Two days in Sao Paolo: Planning a Layover
Having just two days in Sao Paolo is an almost impossible task to plan. How do you even start in a metropolis of 21 million people? Why even bother, and how did I get to this decision?
Well we (my wife and I) were on our way to Rio for a friends wedding September 2019. This was going to be our first trip to South America. Originally, we planned to spend 7 days in Rio.
However, based on pricing through American Airlines it turned out that flying into Sao Paolo and leaving from Rio was less expensive compared to r/t through Rio. Go figure.
But we decided that we could do two days in Sao Paolo and have 5 days in Rio in order to maximize our 7 day trip.
After all, flight time was 12 hours, in addition to a connection in Dallas from Phoenix. Squeeze 2 major cities into a seven day trip that is 5800 miles away!
A good game plan is a must in order to enjoy two days in Sao Paolo. Almost any travel guide will mention the legendary Sao Paolo traffic. So that is a major factor to keep in mind.
The last thing you want is to spend half of your precious time in traffic.
After researching the top areas, sites, and restaurants it was clear that Jardim Paulista (The Jardin) was where most of our time would be spent.
We also decided on a foodie and shopping focused trip instead of sight seeing.
We knew we had a heavy sight seeing plan in Rio for the following 5 days. Plus a wedding and partying with friends!
I’ve put together this itinerary to cover how it can be done. In addition, I also list alternative choices we had researched. At first, I thought the layover would be too hectic.
There is lots to do and see. Consequently, making informed decisions and having back up choices is key to maximizing your fun and enjoyment.
Jump ahead to:
Two Days in Sao Paolo: Day One
We arrived Sunday morning in Sao Paolo’s major international airport (GRU). A few travel guides mentioned Sunday morning traffic is lighter.
Our driver strongly agreed and said travel time could be double during the work week.
We booked a well reviewed airport transfer service. The company was Mundi Executive Transport Service. The driver and service was excellent.
I highly recommend booking a private driver. The service saved time and we enjoyed a stress free trip to our hotel.
This was important to us after travelling for almost 21 hours. This is not the least expensive option, but based on time and comfort it was well worth it.
We stayed at the Four Seasons Sao Paolo. Expedia had a great rate and we had never stayed in a Four Seasons. So this added some extra excitement to the trip.
Also, the hotel was closer to the downtown airport ( Guaruhlos airport) that we were using for flying to Rio.
Our game plan was to have a hot shower and take a power nap to recharge. We arrived to the hotel at 8am and wanted to be on Avenida Paulista by 1pm. Airport arrival was 6am.
Mid-Day
We booked an Uber to get to Avenida Paulista from our hotel. Avenida Paulista is the main street and hub for Sao Paolo.
It is commonly compared to the Champs Elysee in Paris or Times Square in New York City.
On Sunday it is closed to car traffic. Therefore, A.Paulista becomes a lively pedestrian street festival. Expect lots of music, roller blades, bikes, and comraderie. It is a great introduction to the city.
We grabbed our first acai smoothie from a shop and joined the crowd. Acai is a super food and can be found everywhere in Brazil.
From here we took a short walk to Rua Oscar Freire to find top shopping, fashion boutiques, and lively cafes and restaurants.
Havaiana’s has a signature shop in the area, as well as Schutz Brazilian shoes.
We stopped inside Carlos’ Bakery (R. Bela Cintra, 2182 – Jardim Paulista) to refuel on some tasty treats!
Other notable names we passed were Louis Vuitton, Zegna, Nespresso, and Cavalli. Some great restaurants are also close by such as Fasano and Figuiera Rubiyat.
Before leaving for Brazil we had pre-booked an early dinner reservation at Bagatelle for 4:30pm. But we did make a note of Figuiera Rubiyat for lunch on day 2.
Alternative choices/things to do in the Av. Paulista area:
- Museum of Modern Art (MASP). It is considered one of the top museums in Sao Paolo.
- In addition, Trianon Park offers a nice green space among the busy buildings and shops.
Early Appetizers and Drinks
Sao Paolo is a fabulous food destination. With its diverse culture you will have the selection among the worlds best cuisines and restaurants. It is definitely a foodie lovers paradise.
The only real problem on such a short trip is attempting to fit in as much as possible.
I also recommend making your dinner reservations before your trip. Especially for the more popular and in-demand restaurants.
We pre-booked Bagatelle (based on our friends recommendation) for early dinner. Our plan was just drinks and appetizers, and light plates. This was only our first stop of the evening!
Bagatelle 
Grilled Octopus
Bagatelle (R. Amauri, 244 – Itaim Bibi, São Paulo) is a lively restaurant specializing in French food. The restaurant is known for great dj’s and social scene as the night goes on.
Being a little early we were happy to enjoy caipirinha’s and small plates in a beautiful setting. This is definitely a fun spot to come with a group of friends for late dinner, party and socializing.
Drinks with a View
For part 2 of the evening we headed over to the Skye Bar at the Unique Hotel. This is a beautifully designed hotel with a great open-air rooftop bar and restaurant.
The views of the Sao Paolo skyline are amazing. You also get a great view of the Ibirapeura Park. From the rooftop you really appreciate the immense size and scale of this city.
We made it in time for sunset and stayed for drinks and lots of photos. The Skye Bar vibe is laid back and there is plenty of space to relax on loungers. This rooftop ranks among the best in the world. Enjoy 360 degree views of the Sao Paolo skyline.
I highly recommend a rooftop bar to appreciate the Sao Paolo skyline. Travel time to the Unique Hotel was 10 minutes (2.2 km) from Bagatelle by Uber.
Alternative Choice for a rooftop view:
Terraço Italia sits atop one of the tallest buildings in Sao Paolo. Enjoy drinks and food with a stunning panoramic view of the city.
Dinner
Our final part of the evening was dinner. We chose Suri Ceviche Bar in the Pinheiros neighborhood. Travel time by Uber was 20 minutes (4km) from the rooftop bar.
Suri is a quaint restaurant that specializes in ceviche & Andean dishes. The restaurant has a chill atmosphere and I would say the best ceviche dishes I’ve ever had.
If we had an extra day or two, Suri would have been on the repeat list. They also have a great mixologist for some inventive cocktails.
Excellent ceviche at Suri’s Suri’s outstanding ceviche
Two Days in Sao Paolo: Day 2
The Four Seasons Hotel was out of the hustle and bustle of downtown Sao Paolo. We quite enjoyed having a quieter location, a serene atmosphere, and five star service.
This hotel provided a good balance for the trip. We knew Rio was also going to be a bit fast paced.
We fit in a good workout at the hotel gym. Followed by a relaxing and light breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
Brazilian coffee is world class. So we really enjoyed sharing a pot of coffee before heading out on our planned day activities.
Mid-Morning Central Mercado Municipal
For our half-day plan we visited the Central Mercado. This market is quite large with about 300 stalls and vendors.
Expect to find lots of exotic fruit stands, fresh seafood, spices, and lunch counters. The market dates back to about 1933.
We sampled lots of dragon fruit, coconuts, and juicy oranges. One of the vendors created a snack bag of fruits and dates to keep us nourished.
The travel time was approximately 45 minutes from our hotel by Uber.
We didn’t try any hot foods from the lunch stalls. But the famous mortadella sandwiches looked really amazing from Bar do Mane. Maybe next time. We spent about an hour at the Mercado.
Early Afternoon: Coffee Pick-Me-Up
Being a coffee lover, it was important to visit a legendary coffee roaster in Brazil. A quick search led to the discovery of Coffee Lab. Founded by Isabela Raposeiras, Coffee Lab has been very well regarded as serving some of the best coffee.
If time permits, I strongly suggest a stop to enjoy a memorable coffee experience.
Coffee Lab was about a 30 minute trip from the Central Mercado by Uber. Also, it was not far from our next destination for lunch and shopping back at Jardim Paulista
Afternoon: Lunch & Shopping
A quick Uber ride of 10 minutes got us to Rua Oscar Freire for shopping and lunch. The timing worked out well as we arrived at Figueria Rubaiyat just after the business lunch crowd.
A striking 100 year+ old banyan tree sits in the middle of the iconic dining room. The beef is sourced from their own family-run cattle farms, and is considered some of the best.
Their seafood is also well regarded. If available, the highly recommended feijoada (national dish) is suggested as among the best around. This is a restaurant you don’t want to miss!
We had a tasty burrata salad and shared a seafood platter and a bottle of wine. The food and experience was divine.
With quite a bit of shopping done we headed back to the hotel to relax and get ready for dinner. Our schedule was flowing quite well and we had 3 hours for some down time.
Dinner
We made reservations for Nino’s Cucina Italiana Restaurant before leaving for Brazil. The restaurant list we considered was quite long and choosing just one was tough. Sao Paolo has a strong culinary scene.
Nino’s offers a fun and hip environment that pairs well with the food offerings. Classic Italian with inventive presentations from highly acclaimed Chef of the Year Rodolfo de Santis.
The restaurant is ideally situated along R. Jeronimo da Veiga. There are numerous bars, restaurants, and gelato spots to enjoy. The area has a great vibe with plenty of people enjoying pre-dinner drinks and cocktails.
Our last dinner and wine in Sao Paolo made us appreciate this foodie capital.
Nino Cucina Pasta Nino Cucina Tiramisu
Two Days in Sao Paolo: Alternative Choices
Having a good game plan for a trip like this is essential. If I had to change anything it would be substituting a half day in Ibirapuera Park (on Day 2). The park offers lots of walking and biking paths. In addition, there are several museums nearby.
I would also pick a hotel nearby Avenida Paulista. Most of the restaurants and shopping on our list were nearby and would save time in traffic. In addition, there is lots to do within walking distance.
Special Note: Four Seaons Hotel closed as of 12/20/2020. A new location may resurface
Sao Paolo is also home to the largest Japanese community (outside of Japan). The Liberdade neighborhood would be worth exploring and having dinner at Izakaya Issa.
Restaurants to consider with more time:
- D.O.M. a top Michelin star restaurant
- Mani another world class (top50) Michelin star restaurant
- Fasano top notch Italian restaurant in the Hotel of the same name
- La Cevicheria Peruana is another top ceviche restaurant in the Pinheiros District
Planning two days in Sao Paola can be overwhelming. However, with some good planning you can accomplish quite a bit. I recommend focusing in on the Jardim Paulista area.
Having more than two days in Sao Paolo would have been ideal to cover some museums. And of course eating some more tasty food!
Thanks for reading and following along. My Rio Guide is coming soon!
@Foody.Tipsy.Traveler | Kevin
To read more about Barcelona, click on my Barcelona travel guides:
