9 of the best cities and towns for a holiday in Brazil

Brazil’s range of natural beauty, historic landmarks and sprawling cities rivals almost any other country in the world.

This vast nation has become renowned for its sparkling coastlines and natural landscapes surrounding characterful cities like Rio de Janeiro, but some of its towns and cities remain chronically overlooked.

Rio will continue to grab headlines due to its Carnival celebrations and world-famous landmarks, but other major cities like Sao Paulo and Salvador are catching up, with visitors becoming wise to their wealth of architecture, arts and historic sites.

The capital, Brasilia, is a unique destination due to its avant-garde design, while places like Paraty and Florianopolis welcome those tourists who prefer tropical relaxation over ticking off museums.

Meanwhile, destinations such as Ouro Preto and Olinda are akin to still-standing monuments to colonial times, giving an insight into the country’s fascinating history.

Whether you’re a history buff, beach lover or partygoer, there’s likely somewhere for you in Brazil; we’ve rounded up a list of the best cities and towns to visit.

Sao Paulo

largest city is home to around 20 million people, and in recent times has become one of the continent’s most important cities. Similarly to Rio, Sao Paulo is fronted by long stretches of beach and is home