The Ultimate Brazil Travel Guide: Curitiba

Top 12 Things to See & Do in Curitiba

1. Visit the Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico de Curitiba): Opened in 1991, the garden is one of Curitiba’s most visited landmarks. It features a greenhouse inspired by the Crystal Palace in London, formal French-style gardens and a native forest area. The site includes the Botanical Museum, which holds one of Brazil’s largest collections of preserved plant species.

2. Explore the Oscar Niemeyer Museum (Museu Oscar Niemeyer): Known locally as the “Eye Museum” due to its distinctive design, it focuses on visual arts, architecture and design. The museum houses both permanent and rotating exhibitions from Brazilian and international artists.

3. Ride the Serra Verde Express to Morretes: This train ride covers 110 kilometres through the Serra do Mar mountains. The journey takes 3.5 hours and passes through the Atlantic Forest, 30 bridges and 14 tunnels. The destination, Morretes, is known for its colonial architecture and local dish called barreado.

4. Take a walk or bike ride in Barigui Park: One of Curitiba’s largest parks, covering over 1.4 million square metres. It includes bike paths, walking tracks, sports facilities and picnic areas. Capybaras and native birds are frequently seen.

5. Visit the Wire Opera House (Ópera de Arame) and Tanguá Park: The Wire Opera House is constructed with steel tubes and transparent panels and sits over a natural lake. It hosts concerts and theatrical performances. Nearby Tanguá Park features waterfalls, a lookout with city views, and a tunnel through a rock formation.

6. Walk through the historic centre of Curitiba (Largo da Ordem): This area includes colonial-era buildings, churches such as the Igreja da Ordem, and the Curitiba Memorial. On Sundays, the area hosts a large street market with arts, crafts and food. Nearby museums include the Museum of Sacred Art and the Paranaense Museum.

7. Visit the Ukrainian Memorial in Tingui Park: This wooden replica of a traditional Orthodox church honours Ukrainian immigrants. The site includes religious icons, embroidery and cultural artefacts. Tingui Park itself features native forest and walking trails along the Barigui River.

8. Go rock climbing at Pedra da Cruz: For those who love outdoor climbing, Curitiba offers organised and well-established climbing routes. Pedra da Cruz offers sport climbing routes on sandstone with views of the Escarpa Devoniana.

9. Take a day trip to São Luiz do Purunã: Located approximately 60 kilometres from Curitiba, this rural district is part of Balsa Nova municipality and sits along the Escarpa Devoniana. Activities include hiking, horseback riding, cycling, rock climbing and visiting local inns and ranches. The area is part of the Campos Gerais region.

10. Drive the Graciosa Road (Estrada da Graciosa): This 33 kilometre scenic road connects Curitiba to the coastal towns of Morretes and Antonina. It was built in the 19th century and descends through the Atlantic Forest. The route includes viewpoints, waterfalls, and picnic areas.

11. Visit the German Woods (Bosque Alemão): This park commemorates German immigrants and includes a timber-frame house, a library, a trail based on the Hansel and Gretel story, and a lookout tower with city views.

12. Explore Parque Estadual de Vila Velha: About 90 kilometres from Curitiba, near the city of Ponta Grossa, this state park features unique sandstone formations, sinkholes, and caves. Visitors can walk guided trails to see the rock formations, visit the Furnas (large water-filled craters) and the Lagoa Dourada (a spring-fed lake).

How long to spend in Curitiba

Spend a minimum of 3 days in Curitiba to visit the city centre, Curitiba's top sites and parks, and to take the Serra Verde Express Train. Spending additional days will allow you time to take day trips to Curitiba's nearby colonial towns and state parks.