Free and Almost Free in São Paulo
Take the Stroll Road
Avenida Paulista features São Paulo’s most expensive real estate but also its most popular sidewalks. Cultural centers, parks, bookstores, and iconic buildings are only some of the free attractions that line the 3-km (2-mile) road.
The historic center holds great strolls as well. English-speaking guides lead free walking tours on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. The architectural highlights include the Copan Building, Municipal Theater, and São Bento Monastery.
Default Browsers
Shopping is as much a staple of paulistanos’ pastimes as rice and beans are of their diets. Retail ranges from Ara Vartanian and Burberry stores to the stockyards of knockoffs around Rua 25 de Março. For those looking to scrimp rather than splurge, window-gazing is a fun option. Luxury malls, such as JK Iguatemi, and trendy thoroughfares, like Oscar Freire, have beguiling display cases.
From the Windows to the Walls
Fernando Pessoa, Portinari, and Pele—São Paulo museums celebrate Brazilian masters of art forms, from fine art to futebol. Most of the leading museums charge admittance but also comp visitors at least once a week. These include Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP) on Tuesday; Museu do Futebol on Thursday; Pinacoteca do Estado on Saturday; Catavento Cultural on Saturday; and Museu de Arte Contemporânea on Sunday.
São Paulo also assumes a top pedestal on the street-art circuit. Walls around the metropolis are covered with top-notch work from roving grafiteiros (graffiti artists). Revered hot spots include Museu Aberto de Arte Urbano; Beco Aprendiz das Letras; Beco do Batman; and Túnel da Paulista.
Unstopped Programming
For one weekend each May, the Virada Cultural brings a 24-hour spree of free cultural programming. São Paulo’s city government erects stages throughout the downtown area, where international and domestic musical acts headline the agenda.
Free entertainment throughout the rest of the year includes New Orleans jazz and blues at the annual summer Bourbon Street Fest, while the Social Service of Commerce (SESC) Cultural Center sponsors shows at little or no cost nearly every week.
Sala São Paulo, Brazil’s premier classical music venue, gives away tickets to its Sunday matinees a week in advance. Competition is fierce and space can disappear only a few hours after becoming available. Seating is easier to attain for Sunday concerts at Auditório Ibirapuera. Brazilian pop, jazz, and soul predominate from a stage overlooking one of the park’s lawns.
Galeria Olido hosts free samba shows and one-off events such as Hiphop MC 'battles'. Leading up to Carnival, Brazil’s rhythmic trademark seizes the spotlight in São Paulo, with free blocos (themed street parties led by percussion troupes) and samba school presentations.
