Brasilia, Brasil, the nation’s federal capital, is a masterpiece of urban design. This modern city, known for its green spaces, striking monumental buildings, and intimate, living districts, will intrigue and delight visitors with its well-thought-out urban planning. A delight of urban design, Brasilia inspires visitors to contemplate the connection between the urban environment and human interactions. Construction of the city began in 1956 following the design of urban planner Lucio Costa. The modernist Monumental Axis, with its clean, sweeping lines, contains the larger structures designed for the open requirements of public life.
A second major axis, along which the majority of the city’s housing is located, evenly divides the grand Monumental Axis. Costa envisioned the city as having four scales: monumental, residential, social, and bucolic. The city’s center, Costa’s social scale, rises around the intersection of the two axes. In 1987, UNESCO named the city a World Heritage Site in recognition of its innovative architecture and urban design. Brasilia is a city best appreciated when understood. What better way to learn all about the history, architecture, and urban planning of this interesting city than with an informative tour. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
1. Modernism architectural (Monumental Axis) tour
Get fascinating insight into Brasilia’s modernist architecture with an Artchitectours guided tour. Let a professional architect or art historian provide you with a comprehensive introduction to Brasilia’s unique urban design and city planning. Buildings of interest on the schedule include the Square of the Three Powers, the Palácio da Alvorada, and the National Congress. Artchitectours also has an excursion dedicated to exploring the equally fascinating Residential Axis.
Modernism architectural (Monumental Axis) tour
Website: Artchitectours
2. The four scales of Lucio bicycle tour
Spend five fun-filled hours bicycling through Brasilia. Explore public spaces in the monumental, residential, bucolic, and social scales. Mid-morning you’ll break for coffee and spend time resting at a local cafe. The tour stops for a delicious Brazilian lunch along the way. See more of the city than you could by walking while still getting a feel for the pace and landscape of this great urban environment.
The four scales of Lucio bicycle tour
Website: Camelo Bike Tours
3. Pub Crawl BSB
Dying for a night out on the town in Brasilia, but not sure where to go? Then this is the best tour for you. Let Pub Crawl BSB show you a night on the town in this unusual city. The tour takes you to four different popular nightspots in Brasilia. The PubCrawl van takes care of transportation from bar to bar. The drinks at each of the four stops are included in the price of the tour. Don’t like waiting in lines at nightclubs? No problem, the tour takes care of that as well. Join in and paint the town red.
Pub Crawl BSB
Website: Pub Crawl BSB
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4. Rent a local friend
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
What do you love to do? Interested in learning the secrets to making a delicious home-cooked, Brazilian meal? Want to find the best place to eat off the beaten track? How does an afternoon playing pickup soccer in the park sound? Rent a local friend puts you in contact with local people interested in sharing what they love about their city with visitors. Search the website according to your interests, contact a local friend through the platform, and agree on a plan. This might be the most authentic fun you have in Brasilia.
Rent a Local Friend
Website: Rent a Local Friend
5. Traditional city tour
If you only have a short period of time in Brasilia and want to take in all the major sites at once, this traditional city tour is an ideal solution for you. You’ll see all of the city’s highlights from the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle. The National Stadium of Brasilia, Palace of the Buriti, Army Headquarters, JK Memorial, Television Tower, Metropolitan Cathedral Nossa Senhora Aparecida, Esplanada dos Ministérios, National Congress, Itamaraty Palace, Palace of Justice, Three Powers Square, Alvorada Palace, and JK Bridge are all included in the excursion. All the stops are made at selected sites to allow for photos and extended viewing.
Traditional city tour
Website: Brasilia Tour
6. Full-day tour to Pirenópolis
Take a full-day tour to this enchanting, colonial city in the mountains. Founded in 1727, Pirenópolis is a small city full of old churches, wonderful architecture, and interesting crafts to discover. Treat yourself to the unique cuisine of the Goiás region over lunch in this quaint city. Cool off under the waterfalls of the Bom Sucesso Farm on the way home.
Full-day tour to Pirenópolis
Website: Brasilia Tour
7. Tour of Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park
Explore the beauty of Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park with this tour from Brasilia. Full of waterfalls, stunning vistas, colorful birds, and hidden wonders, this park is an absolute delight. The area is a fascinating micro-region in the state of Goiás. The drive from Brasilia is a bit of a haul, but an afternoon in this natural wonderland is more than worth it. Make sure to bring lots of water and wear sturdy shoes!
Tour of Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park
Website: Brasilia Tour
The thoughtful beauty of Brasilia
There is no denying Brasilia’s importance when it comes to modern architecture and urban design. Few other capital cities have been created so recently in history. Brasilia’s attraction is its urban planning, architecture and design. The beauty of the city is the effort that went into creating a thoughtful urban environment; spaces intentionally crafted to support the specific rhythms, flows, and activities of city life. How does the space in which we live impact the way we move through life, how well we know our neighbors, the ease with which we meet and get to know new people? Maybe things really are different in Brasilia. Enjoy Brazil.
History
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