São Paulo Major Tourist Attractions Private Tour: 8-Hour (Santos City Pick-up)
Description
For those who either are going to arrive at the seaport terminal in Santos on a cruise ship or are staying at a hotel in Santos, take an amazing guided tour going to the city of São Paulo to see its major tourist attractions and have an overview of it. If you have at least 8 hours available, take a 1:20 h trip from Santos to São Paulo to explore the greatest city in the southern hemisphere and what it has to offer culturally, historically and touristically. As São Paulo is 760 meters above sea level, highways leaving from Santos get through an astonishing mount range that extends for approximately 1500 kilometers along the south and southeast coast of Brasil, providing an amazing view of the coast line. You can either follow our suggested itinerary presented in a sequential order or just select specific sights focusing more on culture, history, social-economic aspects, architecture, street art, local crafts and design, fashion, photograph. Our guide should be at your disposal.
Tour Options
Itinerary
On Ipiranga slope, next to Ipiranga stream, Dom Pedro I declared Brazil independence from Portugal, in 1822. The museum was built close to where the historic Independence event took place in 1822. Other than the architecture of the museum, the area has Independence Park that features huge french-style gardens inspired in Versailles in France. The museum is not open until Abril 2022, but it's worth visiting the garden and historic site.
The Liberdade neighborhood is the Japanese area. It's where every weekend takes place the Art, Craft and Culture Fair. Neighborhood lighting poles catch tourists attention and characterize the region for its beautiful Japanese style lamps.
Visit the Sé Cathedral which was inspired by medieval European churches. The imposing construction marks the center of São Paulo (the ground zero of the city is at Sé Square), a very busy area.
Historic São Paulo founding site and museum of the city. With the intention to teach and catechize the natives, the Jesuits built the first school and began what 4 centuries later would become the largest city in the Southern hemisphere.
The San Benedictine Monastery is one of those sacred tips that also applies to people who are not religious. The building hosted Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Brazil. Believers are attracted by the masses with Gregorian chants, and shop with breads, cakes, cookies and jams made by the monks themselves and whose recipes are secular.
The first skyscraper in Latin America. The construction generated much controversy, because until then there was no building of such great height. Currently, the building is one of the main architectural symbols of Brazil.
Inaugurated in 1939 to host one of the largest industrial conglomerates in Brazilian history, the Matarazzo Industries". Designed by the favorite architect of the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, the Italian Marcello Piacentini. Nowadays, this is the headquarters of the city administration.
One of the postcards of São Paulo, the tea viaduct was the first in the city of São Paulo. It bears this name because of the extensive tea plantation nearby.
Considered a postcard of São Paulo, the Municipal Theater is one of the most important historical places in town due to several important cultural events that took place in its facilities like the Week of Modern Art of 1922.
São Paulo Municipal Market is one of the main attractions of the city and a mandatory stop for everyone visit São Paulo. Do not miss out on the myriad of fruits, nuts, wines, cheeses, beers, food etc.. A summary of Brasil can be found in it.
With so much variety of products, it is possible to get lost on the famous "25 de Março St.". It receives about 400 thousand people daily who go in search of the good prices of the 5,000 registered stores from tchotchkes and sewing supplies.
Walk through the fascinating Paulista avenue. A place that is sure to impress you not only with its appearance, but also with its much rich history that may seem common in the eyes of some, but in the company of an expert tour guide can be mind-blowing.
Jardins neighborhood is certainly one of the most elegant and significant neighborhoods in the city of São Paulo. Many options for leisure, entertainment, culture, fancy shopping area and boutiques, restaurants, hotel chains, etc…
"High-end Boutiques" Oscar Freire St. and its surroundings are known for their luxury stores, but it is very wrong to think that everything there is expensive. In fact, stores concentrate more status than exorbitant prices. Because they are, in general, the largest stores in the chains, they end up receiving stranded products with discounts.
Sistine-chapel like church that has plenty of paintings on the ceiling that is breathless. The church was inspired in Brazilian and Portuguese baroque temples. The style is neo-colonial, very popular in São Paulo architecture from the 1920s and 1930s.
Visit the Ibirapuera Park that was elected by the “The Guardian magazine” the best Park in the world. The Park is must-see for those who want to be enchanted by the beauty of its lake and water fountain. The park also has 3 outstanding art museums MAC, MAM and Afro-Brazil museum with their great art that played a big role on the deserved winning election of the park.
Anyone visiting the Ibirapuera Park cannot miss this monument in honor of the early settlers, which is one of the most famous postal cards in São Paulo.
Visit the heart of the street art in São Paulo, Batman’s alley is an area where virtually no surface is left untouched. This lengthy stretch of high-walled residences in Vila Madalena, showcases some of the most impressive spray paint murals around. The constantly changing nature of the art form means there's sure to be something striking and new with each visit.
Don't miss out on an incredible 360º view covering a large part of the city of São Paulo from MAC, which faces Ibirapuera Park.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
PICK-UP INFORMATION: • Wherever place you specify at the time of the booking in the city of Santos. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best pick-up point that suits your needs as long as it's within the city of Santos limits or the seaport terminal. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DROP-OFF INSTRUCTIONS: • Wherever place you specify at the time of the booking in the city of Santos or its surroundings. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best drop-off point that suits your needs as long as it's within the city of Santos, or in the city of São Paulo or GRU airport. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HOTEL PICK-UP INSTRUCTIONS: • As soon as the tour guide arrives at your hotel, they get the front desk to call you in the room in case you are not at the lobby. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SANTOS PORT DISEMBARKING: • Upon disembarking from the ship at the Santos terminal the customer will be met by our staff (or guide) who will be holding a sign with their name on it. The staff will be waiting for them even if the ship is delayed. • The meeting point is within the terminal area and it's numbered as "2"(Meeting point 2). It is in front of the CROSSWALK, underneath the shelter of the bus platform facing the way out of the terminal named as P3 (Gate P3).
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(45)
Danilo gave us a great day in São Paulo. Learned a lot about Brazil and was great with our 8 yo son and mixing in things for everyone. Got him to try sashimi
Thank you so much for your review! 😊 We’re really happy to hear that the tour was amazing and that Danilo made a difference, making the day special for everyone, including your son. We hope to see you again soon for more adventures!
It was friendly and we have seen some good places in Sao Paolo. Unfortunately English was really basic
We’re glad you had the chance to explore São Paulo and visit some of the places that make the city so unique. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are always looking for ways to improve, and guest feedback plays an important role in that process. We wish you all the best on your future travels and hope to see you again someday.
Elaine was a phenomnal - the best guide ever! The tour experience, stops, and information provided was perfect. Elaine communicated with us for a smooth pick up after our cruise. We were on a multi-generational family trip and Elaine was attentive and helpful for everyone. The van was comfortable and large enough for all 7 of us and all our luggage. Each stop on the tour was a lot of fun and informative. The food and drink on the tour was local and delicious, and every experience was memorable. We were dropped off at the airport for our flight home with ample time. It was stress-free and a great end to our trip. We want to come back to São Paulo and see more!
Thank you so much for your review! 😊 We’re really happy to hear that Elaine was an exceptional guide and that the tour was perfect for the whole family. It’s great to know that the experience was stress-free and that São Paulo became even more special for you. We hope to see you again to explore more of the city!
Danilo was amazing, informative, on time in fact early to make sure we were not waiting- took us to through the highlights of the entire city and also considered what we wanted to see. He is super intelligent and we felt so comfortable with him as if he was part of the family. Ask for him on this tour!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 😊 We’re thrilled to hear that Danilo made such a great impression and that you felt so comfortable with him. He truly loves showing São Paulo, and it’s great to know that his insights and timing made your experience even better. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. We hope to see you again soon on another tour! 🌟
We disembarked from our cruise at 9am and our flight was not till 11pm. We spent a wonderful day with Gloria touring Sao Paulo before being dropped off at GRU airport. They were so accommodating and easy to communicate with prior to the tour. Would highly recommend.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 😊 We’re glad to hear that you had such a great day with Gloria exploring São Paulo. It’s great to know that everything went smoothly and that communication was easy. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again on your next visit! 🌟
Ask for Danillo. Highly experienced, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. Loved it. Great way to spend the day after a cruise.
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! 🙏😊 We're so happy to hear you loved your day in São Paulo with Danillo! 🌟 His enthusiasm and knowledge truly make the experience special. We hope to welcome you again soon for more exciting adventures after your cruise! 🌍✨
If you’re visiting São Paulo from a cruise stop in Santos and want to experience the real city instead of spending hours on a bus or being dropped at a shopping mall, this is absolutely the tour to book. Our guide Danilo made this one of the best tours we’ve ever taken anywhere in the world. Communication with the company beforehand was excellent, and everything went smoothly from the moment Danilo picked us up at the port authority in Santos. It was raining heavily that day, which had us worried at first, but Danilo came fully prepared—he even brought ponchos for all of us just in case. Thanks to his planning and flexibility, the weather barely affected our day at all. Our first stop was the Museu de Arte Contemporânea de São Paulo (MAC). The museum itself was interesting, but the real highlight was the rooftop panoramic view of the entire city. Danilo also took some fantastic photos of us there. He definitely knows his way around iPhone photography! From there we visited the financial district, where Danilo explained the different neighborhoods and what life in São Paulo is really like. We also saw the striking Baleia Espelhada Metálica (Mirrored Whale) sculpture, designed by the same architect who created Chicago’s famous “Bean.” One of our favorite stops was Mercado Municipal de Pinheiros, which felt like the true heart of the city. The market has a vibrant produce center surrounded by shops and restaurants ranging from longtime local vendors to trendy new spots. Danilo took us to Mocotó, a Michelin-starred restaurant serving traditional Brazilian cuisine, where we enjoyed an excellent meal that was a highlight of the day. Another unforgettable stop was the famous street art area known as Batman Alley, where entire streets are covered with incredible murals and graffiti art. The artwork was stunning and constantly changing, and we ended up taking dozens of photos. What really sets Danilo apart, though, is how attentive and thoughtful he is as a guide. At one point he noticed I had been coughing quite a bit and I mentioned I was fighting a cold. He actually stopped at a pharmacy and picked up some cough medicine for me, which worked almost instantly! That level of care and attention is something you rarely see on tours. Danilo was also incredibly considerate of our group’s needs. Two members of our group were in their late 70s, and one uses a walker. Danilo was patient, accommodating, and made sure the entire day worked comfortably for everyone. Beyond the sights themselves, Danilo made the experience feel personal and authentic. His English is flawless, and throughout the day we talked about everything from the history of São Paulo to everyday life, culture, and social issues in Brazil. It felt much more like spending the day with a knowledgeable local friend than being on a scripted tour. He also intentionally took us to places that were off the typical cruise tour route, even coordinating timing so we avoided the large tour groups entirely. When we returned to the ship later that afternoon, we overheard several passengers complaining about their São Paulo excursions - long bus rides and time spent in shopping malls. Meanwhile we had just finished one of the most interesting and memorable tours of our entire trip. If you’re stopping in Santos and want to experience São Paulo in a meaningful and authentic way, we highly recommend this tour—and if possible, ask for Danilo. He’s outstanding.
Thank you so much for your incredible review! 🙏😊 We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic time on your São Paulo tour with Danilo! 🌟 His attentiveness, knowledge, and personal touch truly make all the difference, and we’re so happy you appreciated the detailed explanations of the city and its hidden gems. We can’t wait to welcome you again for more unforgettable experiences! 🌍✨
From start to finish, this was a superb day of exploration and discovery thanks to Mauro (guide) and Sandro (driver). xx
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 😊💙 We’re very happy to hear that you thoroughly enjoyed the tour with Mauro and Sandro! 🌟🚗 It’s great to know the day was filled with discovery and special moments. We hope to welcome you again soon for more amazing experiences with us! ✨🌴
David who is a Jewish tour guide was amazing. I highly recommend recommend him. We had a great day. The driver was so polite and quiet. Perfect day in São Paulo
Hi! 🌟 Thank you so much for your review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the tour with David and our driver. We hope to see you again soon for more amazing experiences! 😄🚌✨
We only hit 3 of 8 scheduled stops and returned to our cruise ship 20 minutes late. No offer of bathroom stops or a lunch break on a 7 hour tour Yes we had to cut the tour 1 hr short due to ship’s schedule, and it was a Saturday so roads were crowded, but I expected more from a private tour! Driver was very knowledgeable but only paid lip service to our priorities
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. It’s important to understand that the drive between Santos and São Paulo takes approximately 1 hour and 20–30 minutes each way, which means nearly 3 hours round trip are spent on the road. For this reason, to properly enjoy São Paulo and cover multiple stops, a total tour duration of at least 8 hours is recommended. Ideally, 9 or even 10 hours would allow for a much more relaxed and complete experience. In cruise-based tours, however, guests usually have very limited time between the ship’s arrival and departure. In this case, as you mentioned, the total tour time was reduced at the last minute from 8 hours to 7 hours as you said you would have to arrive back even earlier, which makes a significant difference. With only 7 hours total, there are effectively about 4 hours available to tour São Paulo itself, always prioritizing a safe and timely return to the ship. São Paulo is the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere, and even with careful planning it is not possible to see many highlights in such a short time without rushing. If specific priorities are far apart, it may result in seeing even less, which is why route choices must be made very carefully. Throughout the journey, both going to and returning from São Paulo, the guide provided full attention and shared information and context about the city and the region, using the travel time to add value to the experience. Our priority is always safety and ensuring guests return to their ship without stress. We appreciate your feedback, as it helps us improve how we communicate tour limitations in advance, especially for tours departing from Santos with strict cruise schedules. Thank you again for traveling with us. Gregtur Turismo
