Holiday in Belo Horizonte
City in Brazil — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇧🇷
Country
Brazil
Type
City
Best time to travel
April to September (dry season, 18-28 °C). October-March is the rainy season with thunderstorms in the afternoon. Carnival in February.
Budget/day
50-120 €
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Belo Horizonte Confins (CNF, approx. 12-16 hours with a stopover in Sao Paulo, Lisbon, or Frankfurt). No visa required for Germans for up to 90 days.
Deals for Belo Horizonte:
What makes Belo Horizonte special as a destination?
Belo Horizonte — affectionately called BH by locals — is the capital of the state of Minas Gerais and with around 2.7 million inhabitants, it is the sixth largest city in Brazil. The city was established in 1897 as Brazil's first planned city on a grid pattern and is situated on hilly terrain surrounded by mountains (Serra do Curral). Belo Horizonte is the undisputed bar capital of Brazil: With over 12,000 bars — more per capita than any other city in the country — the Boteco culture (Brazilian pub culture) is most authentic here. In the evenings, the sidewalks of the neighborhoods Savassi and Santa Tereza fill with plastic tables and freshly tapped Chopp (draft beer). The Pampulha region in the north of the city is an architectural masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage site: Oscar Niemeyer designed the Igreja de Sao Francisco de Assis, the Casa do Baile, and the Museu de Arte here in 1943 — all icons of Brazilian modernism, located by the artificial Pampulha Lake. Minas Gerais is the culinary heart of Brazil: Pao de Queijo (cheese bread), Feijao Tropeiro, Tutu de Feijao, and Doce de Leite all originate from this region. The Mercado Central with over 400 stalls is a feast for all senses. From Belo Horizonte, the colonial cities of Ouro Preto (UNESCO World Heritage), Tiradentes, and Diamantina are reachable for day trips — testimonies of the Brazilian gold rush in the 18th century.
What are the top highlights in Belo Horizonte?
The top highlights in Belo Horizonte include Pampulha (UNESCO), Mercado Central, Ouro Preto (Day Trip), Praca da Liberdade, Boteco Culture (Savassi Bar District).
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Pampulha (UNESCO)
Oscar Niemeyer's architectural ensemble by the artificial lake: church, museum, and Casa do Baile — UNESCO World Heritage since 2016.
Mercado Central
Over 400 stalls with cheese, Cachaca, spices, and handicrafts: the culinary heart of Minas Gerais under one roof.
Ouro Preto (Day Trip)
Colonial city and UNESCO World Heritage site, 100 km away: baroque churches, gold mines, and cobblestones from the gold rush era.
Praca da Liberdade
Representative square with neoclassical buildings: surrounded by the Circuito Cultural with several museums.
Boteco Culture (Savassi Bar District)
Brazil's bar capital: over 12,000 Botecos with Chopp, Tira-Gosto snacks, and live music on the sidewalks.
Hotels in Belo Horizonte
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Reise-SIM für Belo Horizonte
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Belo Horizonte?
The best time to visit Belo Horizonte is April to September (dry season, 18-28 °C). October-March is the rainy season with thunderstorms in the afternoon. Carnival in February.. 20-30 °C, rainy season October-March with afternoon thunderstorms In winter: 12-26 °C, dry and pleasant, cool nights
Recommended travel time
April to September (dry season, 18-28 °C). October-March is the rainy season with thunderstorms in the afternoon. Carnival in February.
Summer
20-30 °C, rainy season October-March with afternoon thunderstorms
Winter
12-26 °C, dry and pleasant, cool nights
How much does a holiday in Belo Horizonte cost?
Budget travellers: 25-45 €/day, mid-range: 50-120 €/day, luxury: 140-350 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
25-45 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
50-120 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
140-350 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Belo Horizonte?
Flight to Belo Horizonte Confins (CNF, approx. 12-16 hours with a stopover in Sao Paulo, Lisbon, or Frankfurt). No visa required for Germans for up to 90 days.
Book a package holiday to Belo Horizonte
Compare thousands of package holidays to Belo Horizonte and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Belo Horizonte?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
No visa required — Germans are visa-free for up to 90 days. Electronic entry registration via e-DBV is required.
Brazilian Real (BRL) — 1 € ≈ 5.5 BRL. Credit cards are widely accepted, but cash is needed for Botecos and markets.
Ouro Preto as a day trip — 100 km, about 1.5 hours by bus. UNESCO World Heritage site with baroque churches and gold mines.
Boteco hopping in the evening — visit Savassi and Santa Tereza after 6 PM. Order Chopp and Tira-Gosto (pub snacks).
Try Pao de Queijo everywhere — Minas Gerais is the home of cheese bread. Every bakery has its own recipe.
What should you eat in Belo Horizonte?
Typical specialities in Belo Horizonte: Pao de Queijo — cheese bread made from cassava starch and Minas cheese: Brazil's favorite snack, perfected here., Feijao Tropeiro — beans with cassava flour, bacon, sausage, and egg: a hearty rider's dish from the colonial era., Tutu de Feijao — pureed bean mash with cassava flour: a creamy side dish for grilled meat, typical of Minas Gerais., Frango com Quiabo — chicken with okra in spicy sauce: a Minas Gerais classic, served with rice and Angu., Doce de Leite — caramelized milk cream: Minas Gerais' most famous sweet, enjoyed plain or as a dessert..
These specialties you must try!
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