10 Best things to do in Belo Horizonte

Belo Horizonte — affectionately known as “BH” — is one of Brazil’s most underrated cities. Sitting among the green mountains of Minas Gerais, the city blends modernist architecture, a legendary bar culture, vibrant neighbourhoods, and access to some of Brazil’s most charming colonial towns. For travellers searching for authentic experiences beyond Rio and São Paulo, BH offers one of the country’s most rewarding urban escapes.

From the iconic Pampulha Modern Ensemble designed by Oscar Niemeyer to the lively markets, leafy parks, panoramic viewpoints and day trips to UNESCO-listed towns, Belo Horizonte promises a surprising amount to see and do. Here are the 10 best things to do in Belo Horizonte to fully experience what the city has to offer.

1. Explore the Pampulha Modern Ensemble

No visit to Belo Horizonte is complete without exploring Pampulha, Brazil’s most celebrated modernist neighbourhood. Created in the 1940s, the district is a masterpiece of architecture and design, featuring works by Oscar Niemeyer, landscaping by Burle Marx and artwork by Cândido Portinari. The star attraction is the Church of São Francisco de Assis, famous for its sweeping curves and blue-tiled façade.

A walk or bike ride around the Pampulha Lagoon reveals additional highlights such as the former Cassino da Pampulha (now the Museum of Modern Art), the sleek Ball House and the spectacular Iate Tênis Clube. The entire ensemble is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and one of Brazil’s greatest cultural achievements.

2. Taste MG’s finest flavours at Mercado Central

Mercado Central is one of the best food markets in South America and absolutely unmissable if you want to understand Minas Gerais cuisine. Inside, more than 400 stalls sell regional cheeses, dulce de leche, cachaça, artisanal snacks, spices, handmade crafts and traditional Minas dishes.

Stop at a small bar for torresmo (crispy pork), pastel, pão de queijo or feijão tropeiro — BH classics that locals swear by. The market is lively from morning to late afternoon, with an atmosphere that mixes old-world tradition and bustling energy. It’s also the perfect place to buy edible souvenirs.

3. Wander the leafy streets of Savassi

Savassi is Belo Horizonte’s most vibrant neighbourhood, known for its cafés, restaurants, bars, bookstores and relaxed street life. It’s a favourite area for locals and visitors alike thanks to its easily walkable grid, stylish boutiques and constant activity.

Spend time exploring Praça da Savassi and the surrounding streets, stopping for coffee, browsing local shops or sitting at an outdoor bar with a cold beer. The nightlife here is energetic, filled with live music, craft cocktail spots and traditional botecos serving Minas-style dishes late into the night.

4. Visit the Praça da Liberdade cultural district

Praça da Liberdade is one of Belo Horizonte’s most elegant areas, framed by palm trees, ornate architecture and a growing collection of museums. Once the seat of state government, the old administrative buildings have been transformed into cultural centres known as the Circuito Liberdade.

Highlights include the Memorial Minas Gerais Vale, the Museum of Mines and Metal and the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB), which hosts some of Brazil’s best temporary exhibitions. Even if you’re not visiting museums, the plaza is a beautiful place to stroll and photograph.

5. Relax in Parque das Mangabeiras

Set at the base of the Serra do Curral mountains, Parque das Mangabeiras is Belo Horizonte’s largest green space. Designed with input from Burle Marx, the park features preserved forest, lagoons, lookout points, wildlife, walking trails and picnic lawns.

If you’re visiting BH on a warm weekend, this is where families, cyclists and nature lovers spend their afternoons. It’s an excellent place to unwind, breathe fresh mountain air and experience the local lifestyle away from the city centre.

6. Enjoy the views from Mirante do Mangabeiras

For the best panoramic view in Belo Horizonte, head to Mirante do Mangabeiras. From this elevated platform you can see the city skyline, the surrounding mountains and the Serra do Curral ridge stretching across the horizon.

Sunset is especially stunning, as the city lights flicker on and the skyline glows gold. Couples, photographers and travellers gather here daily, and despite its popularity, the viewpoint never feels too crowded thanks to its open space and fresh breeze.

7. Experience Belo Horizonte’s legendary bar culture

BH is often called the “capital of bars” in Brazil — and it lives up to the name. The city claims thousands of botecos, each with its own atmosphere, menu and loyal local crowd. Drinking and dining in botecos is such an important cultural tradition that BH hosts an annual Comida di Buteco competition.

Expect cold beer, hearty snacks, live music and vibrant street life on almost every corner. Neighbourhoods such as Santa Tereza, Lourdes and Savassi are among the best places to experience this side of the city, with dozens of beloved institutions to choose from.

8. Visit the Inhotim open-air museum

Located about an hour from Belo Horizonte, Inhotim is one of the most extraordinary contemporary art museums in the world. Set within a vast botanical garden, the complex features outdoor installations, immersive pavilions and some of Brazil’s most ambitious large-scale artworks.

Visitors can wander manicured paths, explore lakeside exhibits and tour the garden’s remarkable plant collections — all while viewing cutting-edge contemporary art. Inhotim is a full-day trip and one of the region’s unforgettable experiences.

9. Take a day trip to Ouro Preto or Mariana

From Belo Horizonte, it’s easy to reach two of Brazil’s most beautiful colonial towns: Ouro Preto and Mariana. Famous for their cobblestone streets, hillside churches and gold rush history, both towns preserve exceptional Baroque architecture and a romantic, old-world charm.

Visiting Ouro Preto means exploring museums, ornate churches and dramatic viewpoints, while Mariana offers a quieter, equally picturesque atmosphere. If you have time for only one trip outside BH, make it this one.

10. Explore Praça do Papa and the Serra do Curral

Praça do Papa (Pope’s Square) is another of Belo Horizonte’s best viewpoints, set against the rolling Serra do Curral mountains. The wide-open space is perfect for photos, relaxing on the grass, flying kites, or simply enjoying the cool mountain breeze.

Behind the square, trails lead up the Serra do Curral ridge, offering hiking opportunities and even wider views across the entire region. It’s a scenic escape that reveals how dramatically BH blends city and nature.