DF · GO · Brazil
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Brasília is an open-air tour of Oscar Niemeyer's curves, from the Congress to the Cathedral. Between one monument and the next, Lago Paranoá (lake) and the preserved cerrado (Brazilian savanna) add a green counterpoint. And just over a hundred kilometers away, the giant waterfalls of the surrounding Goiás countryside begin.
This destination brings together 2 cities: Brasília, Formosa.
A look at the place
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Brasília brings together modern architecture, wide public spaces and the scenery of Lago Paranoá (lake). The three arches of the Ponte Juscelino Kubitschek (bridge) mark the crossing between different parts of the capital.
Formosa brings together waterfalls, caves and cerrado (Brazilian savanna) landscapes in northeastern Goiás, near the Federal District. The Salto do Itiquira stands out for its drop between cliffs and forest in the municipal park.
The local experience
Niemeyer's two domes and twin towers have become a symbol of the whole country. Free guided tours go into the chambers and the inner halls.
A huge sinkhole formed when the roof of a quartzite cave collapsed, about 105 meters deep. Dense forest with giant ferns grows at the bottom, and the walls are used for rappelling.
Discover Buraco das Araras (Dolina dos Maracanãs)
Sixteen concrete columns open like hands in prayer, and the interior is bathed in light from Marianne Peretti's colorful stained glass. The underground entrance sets up the effect.
Discover Catedral Metropolitana de Brasília
A lagoon about 5 km from downtown that is the source of the Rio Preto (river), in the São Francisco basin; a Crown tax post operated nearby in the 18th century. Today it is used for fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing and boat rides.
Where the Planalto, the Supreme Court and the Congress meet, surrounded by sculptures such as Os Guerreiros and the Dove of Peace. This is where Lucio Costa's plan makes sense.
Discover Praça dos Três Poderes
Three steel arches crisscrossing over Lago Paranoá in a movement that recalls a stone skipping across the water. Lit up at dusk, it is one of the city's postcard images.
Discover Ponte Juscelino Kubitschek
A group of limestone rocks near the springs of the Rio Paranã (river), with prehistoric rock paintings on the walls. The visit includes trails and waterfalls, and Iphan (Brazil's national heritage institute) is in the process of listing the site.
Discover Sítio Arqueológico Toca da Onça
From outside it is a plain concrete block; inside, thousands of pieces of blue stained glass create the feeling of a night sky. The central crystal chandelier completes the effect.
It holds the tomb and personal collection of Juscelino Kubitschek, with the president's statue inside a concrete sickle. It tells the story of the capital's construction through objects and photos.
Known as Água Mineral, it has spring-fed pools of running water, cerrado trails and a real chance of seeing maned wolves and deer. It is a few minutes from downtown.
Discover Parque Nacional de Brasília
Designed by Oscar Niemeyer and opened in 1970, it houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has an arched facade over a reflecting pool landscaped by Burle Marx. Guided tours show the column-free hall, the unsupported staircase and works by Athos Bulcão and Volpi.
A 168-meter drop in a municipal park with natural pools, frequent rainbows at the base and camping facilities. It is about 100 km from Brasília, so you can go and come back in a day.
Your base to explore
Where you stay is part of the trip. Choose the area that best fits your itinerary.
A hotel on Avenida Tancredo Neves, in Formosa, about 80 km from Brasília, with its own event space. It caters to people visiting the town for work or events, or passing through on the way to the waterfalls.
A hotel in the Setor Hoteleiro Norte, near shopping malls and the Eixo Monumental, with a pool and gym. It caters to business travelers and tourists who want to stay in central Brasília.
Chalet accommodation inside Itiquira Park, a leisure complex on the road to Salto do Itiquira, in Formosa. It suits families who want to stay near the waterfall and enjoy the complex's pools and water park.
A hotel on the shore of Lago Paranoá, in the Setor de Hotéis de Turismo Norte, near the Palácio da Alvorada, with heated pools and a restaurant. It caters to leisure and business trips.
A hotel designed by Oscar Niemeyer and opened in 1958, in the Setor de Hotéis e Turismo Norte, on the shore of Lago Paranoá and near the Palácio da Alvorada. It caters to guests who want to stay in a landmark of the capital's modernist architecture.
A hotel in downtown Formosa, on Avenida Brasília, next to Praça Anísio Lobo, with three categories of suites and breakfast. It caters to business and leisure travelers who want to stay close to the town's shops and services.
Flavors of the destination
A country restaurant with an all-you-can-eat buffet of home-style Goiás and Minas Gerais food, on the GO-116, the road to Salto do Itiquira, in Formosa. With green space and a playground, it is a stop for families on their way to the waterfall.
A Northeastern Brazilian restaurant in the Setor de Clubes Esportivos Sul, on the shore of Lago Paranoá, with a varied buffet and à la carte dishes. It is a classic outing for families and groups in Brasília.
An international restaurant on Avenida Brasília, in Formosa, with Italian- and Mediterranean-inspired dishes and seafood. It works well for lunches and dinners for two, with family or for business.
A contemporary Brazilian restaurant with a wine bar, in the commercial block of 210 Sul. It is recommended for dinners with creative dishes.
A restaurant serving home-style Goiás food buffet-style from a wood-fired stove, on Rua Olímpio Jacinto, in downtown Formosa, with decor reminiscent of the 1970s. It is a good choice for a family lunch with typical regional dishes.
A Japanese restaurant at the Pontão do Lago Sul, on the shore of Lago Paranoá, voted best in its category at the 2025 Prêmio BRB Gastronomia. It is a good choice for dinner with a lake view, in one of the city's busiest dining hubs.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
Brasília International Airport receives flights from all over the country; by road, the BR-040 comes from the Southeast and the BR-060 connects to Goiânia.
From May to September, in the dry season, with blue skies and mild temperatures; if you prefer the green cerrado, go between November and March.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
