×

Brazil🇧🇷 | citiesBelo HorizonteCheese stalls, Niemeyer chapel, Savassi evenings, mountain-ringed capital | things to do and best time to go

Explore CuritibaExplore Porto Alegre

Backpacking in Belo Horizonte
👌 Worth visitingcity ranked #22
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Belo Horizonte has one of Brazil’s best food scenes outside the coastal cities, and it costs far less than São Paulo. It sits in the southeast of Brazil, capital of Minas Gerais. I stepped off the bus and smelled grilled cheese bread and coffee from the station snack counters. Skip the sprawling suburbs and stay near Savassi, where evenings are walkable. Unlike polished Ouro Preto, it is a working city, not a museum.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Brazil Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #22 city in BrazilWhy visitors keep coming back

Belo Horizonte earns a stop because it is the practical hub of Minas Gerais, with a huge bar culture and a reputation for the boteco (neighborhood bar) scene, plus Mercado Central for regional cheeses, cachaça and snacks. Hostels cluster around Savassi and Funcionários, so you can walk to dinner and nightlife without taxis. It also works as a base for the colonial towns and mountains nearby. It is a poor fit if you want beaches or quick sightseeing, because the sights are spread out and unhurried.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. Praça da Liberdade: the leafy civic square lined with former government buildings turned museums and cultural centers, such as the Circuito Cultural. Go on a weekday morning or Tuesday to Sunday afternoon. Free to walk, museums mostly free or low cost, 1 to 2 hours.
  2. Igreja de São Francisco de Assis (Pampulha): Niemeyer’s curved chapel with Portinari tile panels, beside Pampulha Lake. Visit in the morning for soft light. Entry about US$1, 45 minutes.
  3. Mercado Central: over 400 stalls selling cheese, sausages, cachaça and sweets. Go on a weekday late morning to avoid Saturday crowds. Free entry, snacks from US$2, 1 to 2 hours.
  4. Mineirão Stadium and Museum: the giant football stadium, with a guided tour of the locker rooms and pitch and the Museu Brasileiro do Futebol. Book a guided visit in the daytime.
… read more 👉
  1. Praça da Liberdade: the leafy civic square lined with former government buildings turned museums and cultural centers, such as the Circuito Cultural. Go on a weekday morning or Tuesday to Sunday afternoon. Free to walk, museums mostly free or low cost, 1 to 2 hours.
  2. Igreja de São Francisco de Assis (Pampulha): Niemeyer’s curved chapel with Portinari tile panels, beside Pampulha Lake. Visit in the morning for soft light. Entry about US$1, 45 minutes.
  3. Mercado Central: over 400 stalls selling cheese, sausages, cachaça and sweets. Go on a weekday late morning to avoid Saturday crowds. Free entry, snacks from US$2, 1 to 2 hours.
  4. Mineirão Stadium and Museum: the giant football stadium, with a guided tour of the locker rooms and pitch and the Museu Brasileiro do Futebol. Book a guided visit in the daytime. About US$8 to 12, 1 to 2 hours.
  5. Museu de Artes e Ofícios: housed in the old railway station, it displays everyday objects of Brazilian work life. Open Tuesday to Sunday. About US$2 to 3, 1 hour.
  6. Mangabeiras Park and Mirante: a large green park with viewpoints over the city and the Serra do Curral. Best at late afternoon. Free to US$1, 2 hours.
  7. Feira Hippie (Feira de Artes e Artesanato da Afonso Pena): a Sunday morning craft fair along Avenida Afonso Pena with leather goods, jewelry and food stalls. Free, 1 to 2 hours.
For day trips, Ouro Preto, Inhotim in Brumadinho, Serra do Cipó and Sabará are all within reach. Start with Mercado Central, since it is busiest late and gives you a food-led introduction to the city.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do in Belo Horizonte

Inhotim - one of the largest open air museums in the World

Inhotim - one of the largest open air museums in the World

4.6(50) 10h
From €121
per personViator
3h Cooking Class in Belo Horizonte: 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks

3h Cooking Class in Belo Horizonte: 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks

5.0(13) 3h
From €63
per personViator
Instituto Inhotim

Instituto Inhotim

4.9(8) 10h
From €125
per personViator
Brazilian History & Food Tour - Private Multi Day Tour

Brazilian History & Food Tour - Private Multi Day Tour

5.0(7) 216h
From €5,097
per personViator
3hr Food Crawl in Belo Horizonte Markets and Local Flavors

3hr Food Crawl in Belo Horizonte Markets and Local Flavors

5.0(6) 3h
From €26
per personViator
Historical Cities of Ouro Preto and Mariana

Historical Cities of Ouro Preto and Mariana

5.0(4) 10h
From €121
per personViator
City Tour by Centro / South DE Belo Horizonte

City Tour by Centro / South DE Belo Horizonte

4.8(4) 4h
From €92
per personViator
Historic Cities of Gold Black and Mariana

Historic Cities of Gold Black and Mariana

5.0(3) 10h
From €158
per personViator
Cave of Maquiné and city of Cordisburg

Cave of Maquiné and city of Cordisburg

4.7(3) 10h
From €149
per personViator
Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Belo Horizonte

Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Belo Horizonte

3.2(5) 3h
From €55
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsUnderstanding the local layout

Belo Horizonte is a city of hills and grid streets, so pick two or three areas and skip the rest.
  • Savassi: The most walkable area, with cafés, bars and Sunday-evening crowds. Eat here, but expect higher prices than elsewhere; locals head to side streets for cheaper plates.
  • Centro: Mercado Central is the one stop worth your time, for cheese, cachaça and pastel. Come on weekday mornings; the streets empty and feel rough after dark, so take a ride-hail back.
  • Lourdes and Funcionários: Leafy streets with good restaurants and a quieter evening scene. Walkable, though steep.
  • Pampulha: Niemeyer’s church and lake sit 8 km north, too spread out to walk. Go by bus or car, not on foot.
  • Santa Tereza: Bohemian, with live music bars and local botecos. Best for nights out, and cheap.

⌛️ 1 dayHow to make the most of one day

A food-and-stroll day that stays in the center and ends in a bar district.
8:30 AM: Praça da Liberdade Start with coffee and a walk through the palm-lined square, popping into one or two free museums before the heat builds.
11:00 AM: Mercado Central Take a short taxi or bus ride and graze on pão de queijo, cheese and local sausage. Eat here for lunch.
2:00 PM: Museu de Artes e Ofícios Walk to the old station building, an often skipped stop with fascinating displays of tools and trades.
4:30 PM: Mangabeiras Mirante Ride up for sweeping views over the city and the ridge.
7:30 PM: Savassi Finish with a boteco dinner and a cold draft beer.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

May to September is the easiest stretch, with dry, sunny days of 12 to 27°C (54 to 81°F) and about 11 hours of daylight. October to March brings heavy afternoon storms, 18 to 30°C (64 to 86°F) and flooded streets now and then. Prices rise around Carnival, New Year and July school holidays, when hostels fill. Festivals like the Comida di Buteco bar contest (April and May) add local flavor. Book weekday stays to dodge the weekend price bumps.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: good for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
when-to-go

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutBrazil Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
The digital guide (410 pages) contains:
✅ 146 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 14, 21 & 30-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

Savassi and Funcionários are the best bets for a budget bed, with dorms around US$12 to 20 and a handful of hostels within walking distance of restaurants. Both are lively but fairly calm at night, with plenty of ride-hail cars and well-lit streets. Santa Tereza is cheaper and artsy, though quieter on weeknights and farther from the metro. Avoid sleeping in Centro unless you arrive late at the bus station; the streets empty after dark. Book ahead around holidays and Carnival.
Best hostels in Belo Horizonte


Best quality hotels in Brazil

🚌 Getting aroundHow to get from A to B

Ride-hailing apps are the easiest way for a backpacker to get around Belo Horizonte, because hills, heat and patchy bus info make walking between areas tiring. Fares are low by international standards, and drivers are reliable. Traffic jams hard at 7 to 9 am and 5 to 7 pm, so allow extra time then.
  • Ride-hailing (Uber, 99): Most rides within the center cost US$2 to 6. Use it at night instead of walking in Centro.
  • City buses: Fare is about US$1; routes are confusing and crowded. Use Google Maps and only for longer hops like Pampulha. Many run until around 11 pm.
  • Metro: One line runs from Eldorado through Centro to Vilarinho for about US$1. It is quick and safe but skips Savassi and most sights, so it is not worth planning around.
  • Walking: Fine inside Savassi, Funcionários and Centro by day. The
… read more 👉
Ride-hailing apps are the easiest way for a backpacker to get around Belo Horizonte, because hills, heat and patchy bus info make walking between areas tiring. Fares are low by international standards, and drivers are reliable. Traffic jams hard at 7 to 9 am and 5 to 7 pm, so allow extra time then.
  • Ride-hailing (Uber, 99): Most rides within the center cost US$2 to 6. Use it at night instead of walking in Centro.
  • City buses: Fare is about US$1; routes are confusing and crowded. Use Google Maps and only for longer hops like Pampulha. Many run until around 11 pm.
  • Metro: One line runs from Eldorado through Centro to Vilarinho for about US$1. It is quick and safe but skips Savassi and most sights, so it is not worth planning around.
  • Walking: Fine inside Savassi, Funcionários and Centro by day. The slopes are steep, so wear good shoes and avoid midday sun.
Skip taxis without meters, since apps are cheaper and traceable.

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Belo Horizonte

A budget backpacker in Belo Horizonte spends about US$41 to 72 a day, or US$55 with a high-season dorm.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm (high season)US$14 to 20Savassi and Funcionários fill up around holidays
Dorm (off-season)US$10 to 14Weekday deals are common
MealsUS$14 to 20Lunch by weight, bakery breakfast, a boteco snack
Local transportUS$4 to 8A few ride-hail rides or bus fares
City transport passUS$1 to 2Single metro or bus fare; no tourist pass needed
Activities/entry feesUS$5 to 10Many museums are cheap or free
MiscellaneousUS$3 to 6Water, SIM data, snacks
Total Daily BudgetUS$41 to 72About US$55 at the midpoint
Eat the main meal at lunch, when set plates cost much less than dinner.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsExploring the surroundings

Belo Horizonte works well as a base for day trips into the Minas Gerais hills, mostly by bus or shared ride.Inhotim: One of the world’s biggest open-air contemporary art parks, near Brumadinho, about 1.5 hours away by bus. Entry is about US$12, free on Wednesdays and the last Sunday of the month, and total cost with transport and lunch about US$30 to 45. Go on a weekday; first-timers underestimate its size and need a full day.
Ouro Preto: Baroque churches and steep cobbled lanes, roughly 2 hours by bus for US$8 to 12 each way. Wear flat shoes, and arrive early to see churches before they close.
👉 Explore Ouro PretoSerra do Cipó National Park: Waterfalls and canyons about 2 hours north. Buses are limited, so a shared tour or rental is easier. Budget US$30 to 50. The dry months, May to September, … read more 👉
Belo Horizonte works well as a base for day trips into the Minas Gerais hills, mostly by bus or shared ride.Inhotim: One of the world’s biggest open-air contemporary art parks, near Brumadinho, about 1.5 hours away by bus. Entry is about US$12, free on Wednesdays and the last Sunday of the month, and total cost with transport and lunch about US$30 to 45. Go on a weekday; first-timers underestimate its size and need a full day.
Ouro Preto: Baroque churches and steep cobbled lanes, roughly 2 hours by bus for US$8 to 12 each way. Wear flat shoes, and arrive early to see churches before they close.
👉 Explore Ouro PretoSerra do Cipó National Park: Waterfalls and canyons about 2 hours north. Buses are limited, so a shared tour or rental is easier. Budget US$30 to 50. The dry months, May to September, are best.
👉 Explore Serra do Cipó National ParkSabará: A small gold-era town about 40 minutes away, with churches and cheap lunch spots. Budget around US$10 to 15.

🍲 FoodLocal Flavors for Backpackers

Minas Gerais cooking is hearty, and Belo Horizonte is the capital of the boteco bar scene. Try pão de queijo fresh from the oven, feijão tropeiro (beans, bacon, cassava flour and egg), and frango com quiabo. Mercado Central is the place for local queijo minas, cachaça and pastel. Many restaurants serve comida a quilo lunch by weight for about US$6 to 10. Botecos in Santa Tereza and Lourdes pour cold draft beer with fried snacks. Expect to get a free coffee and sweet doce de leite with cheese after a meal at some traditional spots.

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

Belo Horizonte is manageable for backpackers with ordinary city habits. Phone snatching is the main nuisance, especially in Centro and around the bus station, so keep your phone out of sight on the street. After dark, take a ride-hail rather than walking between neighborhoods, and avoid quiet streets near the center. Savassi and Funcionários feel comfortable at night, and solo travelers find them easy. Carry small cash only and leave valuables at the hostel.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Two to three days covers Belo Horizonte well. One day goes to Savassi, Mercado Central and Praça da Liberdade, and another to Pampulha, with a third for Inhotim (about 1.5 hours away) or Ouro Preto (about 2 hours).
Yes, Belo Horizonte is workable for solo backpackers who use common sense. Stay in Savassi or Funcionários, take a ride-hail (US$2 to 6) after dark instead of walking through Centro, and keep your phone out of sight on the street.
Belo Horizonte is known for its boteco bar culture and Minas Gerais cooking, such as pão de queijo and feijão tropeiro. It also has Niemeyer’s Pampulha complex and Mercado Central, and it sits near Inhotim art park and the baroque town of Ouro Preto.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Brazilian cities near Belo Horizonte

Explore more nearby:

  • Petrópolis—Emperor's summer palace, mountain fog, iron greenhouse, aviator's house| 299 km away
  • Rio de Janeiro—Corcovado statue, Sugarloaf cable cars, Ipanema sunsets, tiled steps| 341 km away
  • Guarapari—Black monazite sand, island snorkeling, restinga trails, kiosk beaches| 368 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Brazil including Belo Horizonte and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all cities

Or checkout all Brazil has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Brazil
Country photo of Brazil
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Belo Horizonte deserves two nights, three if you add a day trip. I would stay near Savassi, eat at the market, and skip rushing the museums; the city is best enjoyed slowly.

✈️ When did I visit Brazil?
Call it good timing or luck, but I was able to celebrate Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro in February 2022, after a round trip in the north and east coast.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Brazil, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story