Banespa Building

The ride to the top of the Banespa building (Rua João Brícola 24, Centro, tel. 11/3249-7405, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri.) involves two elevators and a flight of stairs. At the top, you can look out over the entire city and watch its main arteries pulse with life. The tallest building in South America in its day (1939), the Banespa building is still home to the central offices of the Banespa bank, which allows visitors to ascend to the top of its headquarters (in small groups) and take in the view. They charge nothing for this and even provide a pair of binoculars at the top. It’s one of the best (and cheapest) attractions in the downtown area. Next door is an excellent exhibition space with contemporary art showings and it’s just around the corner from the stock exchange. To get to the Banespa building, walk out the doors of the Catedral de Sé, continue across the praça and down Avenida Boa Vista. You’ll pass the Patio do Colégio museum on the right. Keep walking until you see the building on your left. You can also take the metro to the São Bento station, which is closest to Banespa.