Sao Paulo might be rather intimidating at first with all that traffic, smog, and the gaping divide between rich and poor. However, in the same breath, it is a city with fertile cultural life, hundreds of distinct ethnic groups, first-rate cultural centers, world-class restaurants, and a dizzying 20 million people that would rather live nowhere else. If you are looking for a destination that is stimulating in every way, you should mark your route with the Essential Free Tour of Sao Paulo. Let a local guide you through the richest and most multifaceted metropolis in the country. You will discover the downtown of an avant-garde city that preserves its traditions in art, architecture, and gastronomy.

Your Essential Free Tour of Sao Paulo (or Sampa, as locals prefer to call it) will take you for a walk around the historic center. There you will find the pearls of the city: the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Municipal Theater of Sao Paulo, an ornate building that has hosted the likes of Isadora Duncan and Duke Ellington. Not far, you can also admire Brazil's first skyscraper: the Martinelli Building, a wonder with 28 floors built in 1929. These buildings bear witness to the late blooming of Sao Paulo: a city originally founded by missionaries that remained in the shadow of Rio de Janeiro for much of the 19th century, until the rise of the coffee trade attracted a multicultural population and investors from all over the world.

Walking with a knowledgeable local guide will be the perfect way to navigate Sao Paulo safely and visit places dazzling with variety and beauty. Although your guide will adapt your tour to the dynamics of each group, the Municipal Market is a common stop. It is a beautiful building of 12,600 square meters designed in the style of the Central Market of Berlin. It will be a good place to get an introduction to the real life and local cuisine of the region, as well as to the vibrant character of a city Paulistanos are proud of. This tour is perfect both for first-timers in Sao Paulo and for those who return to the city and want to delve into its secrets. Book today and come share a wonderful day!