Exploring Pinheiros, a neighbourhood known for cozy restaurants and cafes, you will notice a youthful energy. Several cultural centres and institutes surround the area and even its main church, Calvário, hosts a traditional Brazilian “Festa Junina” - a celebration with traditional music, dance, and food during the months of June and July. On the weekends, residents gather at Benedito Calixto Square, a loud and crowded area where people enjoy live music drinks alongside the antiquities fair.

Located just below important Paulista Avenue, Jardins is the junction of four smaller neighbourhoods: Jardim Paulista, Jardim América, Jardim Europa and Jardim Paulistano. It is an upper-class area, offering a variety of things to do, including shopping, museums and parks. The neighbourhood is well known for “Oscar Freire”– the most luxurious street in the city, packed with high-end boutiques. In Jardins you will also find a trendy museum, São Paulo Museum of Image and Sound (MIS), which people often line up for hours to visit. If green space is what you're after, take time to relax at Trianon Park, a refuge in the heart of Paulista Avenue.

Consolação lies between the old historical centre of the city and busy Paulista Avenue. It’s surrounded by the fancy Higienópolis neighbourhood, which makes it a very diverse place. The nightlife along Augusta Street offers visitors a variety of options to dine, dance and be entertained. Roosevelt Square, Consolação's main meeting point, is surrounded by fringe theaters and has become a popular skateboarding area. Right across the street from the square is the elevated highway known as “Minhocão.” Though it is busy with car traffic all week, it shuts down every weekend and becomes a leisure spot right in the middle of the city.

Known for its Italian cantinas, Bela Vista is the place to go for great pasta. Also called “Bixiga”, the area is an important cultural part of the city, with the bohemian and the religious costumes of its inhabitants on full display. In August, the large Nossa Senhora Achiropita party fills the streets with a variety of Italian food and music. You can experience the liveliness of the neighbourhood walking through the antiquities fair at Dom Orione Square or visiting the “Brazilian Caminito”, a version of the Argentinian street complete with colorful buildings. Bela Vista is also home to the traditional samba school “Vai-Vai”. Buy a ticket to a rehearsal and get a taste of what Carnival is like.

Part of the historical centre of São Paulo, República was once a fancy residential area. República Square holds a craft and food fair every weekend, right by the subway entrance. Nearby, one of the neighbourhood’s main attractions is the Italian Building, where you can see the city from the 42nd floor. The Copan Building also deserves a close look, with 1,160 apartments and a huge floor area that inspired filmmakers and other artists. To get the feeling of São Paulo in the beginning of the 1900s, visit the Municipal Theatre – you will be amazed by its architecture. The area also features several galleries. República is a great area to explore during daytime, but use caution if visiting alone at night.

To truly know São Paulo, you have to start at the old centre, full of history and landmarks with stories to tell. Get a taste of local food at the Municipal Market, and if you are brave enough, head to the crowded shopping street “25 de março” for cheap deals on a wide assortment of items. Beautiful buildings in this area include the Post Office Building, Luz Station, Pagé Gallery, Pateo do Colegio and the iconic “Viaduto do Chá”. If you find yourself amazed by the local language, the Museum of Portuguese Language is the place to go. Cultural centres, like Banco do Brasil’s, also offer a variety of entertainment options. Finally, if you fancy watching a Gregorian mass with organ music, stop by São Bento Monastery on a Sunday morning.

Located in south São Paulo, Vila Mariana is a nice residential area with plenty of businesses, recreation centres, hospitals and restaurants. Joaquim Távora is an up-and-coming nightlife spot, with trendy restaurants and bars. The cultural centre SESC Vila Mariana offers interesting architecture and a variety of activities for the public. You can rent a bicycle from one of the local bike share stations and ride along the neighbourhood's streets to get a sense of this pleasant area during the day. The area around ESPM, a school for publicity and marketing, offers a collegiate ambiance with busy cafes and pubs.