Rooftops in Brazil: São Paulo seen from above
A continent-sized country
A federal republic of around 212 million inhabitants, Brazil covers more than 8.5 million square kilometres, half of South America: it is the fifth-largest country in the world by area. It is made up of 26 states and the Federal District of Brasília, its capital, and its official language is Portuguese, a legacy of colonisation.
The country unfolds a great variety of landscapes, from the Amazon rainforest to the Pantanal, one of the largest wetlands on the planet, all the way to the bay of Rio de Janeiro, overlooked by Sugarloaf Mountain and by the Cristo Redentor on Corcovado. São Paulo is its most populous city, ahead of Rio de Janeiro.
Why head up to the rooftops
In the economic capital, terraces and high-rise bars have become a favourite spot for after-work drinks and long paulistana nights: at the top of a skyscraper in the centre, a hotel in the Jardins or a tower on Faria Lima, you can enjoy a caipirinha at sunset facing a skyline of buildings.
São Paulo, the first stop
The metropolis of skyscrapers
In São Paulo you will find a bar at the top of the Edifício Itália, terraces a stone's throw from Avenida Paulista, a red swimming pool facing Ibirapuera Park, a terrace on the roof of a museum, lively rooftops on Faria Lima and even a revolving restaurant on the 28th floor of a tower.
Reversed seasons
In the southern hemisphere, summer runs from December to March: in São Paulo it is hot and rainy, while winter, from June to August, stays mild. Most high-rise bars have a covered or glass-enclosed room and stay open all year round.
Practical tips
Prices, booking and opening hours
Prices are shown in Brazilian reais (R$). Book when you can, especially at weekends, and check the access conditions for hotel roofs, which are sometimes reserved for guests at certain times.
