Although as praias ensolaradas (the sunny beaches) off the coast of Brazil or large cosmopolitan cities like São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro may be among the top destinations for tourists in this country, other popular yet less-known places still offer muitas razões (plenty of reasons) for a visit, like the city of Belo Horizonte.
Located in the state of Minas Gerais in the Southeast of Brazil, Belo Horizonte (endearingly nicknamed BH – Beagá – by its inhabitants) is encircled by hills and mountains, the most imposing of which is called Serra do Curral, where there are parks for those who wish to take a break from the intensity of the city’s urban area and ficar mais perto da natureza (get a little closer to nature). Seeing as it is the sixth largest city in Brazil, options for entertainment, culture, gastronomy and sightseeing abound. This post will select three major atrações (attractions) that should not be missed when paying a visit to Belo Horizonte.
1. Feira Hippie – “The Hippie Fair”: Though its name might suggest a specific kind of market, this feira de artesanato (arts and crafts fair) is a maior do país (the largest in the country) and it comprises a wide variety of products, from handmade clothes, shoes, jewelry and toys to furniture and local cuisine (espetinhos, feijão tropeiro, pastel e acarajé). The fair is held in the famous Afonso Pena Avenue todo domingo de manhã (every Sunday morning) and it ends at about 2 pm. It is placed right next to the Municipal Park, so after a few hours of shopping and eating the local food, taking a stroll in the park is a great idea to provide a change of pace.
2. Bars: Belo Horizonte is famous for its high concentration of bars. Many “mineiros” (native of Minas Gerais) go by the saying “Já que não tem mar, vamos pro bar”, that is “since we don’t have the beach, let’s go to the bar”. Savassi and Santa Tereza are the neighborhoods most commonly associated with the bohemian scene, with its profusion of sidewalk bars and restaurants. Maletta building downtown has a large balcony crowded with great bars and good music and is also a popular nightlife choice.
3. Praça do Papa – Pope Square: The name “Belo Horizonte” can be translated as “Beautiful Horizon”, appropriately describing the impressions one has after visiting one of the city’s greatest landmark, the Pope Square. Since it is situated in the highest part of the city, it offers a breathtaking, all-encompassing view of Belo Horizonte. Visitors can enjoy a paisagem (the landscape) while having a picnic, one of the most frequent activities that take place in the square.
Have fun in Belo Horizonte!
