Brazil's Southern Region
The Ultimate Brazil Travel Guide: Porto Alegre
Experience the cultural heartbeat of Southern Brazil
Porto Alegre, the capital of the Rio Grande do Sul state, offers a rich cultural experience combining history, art, and a lively urban atmosphere. Nestled along the Guaiba River, the city is known for its diverse architecture, vibrant neighborhoods, and strong local traditions like chimarrão, the famous gaucho tea. Porto Alegre is also a key cultural hub, with its museums, theaters, and art galleries showcasing the region's artistic spirit.
Top 10 Things to See & Do in Porto Alegre
Walk through the Historic Centre: The area includes landmarks such as the Mercado Público Central, built in 1869, which houses over 100 stalls selling food, crafts and traditional products. Other notable sites include the Praça da Matriz and the Palácio Piratini.
Visit Fundação Ibere Camargo: An art museum located on the banks of the Guaíba River. The building was designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira and holds the works of Iberê Camargo as well as temporary exhibitions of contemporary art.
Relax in Parque Farroupilha (Redenção): A public park covering 37 hectares. It contains walking paths, lakes, gardens and a Sunday flea market where vendors sell antiques, books and local crafts.
See the sunset at the Guaíba River waterfront: The orla (riverfront promenade) stretches several kilometres and includes areas for walking, cycling and dining. It is a popular spot to watch the sunset over the water.
Explore the Museum of Art of Rio Grande do Sul (MARGS): Located in Praça da Alfândega, MARGS holds over 5,000 works, focusing on Brazilian and regional art from the 19th century to the present.
Tour the Arena do Grêmio or Estádio Beira-Rio: The two main football stadiums in the city. Tours include the stands, locker rooms, and club museums.
Visit the Casa de Cultura Mario Quintana: A cultural centre housed in the former Hotel Majestic. It contains theatres, cinemas, galleries, a library and spaces dedicated to the poet Mario Quintana.
Walk in Jardim Botânico de Porto Alegre: A botanical garden covering 39 hectares with more than 650 species of plants. It also has greenhouses, trails, and a museum of natural sciences.
Browse the Feira do Livro: Held annually in Praça da Alfândega since 1955, it is one of the largest open-air book fairs in Latin America. It includes author talks, book launches and cultural activities.
Visit the Planetário Professor José Baptista Pereira: Operated by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. It offers astronomy shows, educational exhibits and public observation sessions.
How long to spend in Porto Alegre
It is recommended to spend 2-3 days to see the top sights in Porto Alegre. Optionally, spend more days if you would like to take day trips to the wine region of Bento Gonçalves or nature areas such as Itapuã State Park.
Where to stay in Porto Alegre
The most popular areas for tourists to stay in Porto Alegre, considering safety, are Moinhos de Vento, Bela Vista and Cidade Baixa. Moinhos de Vento is an upper-income residential and commercial area with hotels, restaurants and the Parcão park. Bela Vista is a quiet residential neighbourhood with some boutique accommodation and easy access to dining options. Cidade Baixa is popular for nightlife, cafés and cultural venues, but visitors should take extra care at night.
Find cheap accommodation for your stay in Porto Alegre.
Where is Porto Alegre, Brazil
Quick Facts about Porto Alegre
Closest airport
Salgado Filho International Airport (POA)
Main bus terminal
Rodoviária de Porto Alegre
Main port
Porto de Porto Alegre
Population of Porto Alegre
1.33 million people (2022)
How to get to Porto Alegre
Salgado Filho International Airport is the main entry point, offering direct flights from major Brazilian cities like Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília, as well as some international destinations.
Porto Alegre is well connected by bus, with routes from Sao Paulo, Curitiba, Florianopolis, and other southern cities. The bus station, Rodoviária de Porto Alegre, is located in the city center and offers frequent services.
See all bus connections and find cheap tickets to Porto Alegre
How to get to Porto Alegre from Florianopolis
Florianopolis is well connected to Porto Alegre by both air and road. If you choose to travel by bus, the trip from the Florianopolis bus terminal, Rodoviária Rita Maria, takes around 6 to 7 hours. Buses run frequently throughout the day (tickets & timetable).
How to get to Porto Alegre from Foz do Iguacu
From the Rodoviária Internacional de Foz do Iguacu. There are long-distance buses to Porto Alegre, with the journey taking approximately 18+ hours (tickets & timetable).
How to get to Porto Alegre from Curitiba
Buses from Curitiba’s main terminal, Rodoviária de Curitiba, take about 12+ hours to reach Porto Alegre. Several companies operate overnight services, making this a convenient option if you want to save on accommodation (tickets & timetable).
How to get to Porto Alegre from São Paulo
While it is possible to travel to Porto Alegre by bus from Sao Paulo, this trip is long and it is more efficient to take a flight. Buses depart from São Paulo's Tietê Bus Terminal to Porto Alegre, and the journey takes 20+ hours (tickets & timetable).
Top tours in Porto Alegre
How to get around Porto Alegre
The city has a comprehensive public transportation system that includes buses and an urban train service called Trensurb. Both taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and 99 are widely available. Uber is often cheaper and more convenient than taxis for tourists, especially for trips to and from the airport or bus station.
How to get around Porto Alegre By Bus
Local buses are the most common way to get around. Tickets are purchased onboard for R$5.20 (2024 prices), and the city's main bus terminal connects to various parts of Porto Alegre and beyond.
How to get around Porto Alegre By Train (Trensurb)
The Trensurb urban train runs through the metropolitan area, making it an efficient way to reach some outer neighborhoods and nearby cities like Novo Hamburgo. The main station is connected to the bus terminal.
Things to know before you go
Best Time to Visit: The best months to visit Porto Alegre are from March to May and September to November when the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds. Summer (December to February) can be hot and humid, while winter (June to August) is cool but pleasant for sightseeing.
Weather: Porto Alegre has a subtropical climate, with hot summers reaching over 30°C (86°F) and mild winters, where temperatures can drop to 10°C (50°F). Be sure to pack accordingly depending on the season of your visit.
Chimarrão: Gauchos (residents of Rio Grande do Sul) are known for their warm hospitality and deep-rooted traditions. One such custom is chimarrão, a type of mate tea that is often shared among friends. Don't be surprised if you're offered a sip!
Sample gaucho cuisine: Don't miss out on trying traditional Brazilian barbecue (churrasco) at a local churrascaria
Safety Tips: Like any large city, Porto Alegre has areas where extra caution is advised. Stick to well-lit and populated areas, especially after dark, and use Uber instead of walking at night. The historic center is generally safe during the day, but always be aware of your surroundings.
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