Belo Horizonte Travel Guide: Discover Brazil’s Cultural Capital

Often overshadowed by Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Belo Horizonte (or BH, as locals call it) is a vibrant, sophisticated, and surprisingly laid-back city that blends cultural depth with culinary excellence.
 

Nestled in the rolling hills of Minas Gerais, BH is known for:

Oscar Niemeyer’s early modernist architecture

The best bar and food scene in Brazil

Welcoming locals (Mineiros)

Proximity to colonial towns like Ouro Preto and Tiradentes

This is the soul of Brazil – authentic, artistic, and full of flavor.

📍 Quick Facts About Belo Horizonte

State: Minas Gerais

Population: ~2.5 million

Founded: 1897 (as a planned capital)

Nicknames: BH, Beagá, Cidade Jardim

Airport: Confins (CNF) – Tancredo Neves International Airport

Best Time to Visit: April to October (dry season)

🌟 Top Things to Do in Belo Horizonte

1. 🏛️ Visit the Pampulha Modern Ensemble (Conjunto Arquitetônico da Pampulha)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by Oscar Niemeyer, Roberto Burle Marx, and Cândido Portinari in the 1940s.

Highlights include:

São Francisco de Assis Church – Iconic curved architecture and blue tile murals

Casa do Baile – Now an urban design museum

Pampulha Lagoon – Ideal for walking, biking, or boat rides

📸 A must for lovers of architecture, art, and modernism.

2. 🖼️ Discover Inhotim Institute (Day Trip)

Just 60 km from BH lies Inhotim, the largest open-air contemporary art museum in Latin America.

Art installations + botanical gardens

Works by Hélio Oiticica, Yayoi Kusama, Olafur Eliasson, and more

Requires a full day (or two) to explore

🌿 A perfect blend of culture and nature.

3. 🛍️ Stroll Through Mercado Central (Central Market)

This massive covered market has been the heartbeat of local life since 1929.

Try or buy:

Doce de leite (milk caramel)

Cheese from Serra da Canastra

Cachaça artesanal

Handmade crafts, hammocks, herbs, and souvenirs

🧀 This is a gastronomic and sensory experience you can’t miss.

4. 🎭 Explore Praça da Liberdade Cultural Circuit

A former government plaza turned into a cultural hub surrounded by elegant gardens and historical buildings.

Top museums:

CCBB BH – Bank of Brazil Cultural Center (free entry, art exhibitions)

MM Gerdau Museum of Mines and Metal

Museu das Telecomunicações

🖼️ Great for history, science, and interactive exhibits.

5. 🌄 Hike to Mirante do Mangabeiras & Parque das Mangabeiras

For sweeping views of the city framed by mountains, head to:

Mirante do Mangabeiras – Free viewpoint at sunset

Mangabeiras Park – Trails, native flora, capuchin monkeys

🌳 A green escape right within the city.

🏞️ Day Trips from Belo Horizonte

🏘️ 1. Ouro Preto & Mariana

Colonial towns with baroque churches, gold rush history, and mountain charm.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Highlights: Church of São Francisco, Mine tours, cobblestone streets

Distance: ~100 km (2 hours)

🎨 2. Inhotim (Contemporary Art + Garden)

Mentioned above – a surreal outdoor museum not to be missed.

🏰 3. Sabará

Closer than Ouro Preto, this smaller colonial town offers:

Historical churches

Artisan sweets and cachaça

Heritage houses and quaint plazas

🍽️ What to Eat in Belo Horizonte

Minas Gerais is the culinary capital of Brazil, and BH is its showcase.

Must-try Dishes:

Feijão tropeiro – Beans, sausage, cassava flour, eggs

Pão de queijo – Chewy cheese bread (gluten-free)

Tutu de feijão – Bean purée with bacon

Frango com quiabo – Chicken with okra

Doce de leite – Rich, caramel-like dessert

Best Local Restaurants:

🍴 Xapuri – Rustic setting, classic mineiro food

🧀 Glouton – Contemporary Brazilian cuisine (Michelin-recognized)

🥘 Casa Cheia (in Mercado Central) – Casual, authentic eats

🍺 Duke’n’Duke – Pub-style burgers with a local twist

🍻 Belo Horizonte: Brazil’s Bar Capital

Known for having more bars per capita than any other city in Brazil, BH thrives on its boteco culture.

Where to go:

Savassi neighborhood – Trendy, youthful nightlife

Santa Tereza – Traditional samba bars and music venues

Lourdes – Upscale bar-restaurants with craft beer and cocktails

Try local brews from:

Backer – Award-winning craft beer

Krug Bier – Brewpub with German roots

Cervejaria Wäls – Innovative and flavorful

🥂 Happy hour starts early, ends late — embrace the boteco lifestyle.

🏨 Where to Stay in Belo Horizonte

🌟 Luxury

Hotel Fasano BH – 5-star, design-forward, perfect location

Radisson Blu BH – Stylish rooms, pool, and great service

💰 Mid-Range

Hotel Mercure Lourdes – Central, comfortable, reliable

eSuites Savassi – Great for families and longer stays

💵 Budget

Hostel BH – Social, clean, well-rated

Br Hostel – Located in Savassi, cozy and affordable

🏙️ Choose your base depending on your vibe — Savassi for nightlife, Lourdes for shopping, Pampulha for nature and architecture.

🚗 Getting Around Belo Horizonte

🚖 Uber/99 widely used, affordable

🚍 Public buses are extensive but can be confusing for non-Portuguese speakers

🚶 Central areas like Savassi, Lourdes, and Praça da Liberdade are walkable

🚗 Renting a car useful for day trips (Ouro Preto, Inhotim)

✈️ From Confins Airport: ~40 km to downtown; airport buses and taxis available

📅 Best Time to Visit

🎉 June–July have cooler nights and festivals like São João.

🎉 Events & Festivals

Comida di Buteco (April/May) – Culinary contest among city’s best bars

Arraial de Belo Horizonte (June) – Traditional dance and food festivals

BH International Short Film Festival – Celebrating cinema and creativity

Virada Cultural – 24-hour cultural marathon: music, art, theater

🎶 Music lovers will enjoy the city's love for samba, forró, rock, and MPB (Brazilian Popular Music).

🧳 Travel Checklist for Belo Horizonte

🧥 Light jacket (for cooler evenings in winter)

🩳 Light clothes for summer

🧴 Sunscreen and bug repellent

📲 Translate app (few speak English outside tourist centers)

💵 Brazilian reais (credit cards widely accepted)

🧀 Space in your suitcase for cheese and sweets!

📌 Why Belo Horizonte Is Worth Visiting

BH isn’t just a stopover city — it’s a destination in its own right. With:

World-class modernist architecture

Rich culinary and bar culture

Proximity to historical towns and nature

A relaxed, welcoming vibe

…Belo Horizonte invites you to slow down, sip some cachaça, and discover Brazil beyond the clichés.

✈️ Ready to Explore Belo Horizonte?

Whether you're an architecture buff, foodie, nature lover, or cultural explorer, Belo Horizonte has something unique to offer.

Get off the beaten path and discover the soul of Brazil in the heart of Minas Gerais.