These are the best places to travel this summer

Minas Gerais

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Overview of rainforest regrowth and wetlands.

Michael Heffernan

LONELY PLANET’S RECOMMENDED eSIM

Stay connected in Minas Gerais

with

Saily is an affordable eSIM service that helps you stay connected and secure, anywhere in the world.

Get your eSIM

Overview

For those seeking a tangible sense of Brazilian history, no state compares with Minas Gerais. The tortuous cobblestone streets and baroque monuments of colonial mining towns like Ouro Preto, Tiradentes and Diamantina have seen it all, from the horrors of enslaved people to the fervor of Brazil's 18th-century independence movement.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Instituto de Arte Contemporânea Inhotim

    Instituto de Arte Contemporânea Inhotim

    Belo Horizonte

    The world's largest open-air contemporary art museum, and greater Belo Horizonte's standout attraction, this sprawling, world-class complex of gardens…

  • Mineirão & Museu Brasileiro do Futebol

    Mineirão & Museu Brasileiro do Futebol

    Belo Horizonte

    An obligatory stop for football fans, Belo Horizonte's legendary 65,000-seat stadium was completely renovated for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, incorporating a…

  • Mazuma Mineira

    Mazuma Mineira

    Minas Gerais

    If you've ever wondered how cachaça (Brazil's famous sugarcane alcohol) is made, this is a perfect place to learn. This small-scale alambique (distillery)…

  • Parque Estadual Serra do Intendente

    Parque Estadual Serra do Intendente

    Minas Gerais

    This remote state park, 19km west of Conceição do Mato Dentro at the end of a rugged dirt road, preserves a 13,500-hectare chunk of backcountry within…

  • Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil

    Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil

    Belo Horizonte

    Inaugurated in late 2013, this magnificent palace on Praça da LIberdade is one of Belo Horizonte's cultural gems. The vast 3rd-floor gallery hosts special…

  • Igreja de São Francisco de Assis

    Igreja de São Francisco de Assis

    Minas Gerais

    This exquisite 1774 baroque church, fronted by a palm-shaded, lyre-shaped plaza, is home to two Aleijadinho sculptures (second altar to the left) and one…

  • Igreja de São Francisco de Assis

    Igreja de São Francisco de Assis

    Minas Gerais

    This exquisite church is Brazil's most important piece of colonial art, after Aleijadinho’s masterpiece The Prophets in Congonhas. Its entire exterior was…

  • Igreja Matriz de Santo Antônio

    Igreja Matriz de Santo Antônio

    Minas Gerais

    Named for Tiradentes' patron saint, this gorgeous church is one of Aleijadinho's last designs. The dazzling gold interior is rich in Old Testament…

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Minas Gerais