Romantic Things To Do in Sao Paulo

For those who feel romance requires breaking away from routines, São Paulo is the place to be! No other city in South America can match its abundance of stimuli for the eyes, nose, tongue, ears, finger tips… and heart. Warmth and romance awaits here at every turn. Whether it's because Brazilians in general are characteristically affectionate or because most people here live with their parents through their courtship phases, Paulistanos display their affection openly and often in publicly. They hold hands walking down crowded city streets. They kiss and rub noses on the subway. They canoodle inside and outside of São Paulo's more than 260 cinemas, 160 theaters and concert halls, 110 museums and 40 cultural centers. Oh, and, they dance—two bodies twisting, twirling and tapping as if conjoined into one. For a romantic daytime outing, São Paulo's grassy respites offer wonderful starting points. Stroll through the expanses of Parque do Ibirapuera, stopping to stretch out on a blanket or cuddle in a hammock. Smell the roses (and countless other exotic flowers) or watch the birds and monkeys fly by at Jardim Botanico. Take a lap around Parque do Luz before admiring the art at nearby Pinacoteca do Estado gallery afterwards. São Paulo though is a nocturnal city though. At night, the lights shine outside and are turned down low inside. Avenida Paulista is São Paulo's answer to the plazas of Europe, where residents dine at sidewalk seating areas, shop and stare out over the rivers of incandescence in the valleys on both sides (the city does have some actual rivers, but they're not the kind of places to visit on a romantic outing… or any outing for that matter). Sampa's 12,500-plus restaurants supply cuisines and ambiences of all styles. Candlelit knosheries with acoustic accompaniments are spread across the metropolis, with concentrations in neighborhoods like Jardins, Itaim and Vila Madalena. Skye Bar, on top of Hotel Unico in Moema, and Terraco Italia, downtown, boast some of the best panoramic views of the city. Before or after a meal, take in a concert São Paulo State Symphonic Orchestra at the Sala São Paulo, and admire the immaculately reformed train station. Attend a poetry reading at Casa das Rosas, and stroll through the garden outside. Or head to one of São Paulo's several football stadiums because, in this city, the beautiful game enchants Paulistanos of all walks and genders. Still not convinced romance exists amidst the concrete? Then, hop into a car or bus and head off to one of the nearby coastal towns, where you can set up a tent or rent a beach cottage for summertime R&R. In the cold season, escape to "Brazilian Switzerland" by visiting Vila Capivari in Campos do Jordão.

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