Thirty Brazilian Colonial Cities Worth Visiting

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Built during the colonial period, some historic cities scattered throughout Brazil managed to preserve some of the features of that period, with countless well-preserved houses, cobblestone streets, huge churches with their interiors full of gilded decorations and other imposing monuments.

This scenario gives us a sense of nostalgia and takes us straight back to the past, so that tourists visiting these historic cities understand (or at least imagine) what the daily lives of the people who lived in these cities at that time were like.

We have compiled a list of 30 historic cities in Brazil that are charming and full of interesting attractions that combine history and nature.

COLONIAL CITIES IN SOUTHEAST BRAZIL

Paraty – Rio de Janeiro State

The city of Paraty, one of the most visited destinations of Rio de Janeiro State, has a charming historic center off the coast with blue and green waters. In addition to the symbolic buildings that adorn the streets and alleys of the historic city, tourists can enjoy great beaches and ecological trails.

Petrópolis – Rio de Janeiro State

It was born from the dream of Emperor D. Pedro I, who discovered the climatic values and natural beauties of the mountain region.

São Luiz do Paraitinga – São Paulo State

The city receives many tourists during the year, but it is at Carnival that the destination has its climax when thousands of celebrants color the streets of the old town to accompany the traditional marches.

Bananal – São Paulo State

Bananal is very close to the border with the state of Rio de Janeiro and still preserves its historical heritage. It also has coffee farms in the middle of the Atlantic forest, which are very well-preserved and can be visited.

Iguape – São Paulo State

Iguape is one of the oldest cities in Brazil and is located 220 km from São Paulo on the state’s southern coast. Those who like the beach can take a ferry and cross a bridge to Ilha Comprida, or take a ferry to Barra da Ribeira.

Ouro Preto – Minas Gerais

The city of Ouro Preto, now bearing the title Historical Heritage of Humanity, is the great jewel of the State of Minas Gerais. “Black gold” houses the largest architectural complex of the Brazilian Baroque period, and preserves imposing buildings that are part of the country’s history, such as the churches of São Francisco de Assis and Nossa Senhora do Pilar, which are decorated with more than 400 kilos of gold.

São João del Rei – Minas Gerais

Among the most important postcards of this charming historic city are the church of São Francisco de Assis as well as townhouses and villas such as Solar dos Neves, which still belong to the family of former Brazilian president Tancredo Neves. Another popular attraction is the trip on the Maria Fumaça steam engine to the nearby city of Tiradentes.

Tiradentes – Minas Gerais

Another city well known for tourists passing the Estrada Real is Tiradentes. The friendly city in Minas Gerais attracts visitors looking for tourism that combines history, gastronomy, crafts, culture, and ecotourism. Located 200 km from Belo Horizonte at the foot of the Serra de São José, the city offers several nature walks to enjoy ecological trails and beautiful waterfalls.

Diamantina – Minas Gerais

Founded in 1713, the municipality became the third largest settlement in the state by discovering a large concentration of diamonds. Walk through the streets and discover a little Brazilian history through the old buildings of the city. If you like nature, don’t forget to explore the “Gruta do Monte” grotto.

Serro – Minas Gerais

Surrounded by beautiful mountains, hills, rivers and waterfalls, the small town of Serro lies in the northeast of the state of Minas Gerais, in the hilly region of Serra do Espinhaço, 240 km from Belo Horizonte.

Congonhas – Minas Gerais

The Senhor Bom Jesus de Matosinhos basilica, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is one of the greatest treasures of this destination. The best time to visit Congonhas is Holy Week, when the city hosts religious performances, processions and novenas that move around all the streets and hills of the town.

Mariana – Minas Gerais

It was the first village, the first capital and the richest city in the state of Minas Gerais. The main attractions of the destination are the churches of São Francisco de Assis and Nossa Senhora do Carmo, both built on the same square by families who fought over which was more prestigious.

COLONIAL CITIES IN NORTHEAST BRAZIL

Porto Seguro – Bahia

The first settlement of Brazil is located in the city of Porto Seguro in the south of the state of Bahia. Built on a cliff, the space offers imposing buildings and historic churches.

Salvador – Bahia

The historic center of Salvador, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 and the following year, has a magnificent architectural, landscape and urban complex.

Lençóis – Bahia

The charming town of Lençóis is the starting point for a visit to the Chapada Diamantina and is closest to the Morro do Pai Inácio mesa and the Pratinha and Torrinha caves.

Valença – Bahia 

Valença is the gateway to Morro de São Paulo, one of Bahia’s most coveted destinations. The small town has a charming, colorful center with 18th century houses and buildings.

Piranhas – Alagoas

The charming town of Piranhas, built on the banks of the São Francisco River, was famous for being the place where the heads of backland rebel Lampião and his gang were exposed. The town is famous for its colorful houses, which are well distributed in streets and alleys and lead to impressive vantage points where you can observe the whole region.

Penedo – Alagoas

Penedo was the first city in the state. Founded in the middle of the 16th century, Penedo also lies on the banks of the São Francisco River. The biggest attraction of the region, however, is the boat trip that leads to the mouth of “Velho Chico” in the neighboring city of Piaçabuçu.

São Cristóvão – Sergipe

The country’s fourth oldest city attracts tourists who want to see some of Brazil’s richest collections of sacred art.

Laranjeiras – Sergipe

The town of Laranjeira is only 24 kilometres from the state capital Aracaju, and was home to numerous sugar cane mills and an important centre for the marketing of slaves.

Olinda – Pernambuco

Only 6 km from state capital Recife, the historic center of Olinda is full of hills with charming little houses that take the tourist who explores them to Mirante da Sé, where you can see the whole city with Recife in the background.

São Luís – Maranhão

The state capital is famous for the Portuguese tiles (“azulejos”) that decorate the facades of the villas in the historic center. There you will find markets selling local products, restaurants and great bars.

Alcântara – Maranhão

Just an hour from the historic center of São Luís, Alcântara deserves its recognition as one of Brazil’s most beautiful historic cities. The streets still bear imposing houses and ruins that have collapsed over time. The city is located on a plateau, where you can clearly observe the sea and the capital of Maranhão.

COLONIAL CITY IN THE NORTH OF BRAZIL

Bragança – Pará

Bragança is located in the north-east of Pará, 210 kilometers from state capital Belém, and is one of the most popular destinations for tourists visiting the northern region of the country. The city of Portuguese origin preserves remarkable religious features in its culture and also celebrates saints days for São Sebastião and Nossa Senhora de Nazaré.

COLONIAL CITIES IN THE SOUTH OF BRAZIL

Lapa – Paraná

The friendly city of Lapa has 14 blocks and 258 buildings that are part of the national heritage. The destination is only 65 km from state capital Curitiba and has the largest architectural complex in the state of Paraná.

São Francisco do Sul – Santa Catarina

Located in Babitonga Bay, the destination was founded in 1504 and is the third oldest settlement in Brazil as well as the oldest in Santa Catarina.

São Miguel das Missões – Rio Grande do Sul

The ruins of São Miguel are one of the most important Brazilian monuments and are located almost on the border of Rio Grande do Sul with Argentina; the missions were abandoned by the Jesuits in the 17th century.

Antônio Prado – Rio Grande do Sul

The “most Italian city in Brazil” was the last Italian colony, founded in 1886 during the imperial era. Today, the destination has the largest and most complete architectural complex of the Italian colonization of the country, with 48 buildings in the city center, recognized by the Institute of Historical and Artistic National Heritage.

COLONIAL CITIES IN THE CENTER WEST OF BRAZIL

Pirenópolis – Goiás

The small town of Pirenópolis or Piri, as locals call it, is inside Goiás; its charming historic center is surrounded by hills and waterfalls.

Goiás Velho – Goiás

Go back in time and stroll through the beautiful streets of the old town of Goiás. To get to know the small churches of the 18th century, try the famous Goiás sweets and visit the Casa de Cora Coralina, forget the car and walk without hurry through the picturesque stone streets.