Go shopping must be included in a 'things-to-do' list here and districts like Brás and Bom Retiro and 25 de Março Street are the main stop.

Brás was the first industrial center in São Paulo and, since them, has been established as a work class district, where Italian, Portuguese and Spaniards used to live in the beginning. After them, Greek, Lebanese and, more recently, Korean and Bolivian. Today, the area is full of clothing shops, especially in the neighborhoods of Largo da Concórdia and Oriente Street. According to Shop Association of Brás (Alobrás), this district holds 6,000 commercial establishments within its 3km extension and 55 streets. Between 250,000 to 500,000 people (in celebrations) from the whole Brazil and some–parts of the world.

Bom Retiro is also a reference in clothing. An area for weekend houses became, in 1828, a mandatory way for those immigrants who arrived in Brazil. In the 1950s, this area started a strong commercial power along six blocks on José Paulino Street, (Immigrants Street until 1916). Today 1,200 shops are an attraction for those who love to follow the fashion.

Terminal 25 de Março is one of the main visitor’s reception centers in Brazil. Close to the street with the same name, this terminal is the entry to more than 3,000 companies (300 street shops and 2,700 spread over several buildings, galleries and close streets).

Walking on 25 de Março Street is the best option to buy accessories, toys, decoration articles and other home objects. On Ladeira Porto Geral, brides find fancy dresses and funny accessories for their wedding party.

Give a break for shopping and enjoy a visit to São Bento Monastery and Mercadão (Municipal Market), close to 25 de Março Street. This monastery is a must-to-see attraction, where you can hear Gregorian chants from Monday to Sunday; that is also where Pope Benedict XVI spent their days in São Paulo during his visit in 2007. Municipal Market is a national reference due to a huge diversity of tastes, smells and colors of fruits, vegetables, wine, cheese, chocolate, meet, seafood, chicken and, of course, the famous cod pastry and mortadella sandwich.

Service:
Brás - subway Brás - line 2 (red)
Shop Association of Brás (Alobrás)
Phone: (5511) 2694-0823 / 2796-7861

Bom Retiro - subway Luz – line 1 (blue)
Committee of Shop Owners of Bom Retiro (CDL)
Phone: (5511) 3361-9984 / 3361-4152

25 de Março - subway São Bento – line 1 (blue)
Union of shop owners of 25 de março and neighborhoods (Univinco)
Phone: (5511) 3313-2782 / 3326-1039