Curitiba

While not necessarily sexy, Curitiba has long garnered praise for being one of the world’s best models of urban planning, mainly due to the bold initiatives of its three-term mayor, Jaime Lerner, whose daring moves in the early 1970s transformed a six-block length of downtown into a pedestrian zone (done in secret under the cover of darkness), created five express-bus avenues with futuristic tubular boarding platforms, encouraged recycling and sustainable design long before it was fashionable, and planted trees and created parks on an enormous scale.

Curitiba has also taken innovative approaches to urban ills such as homelessness, pollution and poverty, and it’s now the envy of urban planners the world over and the country's most efficient city. With its abundant green spaces, sophisticated population and well-heeled infrastructure, this is a good spot to recharge your batteries and enjoy Brazil at its functioning best.

Explore Curitiba

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Museu Oscar Niemeyer
Designed by and named for the architect responsible for much of Brasília, this striking museum features an iconic eye-shaped tower painted with whimsical…
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Feira do Largo
On Sundays, Largo do Ordem and Praça Garibaldi host a lively art and artisan market with more than 1000 stalls.
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Largo da Ordem
Curitiba's colonial heart. Here, the pedestrian-only cobblestone streets are lined with beautifully restored buildings, many of which now house trendy art…
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Paço da Liberdade
Curitiba's historic Old City Hall was inaugurated in 1926 and designed by then-mayor Cândido Ferreira de Abreu, who was responsible for many of the city's…
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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…
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Palácio Belvedere
Built in 1923, this modest art nouveau construction was originally designed to be a city lookout. It was left to die and gutted by fie in 2017, but the…
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Teatro Guaíra
This premier state-run theater in Curitiba is home to the Paraná Symphony Orchestra (Orquestra Sinfônica do Paraná), and also hosts other dance and…
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Oi Torre Panorâmica
For an overview of Curitiba, head to the 109m-high Torre Panorâmica, offering 360-degree views from the observation deck.
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Catedral Basílica de Curitiba
Inaugurated in 1893 and completely restored in 2012, Curitiba's neo-Gothic main cathedral – inspired by Barcelona's metropolitan cathedral – isn't one of…

M
Museu Oscar Niemeyer
Designed by and named for the architect responsible for much of Brasília, this striking museum features an iconic eye-shaped tower painted with whimsical…
F
Feira do Largo
On Sundays, Largo do Ordem and Praça Garibaldi host a lively art and artisan market with more than 1000 stalls.
L
Largo da Ordem
Curitiba's colonial heart. Here, the pedestrian-only cobblestone streets are lined with beautifully restored buildings, many of which now house trendy art…
P
Paço da Liberdade
Curitiba's historic Old City Hall was inaugurated in 1926 and designed by then-mayor Cândido Ferreira de Abreu, who was responsible for many of the city's…
J
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…
P
Palácio Belvedere
Built in 1923, this modest art nouveau construction was originally designed to be a city lookout. It was left to die and gutted by fie in 2017, but the…
T
Teatro Guaíra
This premier state-run theater in Curitiba is home to the Paraná Symphony Orchestra (Orquestra Sinfônica do Paraná), and also hosts other dance and…
O
Oi Torre Panorâmica
For an overview of Curitiba, head to the 109m-high Torre Panorâmica, offering 360-degree views from the observation deck.
C
Catedral Basílica de Curitiba
Inaugurated in 1893 and completely restored in 2012, Curitiba's neo-Gothic main cathedral – inspired by Barcelona's metropolitan cathedral – isn't one of…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Curitiba.

See
Museu Oscar Niemeyer
Designed by and named for the architect responsible for much of Brasília, this striking museum features an iconic eye-shaped tower painted with whimsical…
See
Feira do Largo
On Sundays, Largo do Ordem and Praça Garibaldi host a lively art and artisan market with more than 1000 stalls.
See
Largo da Ordem
Curitiba's colonial heart. Here, the pedestrian-only cobblestone streets are lined with beautifully restored buildings, many of which now house trendy art…
See
Paço da Liberdade
Curitiba's historic Old City Hall was inaugurated in 1926 and designed by then-mayor Cândido Ferreira de Abreu, who was responsible for many of the city's…
See
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…
See
Palácio Belvedere
Built in 1923, this modest art nouveau construction was originally designed to be a city lookout. It was left to die and gutted by fie in 2017, but the…
See
Teatro Guaíra
This premier state-run theater in Curitiba is home to the Paraná Symphony Orchestra (Orquestra Sinfônica do Paraná), and also hosts other dance and…
See
Oi Torre Panorâmica
For an overview of Curitiba, head to the 109m-high Torre Panorâmica, offering 360-degree views from the observation deck.
See
Catedral Basílica de Curitiba
Inaugurated in 1893 and completely restored in 2012, Curitiba's neo-Gothic main cathedral – inspired by Barcelona's metropolitan cathedral – isn't one of…

Guidebooks

Learn more about Curitiba

Uncover the heart of travel and be inspired to see new sights with one of Lonely Planet’s in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.