French
Deutsch
.jpg)
The Southeast of São Paulo transitions between its historic center, its wealthy business areas and its working-class residential areas, containing some of the most important historic buildings in the city, popular shopping areas, opportunities for nature and animal sightseeing, plus cool restaurants and bars. In a sense, it has a bit of everything the city offers, condensed into one region. In the past, the region was an industrial and residential area, with its population mostly composed of foreign immigrants, which painted the profile of the current residents. Alongside the world-famous Ipiranga Museum, the Southeast contains other unique attractions such as the largest zoo in Brazil, an aquarium and multiple parks.
The Southeast is divided into 15 districts, grouped into four subprefectures:
- Mooca subprefecture: Pari, Brás, Belém, Tatuapé, Mooca, Água Rasa.
- Ipiranga subprefecture: Ipiranga, Cursino, Sacomã.
- Aricanduva subprefecture: Carrão, Vila Formosa, Aricanduva.
- Sapopemba-Vila Prudente subprefecture: Vila Prudente, São Lucas, Sapopemba.
Understand
[edit | edit source]
In the first half of the 20th century, the Southeast was mostly occupied by industries and neighborhoods inhabited by its employees, with a large number of those being foreign immigrants. During São Paulo's great economic and population growth during the second half of the 20th century, industries have been replaced by services, or moved to peripheral areas of the city. Foreign immigrants and their descendants advanced to middle and high social classes.
Nowadays, the Southeast remains heavily populated by immigrant families, mostly Italians, but also Spanish, Japanese (most from Okinawa), Portuguese, Lithuanian, Lebanese, Koreans and Yugoslavians. There is also a large number of migrants from the Northeast of the country. Verticalization has accelerated and progressed towards the east part of the region. This is attracting shops and restaurants to the area, but it is also causing issues, such as increased traffic and pollution.
Buildings from the industrial era of the region are mostly gone, with a significant number of them only remaining in the Brás and Belém districts. Tatuapé is the center of gastronomy, shopping and nightlife in the Southeast. Brás is also one of the busiest centers of popular commerce in São Paulo, and it is particularly important for the Christian Pentecostal community: the district is home to the central churches of Congregação Cristã and Igreja Mundial do Poder de Deus, and the colossal cathedral of Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus, a replica of King Solomon's temple.
Get in
[edit | edit source]
By public transport
[edit | edit source]The region is served by lines 2 (Green), 3 (Red) and 15 (Silver) of the city's Metro system, and Line 10 (Turquoise) of the train line. Line 3 is one of the busiest in the city, as it serves many worker neighborhoods. This makes it quite full during rush hour, so avoid it during those hours if you value space. Three of the most useful stations include 1 Ipiranga., 2 Imigrantes. and 3 Tatuapé.. Those get you to a lot of attractions, or to buses that take you to them.
8 of the 15 districts have no metro/train stations, making buses the only available public transport to reach them. Getting to the closest rail station, then taking a bus on a stop close to it is a good way of quickly getting to those further-out attractions. If going to the zoo, the bus terminal Pq. Dom Pedro II (Downtown) and the metro stations Saúde and São Judas (South Central) have buses that go directly to it, those buses are named "Zoológico".
By car
[edit | edit source]The Radial Leste-Oeste links the Southeast to the Far East and Downtown regions, Marginal Tietê links it to the Northeast, and Av. Dr. Ricardo Javet, together with Av. Pres. Tancredo Neves, links it to the South Central.
By bicycle
[edit | edit source]The Radial Leste cycleway (see the São Paulo main article) is partially located in the Southeast. The regions also contains the Adutora Rio Claro cycleway, a 7km stretch which crosses Av. Sapopemba, R. Germínio Gomes da Silva and Pç. Felibserto da Silvia, taking you through the suburban district of Sapopemba. It has some serious slopes, making parts of it not very suitable for amateur cyclists.
See
[edit | edit source]Southeast São Paulo offers impressive sights that take you through the history of both São Paulo and Brazil at large, alongside opportunities for tranquil leisure at parks.
Museums and architecture
[edit | edit source].jpg)
- 1 Casa do Grito, Pç. do Monumento, ☏ +55 11 2273-4981, museudacidade@prefeitura.sp.gov.br. Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00. For the longest time, this historical house was believed to be the one featured in the "Independence or Death" painting by Pedro Américo, depicting the cry for Brazil's independence that happened in the region. In spite of that belief ending up untrue, historians found historical value in its construction and design, depicting how Brazil's lower-class architecture shaped out in the 19th century.
- 2 Casa do Sítio Tatuapé, R. Guabijú, 49 (near Tatuapé station), museudacidade@prefeitura.sp.gov.br. Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00. One of the oldest houses of São Paulo, constructed by an early explorer (bandeirante) between 1668-1698. Now it hosts cultural activities. Free.
- 3 Monumento à Independência, Pç. do Monumento, ☏ +55 11 2068-0032, museudacidade@prefeitura.sp.gov.br. 24/7 (crypt temporarily closed). A huge monument dedicated to D. Pedro I, the emperor who started Brazil's independence, alongside the many people who fought for it. The remains of D. Pedro I, Empress Leopoldina and Empress Amélie of Leuchtenberg are inside a crypt below it.
- 4 Museu de Imigração do Estado de São Paulo (Memorial do Imigrante), R. Visconde de Parnaíba, 1316 (near Brás station), ☏ +55 11 2692-1866. Tue-Sat 09:00-18:00; Sun 10:00-18:00. From 1887 to 1978, this building hosted immigrants from other countries and other parts of Brazil that came to São Paulo in search of work and opportunity. Now, the building is a museum about the history of immigration in the state. Attractions include a replica of a 19th-century coffee farm and a 1-km ride on a steam locomotive. R$16 (visit), R$40 (train ride).
- 5 Museu do Ipiranga (Museu Paulista da Universidade de São Paulo), Pq. da Independência (near Ipiranga station), ☏ +55 11 2065-8000. Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00. São Paulo's most important historical museum, built in an eclectic style, tells the history of the Brazilian society, the Independence of Brazil (which happened where the Ipiranga district sits now), and the importance of people of the state of São Paulo, the Paulistas. R$30 (free on Wednesdays).
- 6 Museu de Zoologia da USP (USP's Zoology Museum), Av. Nazaré, 481 (near Alto do Ipiranga station), ☏ +55 11 2065-8100, mz@usp.br. Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00. A showcase of fauna through taxidermy, skeletons and fossils. It includes dinosaurs, early humans, recently extinct and extant species. Free.
- 7 Santuário Santa Isabel Rainha (Santa Isabel Rainha Sanctuary), Al. Rainha Santa, 322, ☏ +55 11 2781-1048, santaisabelrainha1950@gmail.com. Tue-Thu Sat 09:00-12:00 13:00-17:30; Fri 09:00-12:00 13:00-16:30; Sun 07:00-11:30. Church projected by Benedito Calixto, sitting on a small hill in a peaceful residential area between Carrão and Vila Formosa. It was built in a Neoclassic-Roman style and has a 90-meter-high tower, which can be visited.
- 8 Templo do Salomão (Solomon's Temple), Av. Celso Garcia, 605 (near Brás station), ☏ +55 11 3573-3535. 24/7. This large and expensive replica of the temple in Jerusalem includes a garden and a recreation of the Ark of the Covenant inside.
- 9 Vila Maria Zélia (entrance at crossing between R. dos Prazeres and R. Cachoeira). This historical neighborhood was built in 1917 to be the home of workers of Companhia Nacional de Tecidos de Juta, a textile factory. The architecture and many buildings from that time remain, although only the church is completely preserved.
Parks and nature
[edit | edit source]
- 10 Aquário de São Paulo (São Paulo Aquarium), R. Huet Bacelar, 407 (near Imigrantes station), ☏ +55 11 2273-5500, sav@aquariodesaopaulo.com.br. Daily 09:00-18:00. The largest oceanarium in South America, with 1 million liters of seawater and 300 different animal species, including a polar bear. Tickets have to be bought in advance, and you have to choose the time of your visit. R$300 (R$120 on Mondays).
- 11 Cemitério da Vila Formosa (Vila Formosa Cemetery), Av. João XXIII, 2537. 24/7. With 780,000 m², Cemitério da Vila Formosa is the largest necropolis of Latin America, with most of the 1.5 million buried people being poor or middle-class citizens. Interestingly, the cemetery is used for leisure and sports by locals, as it is the only green area of the surrounding neighborhoods. The cemetery is also known for being the site of historic pictures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, showing dozens of people buried during 2020-2021.
- 12 Parque Estadual Fontes do Ipiranga (Parque do Estado), Av. Miguel Estefno, 3031 (buses available from Jabaquara station). Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00. Consists of a large patch of Atlantic rainforest, with more than 5 million m², with a portion is open for visits.
- 13 Parque Zoológico de São Paulo (São Paulo Zoo), Av. Miguel Estefno, 4241, ☏ +55 11 5073-0811, atendimento@zoologico.com.br. Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00; Sat Sun 08:30-18:00. The largest zoo in Brazil has about 825,000 m², and exhibits more than 3,200 animals. The "Simba Safari" tour allows you to see free animals in the wild area of the park. R$100.
- 14 Jardim Botânico de São Paulo (São Paulo Botanical Garden), Av. Miguel Estéfano, 3031, ☏ +55 11 4934-6804. Daily 09:00-17:00. A 360,000-m² space containing gardens and lakes, with many species of local flora and birds. A great option for walks and picnics, with the plant that named the country (pau-brasil) having its own area in the garden. R$40.
- 15 Parque CienTec da USP (São Paulo University's Science and Technology Park), Av. Miguel Estefno, 4200, ☏ +55 11 2648-4312, agendaparque@usp.br. daily 09:00-16:00. Nature park with scientific exhibitions, including a telescope. Free.
- 16 Parque do Piqueri, R. Tuiuti, 515, ☏ +55 11 2097-2213. daily 06:00-18:00. A small, chill park with a library, bird viewing and reading areas.
Do
[edit | edit source]
Association football is one of the most remarkable traits of the Southeast. The region is home to Associação Portuguesa de Desportos, a club that also usually runs in the 1st division, associated with the Portuguese community, and Clube Atlético Juventus, a minor but traditional club, connected to the Italian community in the city.
- 1 Estádio Alfredo Schürig (Fazendinha), R. São Jorge, 777 (accessible from Marginal Tietê), ☏ +55 11 2095-3000. The 158,000-m² area is used for Corinthians' women's football matches and minor matches of their man's team. It is a private club with many sports facilities. It contains a museum of the football team, and a chapel where the supporters pray for its success in tournaments.
- 2 Estádio do Canindé (Estádio Doutor Osvaldo Teixeira Duarte), R. Comendador Nestor Pereira, 33 (near Tietê station), ☏ +55 11 4240-4595. Despite the association of the region with football, it contains only one stadium capable of hosting 1st division games, the Canindé, home to Associação Portuguesa de Desportos. Capacity for 27,000 people.
- 3 Parque CERET (Sport Workers' Park), R. Canuto Abreu (near Carrão station). Mon-Fri 06:00-22:00; Sat Sun 06:00-20:00. One of the largest and cleanest green areas of the city. It has many installations for practice of sports and the largest swimming pool of Latin America - which requires a special license to use. The first rugby field in the city is also available.
Events
[edit | edit source]
Immigrant communities will get you busy during Winter and Spring, with festivals full of food and music.
- Festa Junina da Portuguesa, R. Comendador Nestor Pereira, 33 (Estádio do Canindé). June. This version of the annual caipira festival by the Portuguesa team combines typical Brazilian and Portuguese customs. Music performances of both popular Brazilian artists and typical Portuguese dance and music groups can be found.
- Okinawa Festival, Pç. Haroldo Daltro, ☏ +55 11 2296-1120. July-August. This Okinawan cultural event has become one of the largest in the Southeast. It includes cultural presentations like the "Okinawa Taiko", which mixes music and dance, plus food from that region. Attracts around 20,000 visitors. Entry paid by donating 1kg of non-perishable food.
- Festa de San Gennaro, R. San Gennaro, 160, ☏ +55 11 3209-0089, secretaria@sangennaro.org.br. September-October. An Italian community festival around the Church of San Gennaro, happens every Saturday and Sunday night for 4 weeks. A smaller version of Festa de Nossa Senhora Acheropita (Downtown), includes Italian food, music and dancing, plus an optional paid cantina for those who want sit-down food. Attracts around 70,000 visitors. Free.
Buy
[edit | edit source]
The Southeast has a rich and diverse shopping scene. Much like the rest of São Paulo, it has both popular shopping streets, high-end malls and everything in between.
- 1 Brás (near Brás station). The Brás neighborhood is one of the busiest centers of popular commerce in the city, particularly of clothes, with shops typically owned by Arabs, Koreans and Chinese. Many clothes sold in local retailers around the city were produced in Brás. During the day, most shops can be found in and nearby R. Oriente, R. Maria Marcolina e Lg. da Concórdia. During the night (00:00-16:00), Feirinha da Madrugada happens, with shops concentrated in galleries and open-air spaces in and nearby R. Oriente, R. São Caetano and R. Monsenhor de Andrade.
- 2 Central Plaza Shopping, Av. Dr. Francisco Mesquita, 1000 (near Tamanduateí station), ☏ +55 11 97448-3456, toll-free: 0800-774-7083. Mon-Sat 10:00-22:00; Sun 14:00-20:00. A shopping mall that is popular among younger people for its bowling, billiards and game areas. Has 26 furnishing shops and a spacious parking lot. About 240 shops.
- 3 Mooca Plaza Shopping, R. Capitão Pacheco e Chaves, 313 (near Ipiranga station), ☏ +55 11 5108-1711. Mon-Sat 10:00-22:00; Sun 12:00-20:00. An upscale shopping mall that was created due to social ascension in the Mooca region. Offers a lot of pet-friendly features. About 232 shops.
- 4 Plaza Sul Shopping, Pç. Leonor Kaupa, 100, ☏ +55 11 3164-7839. Mon-Sat 10:00-22:00; Sun 12:00-20:00. Has a kids play area if you wanna shop without them. About 220 shops.
- 5 Pç. Sílvio Romero, Tatuapé (near Tatuapé station). The square and its surroundings — such as R. Serra de Bragança and R. Coelho de Lisboa — form an important middle class commercial area, that concentrates a large number of shops, bars, food trucks and services.
- 6 Shopping Anália Franco, Av. Regente Feijó, 1739, ☏ +55 11 4003-4133, sac@shoppinganaliafranco.com.br. Mon-Sat 10:00-22:00; Sun 14:00-20:00. The first shopping mall in the East with a more upscale profile. The favorite option of middle class and wealthy inhabitants of Tatuapé, Mooca and Vila Formosa. Includes a supermarket and a small open square. About 329 shops.
- 7 Shopping D, Av. Cruzeiro do Sul, 1100 (direct buses from Carandiru station), ☏ +55 11 4506-6000. Mon-Sat 10:00-22:00; Sun 11:00-22:00. This shopping mall is easy to spot from Marginal Tietê due to its colorful architecture and spinning roads that take you up to its parking lot. It has basic shops but features an arcade, a currency exchange station and a couple of amusement park-style rides. About 230 shops.
- 8 Shopping Metrô Boulevard Tatuapé, R. Gonçalves Crespo, 78 (near Tatuapé station), ☏ +55 11 2942-5800. Mon-Sat 10:00-22:00; Sun 14:00-20:00. Basically an extension of Shopping Metrô Tatuapé, constructed on the other side of the Tatuapé station. It is far less crowded than the nearby mall, making it popular among those who are after more leisure and less shopping, like couples. An area in the ground floor of the shopping mall hosts diverse expositions. About 150 shops.
- 9 Shopping Metrô Tatuapé, R. Domingos Agostim, 91 (near Tatuapé station), ☏ +55 11 2090-7400. Mon-Sat 10:00-22:00; Sun 14:00-20:00. This shopping mall, due to its connection to the busy Tatuapé metro, train and bus station, has become one of the most crowded shopping malls of the city. Has a very diverse public, frequented by people from various social classes coming from the East. A favorite among teenagers. It is also physically linked to Shopping Metrô Boulevard Tatuapé. About 300 shops.
Eat
[edit | edit source]
Tatuapé sees the most restaurant activity, with casual establishments and street food in its squares.
Budget
[edit | edit source]| This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink: | |
| Budget | Below R$ 50 |
| Mid-range | R$ 50-100 |
| Splurge | R$ 100+ |
- 1 Espetinho Giba 2, R. Baquiá, 70, ☏ +55 11 2098-3412. Tue-Sat 18:00-00:00. A favorite among locals of Carrão, owned by a Japanese family. Serves skewers (chicken, beef, cheese, bread and others), which may be accompanied by Japanese rice balls (onigiris). R$15-20.
Mid-range
[edit | edit source]- 2 Burgguer's, R. Azevedo Soares, 1172, ☏ +55 11 2094-3940. Sun-Thu 11:30-00:00; Fri Sat 11:30-02:00. Old-school burger joint, with a straightforward menu. R$40-60.
- 3 La Pergoletta, R. Itapura, 1478, ☏ +55 11 2092-3330. Mon-Fri 12:00-15:00 18:00-23:00; Sat 12:00-23:00; Sun 12:00-17:00. Italian restaurant, specialized in pasta. Choose the pasta and sauce combination of your choice. R$80-100.
Splurge
[edit | edit source]- 4 Attrio Pizza, R. Eleonora Cintra, 310, ☏ +55 11 2673-2477, contato@attrio.com.br. Mon-Wed Sun 18:00-00:00; Thu-Sat 18:00-01:00. Elegant pizza house, with a long wine list. R$100-120.
- 5 Bracia Parrilla, R. Azevedo Soares, 1008, ☏ +55 11 2227-5510, contato@braciaparrilla.com.br. Sun Mon 12:00-17:00; Tue-Sat 12:00-00:00. Barbecue prepared by Uruguayan and Argentinian parrilleros. Features tango and rock presentations, plus a discounted lunch menu. R$120-150.
Drink
[edit | edit source].jpg)
The streets a few blocks from the Carrão station are full of bars, from the most basic and straightforward to fancy "gastrobars" with unique drinks and snacks.
- 1 Castelos Bar & Boardgames, R. Serra de botucatu, 995, ☏ +55 11 3564-0577. Wed-Fri 18:00-23:00; Sat 16:00-23:00; Sun 14:00-21:00. A bar with unique gimmicky drinks, snacks, burgers and a large selection of board and card games to play. The games are free, you pay only for food and drinks. Advance reservations are not required but recommended. R$30-50 for a drink.
- 2 Copacabana Bar, R. Coelho Lisboa, 537 (near Pç. Silvio Romero), ☏ +55 11 2941-0909, atendimento@copacabanabar.com.br. daily 11:00-02:00. Rio de Janeiro-themed bar, featuring an artisanal beer menu. Live Brazilian music on Fridays and Saturdays. R$20-30 for a drink.
- 3 Elídio Bar, R. Isabel Dias, 57, ☏ +55 11 2966-5805. Mon-Sat 11:00-23:00; Sun 12:00-18:00. Bar owned by Italians that serves 130 types of snacks. Football is the theme of the decoration. R$15-30 for a beer.
- 4 Jordão, R. Apucarana, 1462, ☏ +55 11 2671-0670. daily 12:00-22:00. Typical German pub, with one of the best beers in the city. Also has its own cocktail menu. R$20-30 for a beer.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]The Southeast is sufficiently further away from the busiest areas so that more affordable lodging (at least for São Paulo standards) can be found, including some decent deals in otherwise higher-end options.
- 1 Blue Tree Towers Anália Franco, R. Eleonora Cintra, 960, ☏ +55 11 2672-7000, reservas.analiafranco@bluetree.com.br. Modern suites with nice views of CERET Park. R$300-600.
- 2 São Paulo Tatuapé Affiliated by Meliá, R. Serra de Juréa, 351, ☏ +55 11 2942-4900, tatuape@melia.com. Variable room sizes, with cable TV, Internet, restaurant, swimming pool and sauna. Free parking on weekends. R$280-600.
Stay safe
[edit | edit source]The Southeast is relatively safe, and as proven by crime statistics, it is actually the safest region of São Paulo. The only area which is more dangerous than the average of the city is Vila Heliópolis, in the district of Sacomã, a neighborhood that was once the largest favela of São Paulo. Brás used to be a dangerous area in the past. Although there are still some run-down areas (typically the areas occupied by abandoned factories), today, the commercial center is relatively safe. Follow general safety warnings as in any crowded area.