MapVivid
Igreja de São Francisco de Assis and around
A day in Belo Horizonte · 9:30–16:30 · 5 stops
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mapvivid.com/belo-horizonte/itineraries/igreja-de-sao-francisco-de-assis-and-aroundA walking day around Igreja de São Francisco de Assis, Casa do Baile and Museu de Arte da Pampulha, with a lunch break nearby and Estádio Mineirão to end the day.
Every stop on Google Maps: open the list
Morning
9:301Igreja de São Francisco de Assis ↗1 hGo early
Niemeyer chapel with Portinari tiles on Pampulha lake
- Closed to visitors on some Mondays, check hours
- Combine with Casa do Baile and the lake
↓ 10 min walk
10:452Casa do Baile ↗30 minClosed Mondays
Curved Niemeyer pavilion on a small island in the lake
- Photogenic from the lakeside path
- Visit with the nearby church
↓ 10 min walk
11:153Museu de Arte da Pampulha ↗1 h 30 minClosed Mondays
Former Niemeyer casino now a modern art museum
- Admission is inexpensive
- Walk the lake path afterwards
↓ 3 min walk
13:004Lagoa da Pampulha ↗1 hSunset
Artificial lake lined with modernist buildings and a 18 km loop
- Rent a bike to circle the lake
- Do not swim, water quality is poor
Lunch
14:00Lunch break nearby · Find restaurants nearby on Google Maps ↗
↓ 21 min walk
Afternoon
15:305Historic football stadium with a museum of Brazilian football
- Take the stadium tour on non-match days
- Attend a Cruzeiro or Atlético match for atmosphere
Good to know. Times are a guide for an unhurried pace. Check opening days before you go.
Belo Horizonte tips
Transportation
- Use the MOVE buses: BH's bus rapid transit lines connect the centre to Pampulha and other districts quickly.
- Take Uber or 99: Ride-hailing apps are affordable and safer than hailing taxis on the street.
- Fly into Confins: Belo Horizonte's main airport is far from the centre; plan for an executive bus or ride-share.
Local Hacks
- Visit Mercado Central on Saturday: It is busiest and liveliest at the weekend; try fígado com jiló at a bar inside.
- Day trip to Inhotim: This vast open-air art museum and botanical garden is a must; plan a full day.
- See the view from Mirante do Mangabeiras: This viewpoint offers sweeping vistas over the city, best at sunset.
Saving
- Eat at self-service restaurants: Comida por quilo restaurants let you pay by weight for a filling lunch.
- Visit free sites: Praça da Liberdade's cultural circuit includes museums and spaces that are often free.
- Drink at botecos: BH is famous for its bars; neighbourhood botecos offer cheap beer and snacks.
Security
- Keep valuables hidden: Avoid showing phones and jewellery on the street, especially in the centre and at night.
- Avoid empty streets at night: The centre can feel deserted after business hours; use ride-hailing after dark.
- Watch belongings at markets: Pickpockets can operate in busy places like the Mercado Central.
Cultural
- Taste Minas cuisine: Try pão de queijo, feijão tropeiro and frango com quiabo, classic Minas Gerais dishes.
- Visit Pampulha: The modernist complex by Oscar Niemeyer is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Join the bar culture: BH is called Brazil's bar capital; the Comida di Buteco contest highlights great local spots.
Weather/Clothing
- Expect pleasant temperatures: BH has a mild climate year-round thanks to its altitude; nights can be cool.
- Bring an umbrella in summer: October to March brings heavy rain showers.
- Pack a jacket for winter: June to August is dry and sunny but mornings and evenings can be chilly.
Planned with MapVivid. Opening hours change, so check each place before you go. This day, with the map: mapvivid.com/belo-horizonte/itineraries/igreja-de-sao-francisco-de-assis-and-around
Day 2 of 39:30–16:305 stops
Igreja de São Francisco de Assis and around
A walking day around Igreja de São Francisco de Assis, Casa do Baile and Museu de Arte da Pampulha, with a lunch break nearby and Estádio Mineirão to end the day.
Opens Google Maps with every stop of the day, ready to save to your own list.
Morning
109:30 · 1 hNiemeyer chapel with Portinari tiles on Pampulha lake
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Closed to visitors on some Mondays, check hours
- Combine with Casa do Baile and the lake
📷 Photos
10 min walk
210:45 · 30 minCurved Niemeyer pavilion on a small island in the lake
- Must know: Closed Mondays
2 tips
- Photogenic from the lakeside path
- Visit with the nearby church
📷 Photos
10 min walk
311:15 · 1 h 30 minFormer Niemeyer casino now a modern art museum
- Must know: Closed Mondays
2 tips
- Admission is inexpensive
- Walk the lake path afterwards
📷 Photos
3 min walk
413:00 · 1 hArtificial lake lined with modernist buildings and a 18 km loop
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Rent a bike to circle the lake
- Do not swim, water quality is poor
- Sunset is lovely from the church side
📷 Photos
Lunch
Lunch break nearby · 14:00
Find restaurants nearby on Google Maps21 min walk
Afternoon
515:30 · 1 hHistoric football stadium with a museum of Brazilian football
3 tips
- Take the stadium tour on non-match days
- Attend a Cruzeiro or Atlético match for atmosphere
- Next to the Pampulha lake
📷 Photos
Take this day with you
Add the stops to your calendar
Times are local time in Belo Horizonte. Apple Calendar adds every stop at once (Outlook too). Google Calendar adds one event per link.
Times are a guide for an unhurried pace. Check opening days before you go.
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