Paulista Avenue

Paulista Avenue (Avenida Paulista) is a 2.8-kilometer (1.7-mile) avenue in São Paulo, running northwest to southeast. It is a major business and cultural hub, home to the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP) and numerous financial institutions. The avenue is a focal point for political protests, the São Paulo Gay Pride Parade, and the Saint Silvester Road Race.

Don't miss

• São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP), with its iconic suspended concrete and glass building and collection of European and Brazilian art.
• Parque Siqueira Campos (Trianon), a small native forest park on the avenue.
• Casa das Rosas, a historic mansion turned cultural center near Praça Osvaldo Cruz.
• The Feira de Antiguidade antique fair held every Sunday under MASP's vaulted space.
• Numerous cultural centers, including Centro Cultural Itaú and Centro Cultural FIESP/CIESP.
• Large shopping malls like Conjunto Nacional and Shopping Pátio Paulista.

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Paulista Avenue

Cheapest way inVisit São Paulo with a local guide4.8★ · 130 travelers3-4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$26 per personSee dates →Best full daySão Paulo’s Full Day City Tour: Main City Sights – (Shared Group)4.9★ · 1,850 travelers~7 hoursFree cancellationFrom$79 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleSao Paulo Top Highlights Tour with Market visit (4h)5★ · 13 travelers~4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$145 per personSee dates →

Getting there

Know before you go

• The avenue is served by the Line 2 (Green Line) of the São Paulo Metro, running underneath from end to end.
• Over 800,000 commuters travel on Paulista Avenue daily.
• The São Paulo Gay Pride Parade in May/June and the Saint Silvester Road Race on New Year's Eve take place here annually.

A bit of history

Paulista Avenue was constructed in 1891 by civil engineer Joaquim Eugênio de Lima. It was originally a residential neighborhood with ornate mansions belonging to coffee barons. It became the first paved street in São Paulo in 1909, with asphalt imported from Germany. A 1930 master plan by Mayor Francisco Prestes Maia promoted urban decentralization and automobile routes. The first multi-story building was built in 1939. From the 1950s, the avenue underwent verticalization, with older structures replaced by financial institutions. A 1972 renovation increased vehicle capacity to over 100,000 per day, and trees were replanted between 2007 and 2008.