Monumental Axis Bike Tour - Brasilia





Description
In this itinerary you will discover part of Lucio Costa's urban design and several works by Oscar Niemeyer, one of the greatest architects of all time. You will also meet several other artists whose work is integrated into the architecture and urbanism of the city. The circuit takes people to get to know the main sights of the city, reaching the Monumental Axis from its western part to Praça dos 3 Poderes. Among other places, we visited the TV Tower, City Park, Dom Bosco Sanctuary, and the South Commercial Sector. We pass by the Upper Platform of the Bus Station, National Theater, Cultural Complex of the Republic, Cathedral, Esplanada dos Ministérios, Itamaraty and arrive at Praça dos Três Poderes and Espaço Lucio Costa. We walk on shared bike paths and sidewalks and we always cross at traffic lights or crosswalks. By bike we cover circuits impossible for other vehicles and the perspective of the city is completely different.
Tour Options
Itinerary
After the meeting at our agency, this is the first stop.
The Ulysses Guimarães Convention Center has a capacity of 9.4 thousand people simultaneously in a 54 thousand m² space. It is one of the largest in the country, home to five auditoriums and 13 modular meeting rooms.
One of the largest urban parks in the world.
The Sanctuary was built in honor of the patron saint of Brasilia: St. John Bosco.
Here, cyclists know a Superquadra. The Residential Scale of the urban design of the city conceived by the genius Lucio Costa. It is not the first Superquadra, the Quadra Modelo, but the configuration is similar due to the projections of the buildings, the lots of local shops, schools and leisure area.
We will pass through Rua das Farmacias. A street where the trade is predominantly pharmacies due to the proximity to the South Medical and Hospital Sector.
The first unit of the Sarah Hospitals Network is a rehabilitation center specializing in locomotion and orthopedic diseases. Architect design. They are notably humanized hospitals that do not look like hospitals. The long stay of patients is softened by large, multicolored, airy environments with natural ventilation and lighting. The buildings adopt a rationalized construction system that facilitates the distribution of installations and the flexibility of the internal areas. In the main building, the facades are marked by the vierendeel beams that, together with the advances and setbacks of the floors, create terraces-gardens with double height ceilings integrated into the internment areas. João da Gama Filgueiras Lima (Lelé) [1932 -2014] was born in Rio de Janeiro and graduated from UFRJ in 1955. He worked with O. Niemeyer and L. Costa. He was a professor at UnB. Its architecture is marked by the attention to construction methods, the detailing of the projects, and a rationalization of the work.
The Setor Comercial Sul region is central to Brasília. During the weekdays, it is one of the main pedestrian flows in the city due to the services and institutions that are installed there. The proximity to the bus station and Esplanada dos Ministérios also reinforce this flow. This, added to other factors, imposes a genuine cultural diversity. In recent years, some public places have undergone a process of revitalization and there are some buildings by important architects such as Lelé and Oscar Niemeyer. The South Commercial Sector reflects the dynamics of the Gregária Scale and with the new uses that have been given to the spaces, it stands out - "If it were another Brazil, another Brasilia, another time, the South Commercial Sector would be the Champs Élysées that so inspired Lúcio Costa or La Rambla or any other European urban area with intense collective interaction. It's all there, ready to be used, used." (Conceição de Freitas - writer).
National Library of Brasilia
Created by Oscar Niemeyer, the Claudio Santoro National Theater is one of the most beautiful works in Brasilia.
Praça do Povo, in the South Commercial Sector (SCS), was renovated in 2021 and its project was chosen by the Instituto de Arquitetos do Brasil (IAB) as one of the regional winners of the IAB Awards 2021 – Centenary Edition. The initiative took the award in the Midwest in the Urbanism, Planning and Cities category. In the decision, the award judging committee detailed that the project “stands out for its functionality and, above all, for the merit of initiating a process of improving the urban quality of the area in question.” It's worth checking out - the renovation of the place was inaugurated in October 2021 by the Government of the Federal District and allowed the multifunctionality for the practice of skateboarding, presentation of shows and the organization of areas for kiosks.
Situated on the third vertex of Praça dos Três Poderes, opposite the Planalto Palace, it was designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer with original design by Lucio Costa.
It is located within Conic, a landmark within the Southern Amusement Sector.
The National Congress is a visual landmark in the city's landscape, the main one at the apex of the Three Powers Square, at the beginning of the Esplanade of Ministries.
Planned in Brasilia's original plan, Conjunto Cultural had a project commissioned by architect Oscar Niemeyer in the 1970s
Splendid of Ministries
Authored by architect Oscar Niemeyer, the Cathedral marked a milestone in the history of modern architecture and Brasilia.
Inaugurated on February 27, 1992 in the commemoration of Lucio Costa's 90th anniversary, the space is an underground construction that houses the Brasilia Model and the Plano Piloto Tactile Model
Headquartered at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and known as Palácio dos Arcos, Itamaraty is one of Niemeyer's best known works.
At Praça dos Três Poderes we will make a stop for explanations and an external visit to the Federal Supreme Court, with explanations and moments for photos.
Designed by Niemeyer, it is in front of the Itamaraty Palace. With influences of modern architecture, the building has some concrete waterfalls that are prominent in its facade, also has a water mirror designed by landscape artist Burle Marx.
Inaugurated on April 21, 1960, the Three Powers Square is a large civic space. Created by Lucio Costa and designed by Oscar Niemeyer, the square was inaugurated in 1960, the same day as the inauguration of the Federal Capital.
There is located a large model of the city.
Place where the President of the Republic dispatches.
Pantheon of the Fatherland
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Please note - the shuttle is charged separately (separately). Please inquire with us about pricing. We can send you a Uber (or equivalent), or even a group shuttle van.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- articulated tandem car trailer/bike for children from 4 to 10/12 years old (ask in advance)
Reviews(143)
First there was an error from Viator regarding the tour's departure time, I scheduled for the morning and the agency received the schedule for the afternoon. Our tour was long and with some explanations, in front of all the comments posted about the tour expected a little more.
We were flying from Campo Grande to Salvador and, rather than arrive there late at night, we decided to stop over in Brasilia to see something of this amazing city. We only had the morning so a three hour bike tour worked perfectly to see the best parts of the city. Enrique was a fun guide and made sure we were safe when crossing big roads. Cycling was a great way to see the centre. As it was a Monday, the cathedral was closed we went to the Dom Bosco church which has excellent blue stained glass. One of the best modern churches we’ve visited. We’re so glad we stopped over. And the Camelo office was only 400 metres from our hotel the Windsor Plaza. Thanks for a great morning.
We appreciate your feedback. It was very nice to show you Brasilia.
We had a wonderful time. João Vitor and Enrique were very helpful. João is a very skilled guide. I can only recommend this company!
I highly recommend this bike tour for anyone wanting to see and know more about Brasilia. My tour guide Rogerio was so kind and knowledgeable. This ended up being the highlight of my trip!
Rogerio was a terrific guide, both knowledgeable and super enthusiastic about sharing stories and facts about the concept, planning, design, construction, use, and ongoing uses of the modernist city of Brasilia. He is a native of the city, with many views about what works and what doesn’t. Seeing the city on bicycle is an efficient and enjoyable way to take in the major sites and structures on the monumental axis of the city in a short span of time. The ride isn’t a difficult one, well worth the time. More people should see Brasilia, and more people should visit Rogerio!
Thank you, Jean! It was nice to show you Brasília!
Our guide Rui was very knowledgeable and allowed time for us to stop and wander and take pictures. I would strongly recommend him for the four hour bike tour of the monuments if you are casually interested in the architecture but don't need to go in buildings or get an architects professional perspective.
Great tour. Covers all the sights and guide highlights all the history.
Thank you for your feedback!
relaxed bicycle tour of Brasilias architecture and monuments, with the guide highlighting interesting details that would have gone unnoticed had I visited the monuments by myself. My guide João had lots of stories to tell: about the history and persons behind the planning and construction of Brasilia, but also about the green spaces and fauna and flora in Brasilia. Highly recommended!
It is a great way to see the Niemeyer architecture up close and personal and to understand the fascinating layout and background of the city. I was the only one on my tour (in Portuguese), so I had the excellent guide Rogerio all to myself. Super knowledgeable and displayed a love for the architecture.
Great experience with Lorena. An adorable guide who speaks very good French. We did a fairly complete tour of Brasilia, not just the monumental axis and it really takes pleasure in making us discover its city. Being solo with her is really a plus. And cycling is really the best way to visit this extraordinary city.



