shopping · Petrópolis, RJ
Rua Teresa
A clothing shopping street since 1916, known for knitwear sold at factory prices. There are hundreds of shops along a gentle slope, busy all year round.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Rua Teresa
Rua Teresa already appears on the original 1846 plan of Petrópolis, and its name honors Empress Teresa Cristina. It is in Alto da Serra and was long the entrance to the city: the road to Minas passed through it and, from 1883, the train tracks. Until 1928, it was the only way into downtown for people coming from Rio.
In the early 20th century, railroad workshops and textile mills set up in the area. When the big mills closed in the 1970s, former workers opened clothing workshops on the street itself. That is how the knitwear hub was born. Today there are more than a thousand shops along about 2 kilometers, in the largest fashion hub in the mountain region, which creates nearly 20,000 direct jobs.
The street is practically flat, with a slight incline, and has shops on both sides, one after another. It sells every kind of clothing: knitwear, sweaters, women's, men's and children's fashion. Many shops offer wholesale prices from just a few pieces, and it is common to see tour groups and resellers with rolling suitcases. Much of what is sold is made in workshops in the city itself.
It is busiest on Saturdays and at the change of seasons, when there are sales. In February 2022, during the storm that hit Petrópolis, water rushed down the Alto da Serra hills and flooded part of the street. The shops reopened in less than three weeks. During festivals, such as the Bauernfest, the shopkeepers' association has organized vans from downtown to the street.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
Half a day to walk the street at a relaxed pace.
Best time
Tuesday to Friday, in the morning, to avoid the Saturday crowds. On Monday, most shops open only in the afternoon; on Sunday, only some open.
How to get there
It is in Alto da Serra, near downtown. Frequent buses leave the Terminal Centro for the neighborhood. By car, there is metered street parking, hard to find on weekends, and private parking lots nearby.
Tip
There are about 2 km of shops: wear comfortable shoes and cover one side on the way up and the other on the way back. To buy wholesale, ask each shop about the minimum number of pieces.
A look at the place
Rua Teresa in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Rua Teresa
Are the shops on Rua Teresa open on Sunday?
Only some. From Tuesday to Saturday they are fully open; on Monday, most shops open only in the afternoon.
Can you buy wholesale?
Yes. Many shops offer wholesale prices from just a few pieces. The minimum varies from shop to shop.
Is there parking?
There is metered street parking, hard to find on weekends, and private parking lots nearby.
Can I get there by bus?
Yes. Frequent buses run from the Terminal Centro to Alto da Serra.