Top 10 places in the South Zone

The South Zone, the most extensive of São Paulo, it is not only impressive because of its size, but also because of the large amount of attractions that it offers tourists and residents of the city. Options for lovers of culture, sports, nature and leisure are abundant in this region that features important parks, museums, cultural centers, libraries, stadiums and gymnasiums, among other spaces. To present you the best in the South Zone, we prepared a list of the 10 coolest points of this region. Check it out:

1 – Ibirapuera Park

Ibirapuera Park. Photo: Caio Pimenta/ SPTuris.

The most famous city park, Ibirapuera, which not long ago completed 60 years of activity, it is without any doubt one of the main touristic points of SP. Elected the best park in the country in 2013 and the eighth best in the world, Ibira has 1.5 million square meters, where it is possible to walk, ride a bike, as well as practice various activities in its many sports courts. In addition to its huge plant and animal diversity, the park is home to two well-known monuments of the capital, Obelisco and Monumento às Bandeiras.

2 – Museums

Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo. Photo: Jorge Nassyrios.

Ibirapuera is not just a leisure place, but also a cultural haven in which are located some of the main museums of São Paulo. The first of these, Museu de Arte Moderna – MAM (Museum of Modern Art), has a collection of 5.5 thousand pieces of photographs, drawings, paintings, among other forms of expression.

Museu Afro Brasil. Photo: José Cordeiro/ SPTuris.

Also inside the park, you will find Museu Afro Brasil, which highlights the importance of the African culture in the formation of Brazilian identity from the perspective of national and international artists.

Also near Ibira, the Museu de Arte Contemporânea – MAC (Museum of Contemporary Art) can be visited, whose collection of works traces a panorama of the evolution of art in the last century; the museum receives some of the most famous exhibitions of the city.

3 – Autódromo de Interlagos (Interlagos Racing Circuit)

Autódromo de Interlagos. Photo: José Cordeiro/ SPTuris.

Hosting several automobile events throughout the year, such as the Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix and the Formula Truck, the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, commonly called Autódromo de Interlagos, is a mandatory stop for fans of speed. The space does not receive only electrifying racings, but also contains the Kartódromo Ayrton Senna, which works as a racing school, and a perimeter Park open for the public on weekdays.

4 – Cinemateca

Cinemateca Brasileira. Photo: publicity.

One of the main audiovisual libraries of the American continent, Cinemateca Brasileira is one of the most beloved places by fans of the seventh art, who can appreciate sessions of restored classics as well as non-commercial movies for only R$ 8.

5 – Morumbi Stadium

Aerial view of Morumbi Stadium. Photo: Caio Pimenta/ SPTuris.

Known as Morumbi, the Cícero Pompeu de Toledo Stadium is among the most celebrated venue for sports decisions in São Paulo. Besides regularly hosting soccer matches, its structure also receives international concerts of stars such as Paul McCartney, Madonna, Beyoncé, among many others. It is also possible to take a guided tour through the place with Morumbi Tour.

6 – Centro Cultural São Paulo (São Paulo Cultural Center)

Centro Cultural São Paulo. Photo: Alexandre Diniz/ SPTuris.

Acting for more than three decades as one of the main cultural and leisure hubs of the city, the Centro Cultural São Paulo, also known as Centro Cultural Vergueiro for being located outside the bustling Vergueiro metro station, is a plural space that has a set of libraries, a hanging garden, rooms for theater and music performances, in addition to propagating different social, educational and community activities.

7 – Sesc Interlagos

Sesc Interlagos. Photo: Publicity

With 500 thousand square meters, Sesc Interlagos is a space that combines nature, leisure and fun. The unit has an Atlantic Forest reservation and more than 200 species of wild fauna, also serving as a stage for theatrical and musical performances and offering courses and workshops for people of all ages.

8 – Parque Zoológico de São Paulo (São Paulo Zoo)

Zoológico de São Paulo. Photo: Caio Pimenta/ SPTuris.

The Parque Zoológico of São Paulo, recently voted as the second best in the country and the fifth best in Latin America by TripAdvisor users, website specialized in tourism, allows the public to see endangered species among a wide range of animals. With daytime and nighttime visits, the Zoo also gives lectures and workshops about wildlife. Nearby, it is possible to visit the Zoo Safári, a tour in which you can see over 300 animals, organized into 18 distinct territories.

9 – Borboletário Águias da Serra (Butterfly House Águias da Serra)

Located in the extreme south of the capital, Borboletário Águias da Serra houses 3 thousand butterflies and 27 native species. The visitors still have the opportunity to see the lab, where caterpillars are bred from the egg until the pupa stage and later will compose the colorful local scene after the metamorphosis.

10 – Khan El Khalili

Oriental ritual of Khan El Khalili. Photo: publicity.

With 32 years of history, the traditional Egyptian tea house Khan El Khalili offers sensations of the Arab world in the biggest metropolis of the country. The delights of oriental cuisine, accompanied by traditional music and dances can be enjoyed in this immersive space.

Service:

Ibirapuera Park
Opening hours: everyday, from 5 am to midnight
Address: Av. Pedro Álvares Cabral, s/nº – Vila Mariana – South.
Phone: (11) 5574-5045.
Free entrance.

Museu de Arte Moderna – MAM

Opening hours: from Tuesday to Sunday and holidays, from 10 am to 6 pm (ticket office closes with 30 minutes in advance).
Location: Ibirapuera Park – Gate 3.
Address: Av. Pedro Alvares Cabral, s/n° – Vila Mariana.
Phone: (11) 5085-1300/ 5549-2342. (11) 5085-1313 (scheduling of groups).
Price: R$ 6. Free on Sundays.

Museu Afro Brasil

Opening hours: from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 5 pm
Location: Ibirapuera Park – Gate 10.
Address: Av. Pedro Alvares Cabral, s/n – Vila Mariana.
Price: R$ 6. Students and retirees pay half price. Free on Thursdays and Saturdays
Phone: (11) 3320-8900.

Museu de Arte Contemporânea (MAC)

Opening hours: Tuesdays from 10 am to 9 pm From Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
Free entrance.
Av. Pedro Álvares Cabral, 1301
Phone: 11 2648-0254

Autódromo de Interlagos

Address: Av. Senador Teotônio Vilela, 261 – Cidade Dutra – South Zone.

Cinemateca Brasileira

Address: Largo Senador Raul Cardoso, 207 – Vila Clementino – South Zone.
Phone: (11) 3512-6111.
Price: from R$ 4 to R$ 8

Estádio Cícero Pompeu de Toledo (Morumbi)

Address: Praça Roberto Gomes Pedrosa, s/nº – Morumbi – South Zone.

Centro Cultural São Paulo

Opening hours: from Monday to Sunday, from 9 am to 10 pm
Address: Rua Vergueiro, 1000 – Paraíso – South Zone.
Phone: (11) 3397-4002.
Free entrance.

Sesc Interlagos
Opening hours: from Wedneday to Sunday, from 9 am to 5 pm
Address: Av. Manuel Alves Soares, 1100 – Parque Colonial – South Zone.
Phone: (11) 5662-9500.

Zoológico de São Paulo

Opening hours: daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Address: Av. Miguel Estéfano, 4241 – Saúde – South Zone.
Phone: (11) 5073-0811.

Zoo Safári

Opening hours: from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 am to 5 pm
Address: Av. do Cursino, 6338 – Vila Moraes – South Zone.
Price: R$ 12 to R$ 25 with own vehicle, and R$ 10 to R$ 25, in a local van.
Phone: (11) 2336-2131/ (11) 2336-2132.

Khan El Khalili

Address: Rua Dr. José de Queirós Aranha, 320 – Vila Mariana – South Zone.
Check hours on the website.
Phone: (11) 5549-7989