Brazil's South-East Region
The Ultimate Brazil Travel Guide: Tiradentes
Known for its cobblestone streets, baroque churches, and the Maria Fumaça steam train, Tiradentes is a hotspot for cultural and gastronomy festivals.
Tiradentes is a historical town best known for its coloured colonial-era buildings, cobblestone streets, and baroque churches, such as the Igreja Matriz de Santo Antônio. The town is a hub for traditional Brazilian crafts and cuisine, with a focus on artisanal food and handmade goods. Tiradentes is also a starting point for the Maria Fumaça steam train, which connects to São João del Rei, offering views of the surrounding countryside. The town plays a central role in the history of Brazil’s independence movement and today is a venue for annual cultural events, including film and gastronomy festivals.
Top 10 Things to See & Do in Tiradentes
Visit Igreja de Stanto Antonio
Visit the Fountain of St. Joseph
Go on a day trip to Bochinho
Taste locally made cheese and cachacas
Go hiking in Serra de São José
Explore the eclectic Casa Torta
Visit the Padre Toledo Museum
Visit the Museum of St. Anne (Old Jailhouse)
Go a horse-carriage ride around the historic centre
Take a steam train ride to São João del Rei
How long to spend in Tiradentes
It is recommended to spend at least 3 days to see Tiradente's main historical sites, take a day-trip to Bichinho, and go for a hike to explore the surrounding nature.
See my full travel itinerary: How to spend 3 days in Tiradentes
Where to stay in Tiradentes
The main area to stay in Tiradentes is the historic town centre. The historic centre has most of the hotels, pousadas and restaurants, all within walking distance of the main square and other attractions.
Find cheap accommodation for your stay in Tiradentes, or check out my personal recommendations:
Hotels in Tiradentes
Hotel Ponta do Morro - features a garden deck with view of the mountains, pool and waterslide (availability)
Pousada Richard Rothe - features a large outdoor pool and amazing breakfast (availability)
Pousadas in Tiradentes
Pousada Berço Mineiro - budget friendly guesthouse with a homemade breakfast (availability)
Pousada Pequeno Oásis - romantic studio apartments with bathtubs (availability)
Pousada Ouro de Minas - best for couples, offers rooms with a private hot tub (availability)
Backpacker Hostels in Tiradentes
Hostel Tiradentes - hostel offering cheap dorms and private rooms with a small pool (availability)
Hostel Lumiar da Serra - conveniently located in the centre of town (availability)
Tiradentes historic centre
Where is Tiradentes, Brazil
Quick Facts about Tiradentes
Population of Tiradentes, Brazil
8,056 people (IBGE, 2025)
Nickname
People from Tiradentes are called tiradentinos, while people from Minas Gerais in general are called mineiros.
Closest airport
The closest airport is located in Belo Horizonte - Aeroporto Internacional de Confins / Tancredo Neves (CNF)
Main bus terminal
Terminal Rodoviário de Tiradentes
Read my free 3 day travel itinerary for Tiradentes
How to get to Tiradentes
The closest airport to Tiradentes is located in Belo Horizonte, with regular international and domestic connections. Belo Horizonte is also well connected with busses to other major cities.
How to get to Tiradentes from Belo Horizonte
From Belo Horizonte, take one of the regular busses from Terminal Rodoviário de Belo Horizonte (map) to São João del-Rei. The trip takes around 3.5 hours (tickets & timetable).
From the main bus station in São João del-Rei, take a local bus 30 minutes to Tiradentes. The bus costs R$6.40 and must be paid in cash. If you arrive during the day, you can buy your ticket from the ticket booth at the station. After 5pm when the ticket office is closed, you must pay directly on the bus. In this case, you will need to pay a boarding tax of R$0.75 at the booth by the entrance, and present the receipt when you enter the boarding area.
How to get to Tiradentes from Rio de Janeiro
The fastest way to get to Tiradentes from Rio de Janeiro is to fly to Belo Horizonte and take a bus. However, if you prefer to travel by land, there is an overnight bus that runs directly from Rio's Novo Rio bus terminal (map) to Belo Horizonte, and from here you can take a bus to São João del-Rei. The trip from Rio to Belo Horizonte takes around 7.5+ hours (tickets & timetable).
How to get around Tiradentes
Many of the Tiradente's main sights can be reached on foot. Busses and taxis also operate within Tiradentes.
Maria Fumaça Steam Train
One of Tiradente's main attractions is the old Tiradentes steam train, known as the Maria Fumaça. This is a historic 19th-century narrow-gauge railway in Brazil that runs between the towns of Tiradentes and São João del Rei. This train offers a scenic 12-kilometer 45 minute journey through the countryside. While the train ride is considerably more expensive than the bus (R$86 one way, 2025), it offers a scenic trip through the mountains. Tickets can be purchased online.
How to get to Bochinho from Tiradentes
A local bus connects Tiradentes with the nearby town Bochinho, 8km away, for R$5 each way, paid in cash to the driver. The bus runs from the main bus station in Tiradentes to Bochinho at 7am, 12pm, and 5.30pm Monday to Friday.
The bus returns from Bochinho to Tiradentes at 6am, 11am, and 4.30pm. You can board the bus to return either at the town square, or at the front of Casa Torta - pick up from Casa Torta was around 15 minutes after the scheduled departure time (the 4.30pm bus passed Casa Torta around 4.45pm).
Things to know before you go to Tiradentes
Tiradentes is one of Brazil’s most iconic colonial towns, renowned for its well-preserved Baroque churches, cobblestone streets, and its connection to Brazil’s independence movement. The town is named after Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, known as Tiradentes, a leader in the Inconfidência Mineira, an 18th-century revolutionary movement.
Historical and Architectural Significance
Tiradentes is home to exquisite examples of colonial and Baroque architecture, with landmarks like the Igreja Matriz de Santo Antônio, featuring gilded interiors and intricate woodwork, and the Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos, built by and for enslaved Africans. The town’s central square, Largo das Forras, remains a focal point, surrounded by historic structures.
Cultural Experiences
The town offers a range of cultural activities. Visitors can explore the Museu de Sant’Ana, which displays a collection of religious art, or the Museu Padre Toledo, located in a former residence associated with the Inconfidência Mineira. Both museums provide insights into Tiradentes’ role in Brazil’s history.
Natural Surroundings
Tiradentes is surrounded by the Serra de São José mountain range, where visitors can hike various trails through the Atlantic Forest, swim in nearby waterfalls, and see panoramic views of the town. It is also a great place for birdwatchers to spot Toucans, which live in the area.
Is Tiradentes safe for tourists
Tiradentes is considered a safe destination for visitors. The atmosphere is relaxed, and it is a very different experience compared to larger Brazilian cities. As with any trip, it is still sensible to follow a few simple precautions, but these are more about peace of mind than real risk.
Travel insurance for Tiradentes
Travel insurance is not just a nice-to-have, it is an important safety-net that can prevent a stressful incident from turning into an expensive disaster. The reality is that unexpected events can happen on any trip. Even something as simple as missing a connecting flight can lead to unexpected accommodation and transport costs. If you become unwell, medical bills in another country can quickly become expensive. Without insurance, you have to handle all of this on your own in an unfamiliar environment, possibly in a language you do not speak.
I have personally relied on travel insurance multiple times, including when I had belongings stolen in Europe, fell sick while travelling in Asia, and had flights cancelled. In each case, the support I received meant I could focus on solving the problem instead of worrying about costs.
For a small daily cost, you can be covered for a wide range of scenarios, from theft to delayed flights and medical emergencies. Having one phone number to call and a company that deals with the problem for you is worth far more than the price of the policy. I personally use Safety Wing, and I recommend them to friends, family, and anyone travelling internationally. You can get a quote here.
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