Sights in The South
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Centro de Recepcão de Visitantes
The Itaipú Dam is highly impressive; at some 8km long and 200m high, it is a memorable sight, especially when the river is high and a vast torrent of overflow water cascades down the spillway. The Centro de Recepcão de Visitantes is 10km north of Foz. From here, regular tours ( visita panorâmica; R$19) run daily at 8am, 9am, 10am, 2pm, 3pm and 3:30pm; more detailed ones ( circuito especial; R$36), which take you into the power plant itself, leave daily at 8:30am, 9am, 10:30am, 11am, 2pm, 2:30pm, 4pm and 4:30pm. There are extra visits at weekends (when there are also floodlit night viewings available), as well as a variety of other attractions within the complex, includ…
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Parque das Aves
This 5-hectare bird park, located 300m from the entrance to Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, is home to 800-plus species of birds, including red ibis, bare-throated bellbird, and flamingos galore. They live in 8m-high aviaries that are constructed right in the forest. Other exhibits are devoted to snakes, butterflies and other species.
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Parque Nacional do Iguaçu
You can’t miss the shiny entrance to the Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, which houses bathrooms, ATMs, lockers, souvenir shops and vast parking facilities. Once you buy your ticket, you will be directed to board a free double-decker bus.
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Praça XV de Novembro
The center of town is the inviting Praça XV de Novembro with its shady walks and 100-year-old fig tree. The Museu Histórico de Santa Catarina sits on one side of the square, while the Catedral Metropolitana sits grandly at the high end. The best-preserved colonial church in Florianópolis, Igreja de NS do Rosário, sits picturesquely atop the steps at Rua Trajano.
At the other end of the square, the busy promenade, Rua Felipe Schmidt, is fine for people-watching and window-shopping. Or continue down to the waterfront to the well-preserved Alfândega (customs house) and Mercado Municipal (municipal market).
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Museu Oscar Niemeyer
North of the center, the Museu Oscar Niemeyer was designed by and named for the architect responsible for much of Brasília. The exotic, eye-shaped building is painted with whimsical dancing figures in bold colors. Rotating exhibits highlight Brazilian and international artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. The museum is a brisk 30-minute walk from the city center, or you can take the Linha Turismo.
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Parque Floresta Encantada de Canela
About 3km from Caracol, the Parque Floresta Encantada de Canela offers a perspective from across the canyon. A teleférico (chairlift) travels 830m up and down the mountainside, providing 20 minutes’ worth of fabulous views of the canyon, the waterfall and Gramado in the distance. You can get off at either end and hike back to the entrance.
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Cathedral Metropolitana
This early-20th-century neoclassical cathedral is a Porto Alegre landmark. It sits atop the hill that divides downtown from a series of prosperous neighborhoods that are clustered around Parque Farroupilha, the city's largest green space. An impressive building with domes, stained glass and exquisite architectural details galore, it is well worth a visit.
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Museu de Arte do Rio Grande do Sul
A pedestrian promenade runs into Praça da Alfândega, the leafy square that is home to the Museu de Arte do Rio Grande do Sul. The neoclassical building is an impressive venue for regional artists. On the ground floor, the inviting Bistrot de MARGS takes advantage of the leafy setting, which is a lovely spot for lunch.
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Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia
The Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia is the huge, impressive science museum of the Pontifícia Universidade Católica. Exhibits cover everything from astronomy to physics to biology, with plenty of opportunities for hands-on experimentation. Take bus 343 or 353 from the Mercado Público.
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Parque Farroupilha
Porto Alegre's largest park, the 37-hectare (91-acre) Parque Farroupilha, also known as Redenção, is a local favorite. On Sundays, a sprawling flea market is held here; on every other day, you can enjoy its varied plantlife, explore its many monuments, and soak up its peaceful green vibes.
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Jardim Botânico
In the far south of the city, the Jardim Botânico is a vast, flower-filled expanse, studded with sculpture and crisscrossed by walking paths. The centerpiece glass and metallic greenhouse is more interesting as a decorative showpiece than as a botanical wonder.
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Museu Histórico de Santa Catarina
The Museu Histórico de Santa Catarina was formerly the colonial governor’s palace. The building, boasting ornate parquetry floors and outrageous 19th-century ceilings, houses indigenous and colonial artifacts and hosts interesting temporary exhibitions.
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Catedral Metropolitana
Catedral Metropolitana sits grandly at the high end of the Praça XV de Novembro, covered by scaffolding at the time of research. The best-preserved colonial church, Igreja de NS do Rosário, sits picturesquely atop the steps at Rua Trajano.
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Avenida Beira Mar Norte
North of the center, Av Beira Mar Norte runs along the coast of the Baía Norte. The waterfront promenade attracts runners, bikers and walkers, enjoying the breeze off the bay and a sweeping view across to the mainland.
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Torre Panorâmica
For an overview of Curitiba, head to the 109m-high Torre Panorâmica, offering 360-degree views from its observation deck. Walk about 2km west from Largo da Ordem, or take the Linha Turismo.
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Parque da Ferradura
A 6km hike from Caracol brings you to Parque da Ferradura, named for the 420m horseshoe-shaped canyon formed by the Rio Santa Cruz. Well-marked trails take you to three lookouts.
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Rua Felipe Schmidt
At the other end of the square, the busy promenade, Rua Felipe Schmidt, is fine for people-watching and window-shopping (there's also an active black market for cash dollars...)
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Ecomuseu
If you are wondering how construction of the Itaipu dam affected the area’s flora and fauna, check out the Ecomuseu.
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Museu Histórico Júlo de Castilhos
The Museu Histórico Júlo de Castilhos displays gaúcho artifacts in a typical 19th-century home.
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