park · São Lourenço, MG
Parque das Águas
It has nine mineral water springs, a lake with pedal boats and the Ilha dos Amores (island), created in the 1930s. It is also home to the 1935 Art Deco bathhouse, with hydrotherapy services.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Parque das Águas
The Parque das Águas is the postcard image of São Lourenço, in southern Minas Gerais. It covers about 430,000 square meters of green space in the town center and has nine mineral water springs, each with its own composition. It is what made the town a mineral spa destination.
The first spring, Oriente, was tapped in 1892. In the 1930s and 1940s, the heyday of spa tourism in Brazil, the park gained its Art Deco buildings, designed by French architect Henri Sajous. The ensemble, with bathhouse, pavilions, springs, lake and landscaping, has been listed as Minas Gerais state heritage since 2018.
The most traditional outing is to go around the springs and taste the waters. The Fonte Vichy is the most famous: its composition is compared to that of the waters of Vichy, in France. There are also magnesium, iron, alkaline and sulfur springs, among others. Take small sips, because some waters are quite strong.
In the middle of the park is a large lake with pedal boats and the Ilha dos Amores (island), surrounded by lawns and tree-lined paths. The 1935 bathhouse is still in operation, with baths and other hydrotherapy services. There is also a Japanese garden, play areas for children, cafés and a restaurant.
The paths around the lake are mostly paved and flat, which makes the visit easy for families and older travelers. It is a slow-paced outing, for walking, sitting in the shade and spending a few hours.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
Two to four hours for the springs and the lake; half a day or more if you include the bathhouse and a meal in the park.
Best time
In the morning, when the park is cooler and emptier and the light is good around the lake. On weekends and holidays it is much busier.
How to get there
It is in downtown São Lourenço, on Praça João Lage, a few steps from the hotels in the central area. If you come by car, there is parking nearby.
Tip
Bring a cup or small bottle to taste and collect water from the springs, and sip slowly: some are very mineralized. If you plan to leave and come back on the same day, ask at the ticket office about a re-entry ticket.
A look at the place
Parque das Águas 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 Parque das Águas
Is there an entrance fee at the Parque das Águas in São Lourenço?
Yes, there is an entrance fee, with discounts for residents and some groups. Bathhouse services are charged separately. Check prices at the ticket office.
How many springs are there at the Parque das Águas in São Lourenço?
There are nine mineral water springs, each with a different composition, including the Fonte Vichy, Oriente and Primavera.
Can you drink the spring water?
Yes, and it is the park's main attraction. Take small sips, because some waters are highly mineralized. Bring a cup or small bottle.
How long does it take to see the Parque das Águas?
Two to four hours for the springs and the lake. With the bathhouse and lunch in the park, allow half a day or more.
What is there to do at the Parque das Águas in São Lourenço?
Taste the spring waters, take a pedal boat out on the lake, stroll through the gardens, visit the Japanese garden and enjoy baths and other services at the bathhouse.