Brasília, Brazil: travel guide
Brazil's modernist capital — UNESCO World Heritage. Niemeyer's National Congress, Metropolitan Cathedral, and Palácio da Alvorada form an open-air museum of 20th-century architecture.
- Country
- Brazil
- Currency
- BRL
- Time zone
- America/Sao_Paulo
- Nearest airport
- BSB
Top places to visit in Brasília
Congresso Nacional
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1 h
Oscar Niemeyer's masterpiece — twin 28-storey towers flanked by a concave bowl (Senate) and convex dome (Chamber of Deputies). Free guided tours available weekdays.
Catedral Metropolitana de Brasília
Church · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h
Niemeyer's 1970 crown-of-thorns concrete cathedral, with stunning stained glass interior. 16 curved columns represent the hands of the faithful reaching towards heaven.
Memorial JK
Museum · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · entry BRL 15
Monument and museum honouring Juscelino Kubitschek, the president who built Brasília. Houses his tomb and personal objects. The eternal flame burns outside.
Things to do
- Architecture Bike Tour of Brasília Cultural · 3 h · from 80 per person
- Kayak at Lago Paranoá Adventure · 2 h · from 80 per person
Where to stay in Brasília
- Asa Sul - Setor Hoteleiro Sul about BRL 380 per night
The designated hotel district of Niemeyer's planned city — walking distance to Congresso Nacional and the main sights. Hotel Nacional and many chain hotels here.
Hotels
- Royal Tulip Brasília Alvorada 5-star · BRL 550 to BRL 1,600 per night
- Hotel Nacional Brasília 4-star · BRL 320 to BRL 720 per night
Where to eat
- Restaurante Beirute bar, lebanese, sandwiches · about BRL 40 per person
- Pontão do Lago Sul varied, waterfront, contemporary · about BRL 100 per person
- Noura lebanese, middle-eastern · about BRL 90 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.