subject to zonal planning. Most hotels in Brasília have been zoned into distinctive hotel districts, but there are also some accommodation options elsewhere in the city. There is a good number of restaurants in Brasília, offering a wide range of cuisines to suit all tastes and budgets. Brasilia also has some nightlife options, although cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Săo Paulo have much wider range of nightlife. English is not widely understood outside the main tourist areas in Brasília, so it is good to learn some basic phrases of Portuguese.
Safety. Brasília is a relatively safe city in compared to other regions of Brazil, but as in elsewhere in Brazil, you should take good care of your belongings and avoid walking alone in the quieter neighbourhoods or after dark.
