Tourism in the city of São Paulo
[1][2][3] Despite its economic vitality, tourism is still a sector that exposes the severe socio-economic inequalities present in the place, given that, according to critics and scholars, a large part of São Paulo's cultural and tourist circuit excludes the city's own population from enjoying it, since it is located in the central metropolitan region.
[6] In 2016, in order to simplify tourist visits to São Paulo, the Circular Turismo SP, a double-decker tourist bus that travels around the city's main landmarks (Municipal Market, República, Pacaembu, MASP, Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo Cultural Center, Pátio do Colégio and Municipal Theatre), was implemented in the city, guaranteeing passenger comfort and safety.
At a cost of 40 reais, visitors can board and disembark unlimited times along the route and receive information about the history, architecture and culture of São Paulo.
[7] The local authority responsible for public projects and partnerships with private entities in the tourism sector in the city is SPTuris, which was known as Anhembi Turismo until 2005.
[8] São Paulo is the largest financial center in the country and has a vast amount of cultural facilities and leisure activities.
[12] In the square in front of the São Paulo Cathedral, there is a hexagonal totem made of marble and with a granite base; on the top, there is a bronze plaque with a partial map of the city of São Paulo with a symbol and the logo Touring Club do Brasil; on its sides, there is a marker indicating directions to 6 important points in Brazil, each with an indicative illustration.
In the southwest, the city of Santos is represented by a steamship, in the south, Paraná by an Araucaria tree, in the northeast, Rio de Janeiro by a banana tree and the Sugar Loaf, in the north, Minas Gerais by a mining equipment, in the northwest, Goiás by a drum used in mining, and in the southwest, Mato Grosso by the clothing of the bandeirantes.
[13] In 1946, the site was converted into a tourist attraction, and 15 years later, the Jaraguá State Park was created to give visitors access to the historic part of the place, such as the mansion of the bandeirante Afonso Sardinha, the area's oldest inhabitant.
[13] The peak can be reached in two ways: via a paved road, the Estrada Turística do Jaraguá, which starts at kilometer 18 of the Anhanguera highway, and via the Pai Zé Trail, a two-kilometer hike.
At the top, visitors can take advantage of the small snack bars and use the local parking lot, as well as enjoying the best view of the city.
[14] Due to its position as both a financial and cultural center for Brazil, São Paulo is responsible for hosting events of different content with an international dimension.
Along the route, there are electric trios from organizations linked to the LGBT movement and from commercial establishments (such as nightclubs), which play different types of music.
In 2015, global actresses Natasha Lyonee, Uzo Aduba and Samira Willey, from the famous series Orange is the New Black, attended the event.
[19][20] According to SPTuris, the LGBT Pride Parade occupies first place in the ranking of events that attract the most tourists to the city, followed by Virada Cultural, the Art Biennial, the International Motor Show and Formula 1.
[21] The Prova Ciclística 9 de Julho was created in 1932 by journalist Cásper Libero to honor the Constitutionalist Revolution that took place in the state of São Paulo.
Currently, it has gained even more prominence with the presence and participation of international personalities, such as American socialite Paris Hilton, actor Ashton Kutcher and actress, Demi Moore.
The Christmas trees at Ibirapuera, the Octávio Frias de Oliveira Bridge and the Guarapiranga Reservoir are the three largest in the city, with 70, 100 and 30 meters, respectively.
The São Paulo International Motor Show is an event held every two years at the Anhembi Park, which aims to showcase innovations in the automotive world, exhibiting cars and some sound equipment and products.
The celebration was inspired by the Parisian Nuit Blanche, which takes place every year in Paris with attractions that stretch into the early hours of the morning.
Lollapalooza has presented a wide variety of bands and helped expose and popularize artists such as Metallica, Alice in Chains, Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, The Cure, Primus, Rage Against the Machine, Soundgarden, Arcade Fire, Nine Inch Nails, Nick Cave, L7, Janes Addiction, X Japan, The Killers, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Smashing Pumpkins, Muse, Hole, 30 Seconds to Mars, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Lady Gaga, Franz Ferdinand, Hot Chip, Fun, The Chainsmokers, The Weeknd, Martin Garrix, among others.
[47] Beco do Batman is located in the Vila Madalena neighborhood, in São Paulo's West Zone, between Medeiros de Albuquerque and Gonçalo Afonso streets, close to the Clinicas Metro station.
The narrow alleyway is a well-known tourist attraction in the city, not only because it is located in a bohemian neighborhood with many bars and restaurants, but also because its walls are covered in graffiti, making it practically an open-air art gallery.
The walls of the alley have become so famous that they have often been the setting for advertising campaigns and professional photo shoots, making them one of the most significant tourist attractions for lovers of urban art.
As it is a very busy place, with around 400,000 people a day, it attracts many tourists, mainly because of the variety and low prices of different products in more than 3,500 points of sale.
It has been open since 1933, bringing São Paulo residents and tourists different types of leisure and culture, which come together with a variety of foods, both typical of each region and foreign.
Its architecture displays beautiful colored stained glass windows by Russian artist Conrado Sorgenicht Filho that depict the daily life of rural workers and farming.
