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Before you go
Your trip to Bichinho.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Bichinho – MG Destination Historic Towns of Minas Gerais (Estrada Real) about 200 km from Belo Horizonte
How to get there
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Rodoviária de Tiradentes Tiradentes · 8 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
From Tiradentes it is about 7 to 8 km on a dirt road along the Serra de São José; the same road continues to Prados. From Belo Horizonte take BR-040 and BR-383 to Tiradentes, a total of about 200 km. There is a local bus line between Tiradentes and Bichinho, with few schedules.
How many days
Half a day or a full day is enough for the church, the studios and a mineiro lunch. Those staying in Tiradentes usually go to Bichinho in the afternoon and return at night; spending a night in the village is for those who want peace and quiet.
When to go
Any time of year. From April to September there is little rain, days are stable and nights are cold. From December to March it rains more in the afternoons, and the dirt road can get muddy. Weekends and holidays fill the studios' street.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Note: the distance from Tiradentes is short, but the local bus has few departures, and many studios are spread along the road. You can also go by bicycle, on horseback, or by rental car with driver from Tiradentes. Within the village everything is done on foot.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Bichinho
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Morning
Estrada da Serra de São José
Leave Tiradentes along the dirt road that follows the Serra de São José and stop at the studios along the way for furniture, sculptures and iron pieces.
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Afternoon
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Penha
Have a mineiro lunch in the village and visit the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Penha de França, in the town center, to see the altars and the ceiling painting.
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Late afternoon
Rua dos ateliês
Walk along the main street, with shops selling embroidery, crochet, rugs and papier-mâché, and return to Tiradentes before dark.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Are Bichinho and Vitoriano Veloso the same place?
Yes. Vitoriano Veloso is the official name of the district of Prados that everyone calls Bichinho. The official name honors Vitoriano Gonçalves Veloso, a tailor who carried messages for the inconfidentes in the 18th century.
What is the distance from Tiradentes to Bichinho?
About 7 to 8 km on a dirt road that follows the Serra de São José. By car it takes about 20 minutes.
What to buy in Bichinho?
Handicrafts: wooden furniture and sculptures, iron pieces, embroidery, fuxicos, crochet, rugs and papier-mâché objects, made in the village studios and along the road from Tiradentes.
Can you go from Tiradentes to Bichinho without a car?
Yes: by local bus, with few departures; by taxi; by bicycle or on horseback, with tours that depart from Tiradentes. Check return schedules before you go.