Pará · Brazil Capital
In the destination Belém and the Guajará Islands.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The city
Belém brings together markets, theaters and historic churches among Amazon rivers and islands. The old center, the tree-lined squares and the culture of Pará bring visitors close to the history of the state capital and its waters.
3 places to stay in Belém.
3 places picked to eat.
What to know before you go.
The local experience
A market on the edge of the Baía do Guajará, running since the 17th century, with the towers of the Mercado de Ferro (Iron Market) beside it. It brings together fish, herbs, herbal tonics, fruit and smells you will not find anywhere else.
Old port warehouses turned into restaurants, bars and a performance space, with the original cranes preserved. The best place in the city to watch the sunset over the bay.
A nature park on the riverbank with an Amazon bird aviary, a butterfly house and a lighthouse-shaped viewpoint. You can see scarlet ibises up close.
A church of marble and stained glass inspired by the Roman basilicas, the heart of the Círio de Nazaré. Even outside October, the grandeur of its interior is impressive.
Discover Basílica Santuário de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré
An 1878 neoclassical performance hall, a symbol of rubber-era wealth, with a grand salon and a horseshoe-shaped auditorium. It hosts concerts and guided tours.
A research institution founded in the 19th century, with a zoo and botanical park, an archaeological collection and exhibitions about the Amazon. The walk is under centuries-old trees.
Discover Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi
Fifteen minutes by boat from downtown, an island of forest and stilt houses with riverside restaurants and artisan chocolate making. Having lunch there with your feet almost in the water is a must.
A colonial ensemble in the Feliz Lusitânia complex, where the city began in 1616, now with museums and views of the bay. The terrace is great in the late afternoon.
Discover Forte do Presépio e Casa das Onze Janelas
