Top 10 Famous Buildings In South America

famous buildings in south america
Tenissa
Tenissa 
Updated
| 4 min read

To some globetrotters, South America seems so far away that they keep delaying their visit to the continent that is mostly situated in the Southern Hemisphere. If you are one of them, you are missing out on something that is truly splendid. Do not think about the long flight or how much the trip is going to cost you, because all your effort, time, and money are going to be worth it once you reach the most exotic countries in the world, including Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia. The diverse culture, the friendly and warm locals, and the chill vibes are among the best things about South America. Some of the countries even have skyscrapers and landmarks that you will definitely want to see. Keep reading to find out about the top famous buildings in South America for the most perfect selfies.

1. Altino Arantes Building, Sao Paulo

Altino Arantes and Others 2
Source: Photo by user Donatas Dabravolskas used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Brazil is famous for its soccer players, the Amazon rainforest, and the carnivals. But did you know that Brazil boasts some of the best skyscrapers in the world? Find your way to Altino Arantes Building that is located in Sao Paulo, the financial and architectural hub of Brazil. Also known as Banespa Building, Altino Arantes Building is an Art Deco structure that was built as a tribute to Altino Arantes Marques, the first president of Sao Paulo. Get to the observation deck and marvel at the sweeping views of the city from above. You may see the resemblance between this skyscraper and the Empire State Building in New York. Indeed, the design of the building was inspired by the latter.

Altino Arantes Building

Address: Rua João Brícola, 24 - Centro, São Paulo - SP, 01014-900, Brazil

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 8pm; Sun: 9am - 7pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 1 USD (4.5 BRL)

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2. Gran Torre Santiago, Providencia

Gran Torre Santiago 01
Source: Photo by user Jorge Barrios Riq... used under CC BY-SA 3.0

There is one compelling reason to visit Gran Torre Santiago, which is known as the “Great Santiago Tower” in English. This iconic landmark is not only the tallest building in Chile but also across Latin America. Comprising of 64 floors, the magnificent tower offers a unique experience where guests can marvel at the 360-degree view of Santiago.

Gran Torre Santiago

Address: Avenida Andres Bello 2457, Santiago 8320000, Chile

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3. Cali Tower, Cali

Torre de Cali desde Cristo Rey
Source: Photo by user Petruss used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Come to downtown Cali in Colombia and find your way to Cali Tower (Torre de Cali), the tallest building in the city that is also the third-tallest building in the country. The tower comprises 46 floors, and you will find a hotel inside the building. The structure is so tall that it stands out and you will be able see it even from afar.

Cali Tower

Address: Av de las Americas # 18N-26, 760001 Cali, Colombia

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4. Rio Sul Center, Rio de Janeiro

Rio Sul - panoramio
Source: Photo by user TMbux used under CC BY-SA 3.0

You need to include Rio de Janeiro when planning a trip to Latin America, not only because of its top-notch attractions like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain but also for its famous building: Rio Sul Center, also known as Rio Sul Tower. This is the tallest in this seaside city and the third-tallest building in the country, so there is no way you can ignore it. From the tower, you can admire scenic vistas of Copacabana Beach and Guanabara Bay, among others.

Rio Sul Center

Address: Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil

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5. Millennium Palace, Balneário Camboriú

Millennium Palace - Balneário Camboriú
Source: Photo by user Jair Prandi used under CC BY-SA 4.0

You will surely visit Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo during your travels to Brazil, but if you have more time to spare, why don’t you make a stop at Santa Catarina to admire its tallest building, Millennium Palace? Consisting of 46 floors, the skyscraper is also among the tallest buildings in South America. The palace is used for residential purposes, and it has a perfect location right in front of Ilha das Cabras, a popular island for diving and other fun water activities.

Millennium Palace

Address: Av. Atlântica, 2670 - Centro, Balneário Camboriú - SC, 88330-018, Brazil

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6. Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, Niterói

Contemporary Art Museum in Niteroi City 4
Source: Photo by user Donatas Dabravolskas used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Niterói Contemporary Art Museum is a famous building in Brazil worth visiting because it is not only an iconic landmark but also an art museum. Located in Rio de Janeiro, this attraction features a structure that resembles a saucer. Built by a renowned Brazilian architect named Oscar Niemeyer, the art museum stands elegantly on a cliffside, from which you can soak up the remarkable beauty of Guanabara Bay.

Niterói Contemporary Art Museum

Address: Mirante da Boa Viagem, s/nº - Boa Viagem, Niterói - RJ, 24210-390, Brazil

Website: Niterói Contemporary Art Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 50 USD (199 BRL)

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7. Torre Aqualina, Rosario

Torre Aqualina 2007-06-07 2
Source: Photo by user Pablo D. Flores used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Head to the province of Santa Fe in Argentina and you will come across a skyscraper named Torre Aqualina, which is used as a residential building. The construction of this place was completed in 2009, and there are 39 floors in total. The skyscraper is strategically situated. If you walk a few steps from the building, you will reach Parana River and several other attractions like Teatro El Circulo and National Flag Memorial.

Torre Aqualina

Address: Cor. San Luis and Alem Streets, Rosario, Argentina

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8. Las Lajas Sanctuary, Colombia

Ipiales, Colombia
Source: Photo by user Jonathan Hood used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Unlike many of the other famous buildings in South America that are skyscrapers, Las Lajas Sanctuary is a basilica that boasts magnificent Gothic Revival architecture. The sanctuary is uniquely positioned inside the canyon of the stunning Guaitara River. Visitors can enter for free, and there is also a museum under that you should visit if you are interested. To get to this beautiful attraction, you can arrive by taxi, and the driver will drop you off at the main entrance. From there, you will need to walk about 10 minutes to get to the sanctuary.

Las Lajas Sanctuary

Address: Santuario De Las Lajas, Potosí, Ipiales, Nariño, Colombia

Website: Las Lajas Sanctuary

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

Price: Free

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9. Avianca Building, Bogota

Avianca Building
Source: Pixabay

Last but not least is Avianca Building that can be found in the capital city of Colombia, Bogota. The skyscraper is an office building, and the best time to stop by to admire it is after you make a visit to Santander Park that is located close by. Soak up the amazing architectural design and the tranquil appearance of the first high-rise building in the city.

Avianca Building

Address: Intersection of 16th St. and 7th Ave., Next to Santander Park, Bogotá, Colombia

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10. Palacio Barolo, Buenos Aires (from USD 16.0)

famous buildings in south america | palacio barolo, buenos aires

While you are having fun tango dancing the night away and indulging in a delectable steak and a glass of wine in Buenos Aires, make sure you do not forget to stop by Palacio Barolo. Arguably the most beautiful landmark in the city, the skyscraper exudes eclectic style and consists of 22 floors. Nowadays, it is used for office purposes, and you can find some tour agencies, offices, clothing stores, and even an international school inside.

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Palacio Barolo: Admission Ticket and Guided Tour

Duration: 90 minute

129 reviews

Have a fun vacation in South America

With so many countries to visit and a lot of buildings and attractions to enjoy, you are certainly going to have fun in South America. Just be sure to spare time to make stops at these famous buildings.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Tenissa is a content writer, translator and editor. She enjoys being a globetrotter and has traveled to many countries around the world. So far, her favourite destination is Switzerland. She looks...Read more

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