Belo Horizonte : Fourth Largest City in Brazil with Countless Dimensions of Cosmopolitan Charm

Belo Horizonte is the third largest city in Brazil with beautiful natural settings. However, this has been overshadowed by the urban sprawl that is seeing Belo Horizonte develop into a cosmopolitan charm. The locals refer to their city as Beagá which is Portuguese. There are so many things that will make you love Belo Horizonte as much as the locals do. Below are some of the places you ought to fall in love with while sightseeing:

1. Mercado Central de Belo Horizonte

Photo by Flávia Costa

Mercado Central de Belo Horizonte is a central marketplace of Belo Horizonte where you can find almost everything under one roof. Individual stalls sell a variety of n=vegetables and meat products. Others sell hardware equipment while others trade pets. There are also a number of liquor stores present which makes it diverse. The hallways are popular with sightseeing tourists who are usually visiting to sample the “fígado acebolado” which is a specialty dish in Belo Horizonte. There are also several boutiques and gift shops in which you can make a stop at. It is amazing how an old place like this still buzzes with life.

2. Praca da Liberdade

Photo by copagov

Praca da Liberdade also known as Liberty Square, is a green public park in Belo Horizonte where people enjoy walks and is a hot spot for cultural activities. It is also a nice venue for people watching if you wish to rest from sightseeing activities. The park is popular in Sunday afternoons when the locals are out for some family time. It is easy to spot some love birds taking strolls and friends picnicking. There are music groups that constantly practice in the park which are amazing to listen to. The surrounding is very beautiful and some of the most architectural buildings can be spotted from the square.

3. Memorial Minas Gerais Vale

Photo by pt.wikipedia.org

Memorial Minas Gerais Vale is a great memorial museum that revives the Minas Gerais traditions. It gives visitors the opportunity to travel back in time to the 18th century to the present time. The virtual scenarios aid in the whole experience which makes it wholesome for the guests. This is the place where the first foundation stone of the city was set making is a very important site hence the reason it has been preserved by Vale. Admission is free and remains open every day of the week for sightseeing.

4. Palacio das Artes

Photo by pt.wikipedia.org

Palacio das Artes is an artistic wonder that hosts an array of art shows in Belo Horizonte. This large theater can fit a sitting audience of 1700 people making it the largest in the city. Most of the performances are operas, ballets music shows among other forms of plays. The complex also has other rooms for movies and private shows. Since there is a cafe on each floor, it is convenient to grab a bite while waiting for the show to start. Ques can be long hence tourists advised to get there earlier for easy sitting.

5. Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil Belo Horizonte

Photo by Antonio Thomás Koenigkam Oliveira

The Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil Belo Horizonte has been in existence since 1930. The building is so huge covering 6 floors and 12 thousand square meters of ground coverage. This makes it be the largest cultural centers in Belo Horizonte. Only a part of it is currently open to the public but whatever it has to offer still serves the purpose. There is a theater that has a sitting capacity of 264, a well-equipped library, an audiovisual room, and two stocked cafeterias. If going for the theater performances, tickets are priced at R$ 10 for adults.

6. Museu De Artes & Oficios

Photo by pt.wikipedia.org

Museu De Artes & Oficios which is the art and labor museum is a dedication to the world of labor to the Brazilian people. The exhibitions are housed in two historical buildings that spread over 2,500 pieces of collectibles. The main purpose of the museum is to portray the livelihood of the people during the colonial and early independent empire era. All the artifacts are well displayed throughout the museum space. During the visit, sightseeing tourists have the opportunity of using some video guides which make the tour more informative.

7. Basilica Nossa Senhora de Lourdes

Basilica Nossa Senhora de Lourdes is a beautiful picturesque church not so far from the liberty square. The church is very much active and you may stop over for a candlelit prayer as you reflect on some life issue like other devotees. Despite having a modern feel to it, there are some Gothic European elements to it. The old church organ is what makes it seem ancient. Some of the church features is a replica on the grotto in Lourdes together with the Virgin Mary. Doors are open to everyone even non-Christians.

8. Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto

Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto is a great stadium that has continued to serve Belo Horizonte. Not many games take place but you are lucky to find some of the local teams making use of the grounds for their soccer matches. There is a museum inside the stadium that gives a history of this great museum together with the memories. Tourists are known to flock this museum in order to learn more about this stadium together with taking great photos. You can also find exciting restaurants that serve exquisite Minas cuisine which is a very interesting taste.

9. Mirante Mangabeiras

If you are looking for a great place to relax as you get great views of Belo Horizonte, Mirante Mangabeiras is the best place to go sightseeing. It is located near Papa square providing more opportunities to people watch. Since the place is isolated, there are not many establishments around so you may carry your own snack if you really wish to have something to much. It would be a great place to watch the sunset but the place closes at 5 pm. It is also not advisable to go on a Monday as it remains closed.

10. Serra Da Moeda

Serra Da Moeda are amazing mountains that are 1400 above sea level. These are a great indulging activity in Belo Horizonte. Getting to the mountains is made easier by road by taking BR040. The place is common for hiking activities as well as hang- gliding. There are no places to hire equipment for this so sightseeing tourists are advised to carry their own to enjoy the activities. When you are at the top, you get amazing views of the Minas landscape. The best time to visit is off-season as it gets very crowded during the holidays.

◎ Closing

There many things that one can do for sightseeing in Belo Horizonte of which you cannot exhaust all. From strolling through the densely populated malls to eating at the many eateries offering delicacies, the city still maintains a certain charm. The locals are also very friendly people who give it a winning combination.

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