What to do in São João del Rei

Activities, attractions and tours

Photo by Jock Watson
Photo by Jock Watson

São João del Rei Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that São João del Rei has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

São João del Rei is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in São João del Rei to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

São João del Rei Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of São João del Rei.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to São João del Rei attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

Explore thousands of activities with free cancellation and no added fees.

Design your experience with airport transfers, excursions, day tours & more.

Get an insider's look in what to book before you travel.

What to do in São João del Rei

Discover the most popular places to visit in São João del Rei

Saint Francis of Assisi Church

Learn about the local history of São João del Rei when you spend time at Saint Francis of Assisi Church. Discover the area's mountain views and monuments.

Saint Francis of Assisi Church

Solar da Baronesa de Itaverava

You can find out about the history of São João del Rei when you stop by Solar da Baronesa de Itaverava. Experience the area's museums and festivals.

Solar da Baronesa de Itaverava

Sao Joao del Rei Municipal Theater

You can get tickets for a performance at Sao Joao del Rei Municipal Theater during your stay in São João del Rei. Discover the area's museums and monuments.

Sao Joao del Rei Municipal Theater

Our Lady of Mercy Church

You can find out about the history of São João del Rei when you stop by Our Lady of Mercy Church. Discover the area's museums and monuments.

Our Lady of Mercy Church

Our Lady of Sorrows Church

Our Lady of Sorrows Church is just one of the places to see in São João del Rei, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the area's mountain views and monuments.

Our Lady of Sorrows Church

Regional Museum

You can spend an afternoon studying the exhibits at Regional Museum in São João del Rei. Discover the area's mountain views and monuments.

Regional Museum

Museu Ferroviário

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Museu Ferroviário during your trip to São João del Rei. Discover the area's mountain views and monuments.

Museu Ferroviário

Church of Saint Goncalo Garcia

Church of Saint Goncalo Garcia is just one of the places to see in São João del Rei, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the area's museums and monuments.

Church of Saint Goncalo Garcia

Nossa Senhora do Pilar Cathedral

Nossa Senhora do Pilar Cathedral is just one of the places to see in São João del Rei, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Make time to visit the monuments and churches while you're in the area.

Nossa Senhora do Pilar Cathedral

Explore areas of São João del Rei

Default Image

Sao Joao del Rei Centro

You'll enjoy the museums and monuments in Sao Joao del Rei Centro. You might want to make time for a stop at Sao Joao del Rei Municipal Theater or Solar da Baronesa de Itaverava.

Sao Joao del Rei Centro
Default Image

Colônia do Marçal

While Colônia do Marçal might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Royal Road Automobile Museum and Sao Joao del Rei Municipal Theater.

Colônia do Marçal
Default Image

Fábricas

Travelers like the museums in Fábricas, and Tancredo Neves Memorial is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Fábricas
Default Image

Matosinhos

While Matosinhos isn't home to many top sights, Sao Joao del Rei Municipal Theater and Solar da Baronesa de Itaverava are some notable places to visit nearby.

Matosinhos
Default Image

Jardim Central

While Jardim Central isn't home to many top sights, Our Lady of Sorrows Church and Solar da Baronesa de Itaverava are some notable places to visit nearby.

Jardim Central
Default Image

Senhor dos Montes

While Senhor dos Montes might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Solar da Baronesa de Itaverava and Our Lady of Mercy Church.

Senhor dos Montes

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Frequently asked questions

Is São João del Rei worth visiting?
Whether you're coming to enjoy the local charm and cultural highlights or try regional foods and venture into nature, there are many things to do in São João del Rei.
How do I spend a day in São João del Rei?
Tiradentes Train Station and Museu Ferroviário are two great places to start your getaway adventures. Be sure to check out the retail and dining options in São João del Rei while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in São João del Rei?
The top tourist attraction in São João del Rei is Nossa Senhora do Pilar Cathedral, so make sure to put it on your itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in São João del Rei?
Three days in São João del Rei is more than enough to visit the city's leading attractions. Many travellers stay for two days on average. Nossa Senhora do Pilar Cathedral, Museum of Sacred Art and Museu Regional de Sao Joao del-Rei are among the top-rated sights. Like to see more? Stick around a little longer to check off nearby hotspots such as Tiradentes.
Is São João del Rei a walkable city?
Some top attractions in São João del Rei, including Nossa Senhora do Pilar Cathedral and Museu Regional de Sao Joao del-Rei, are within walking distance. You can also discover several of the city's neighbourhoods on foot. Only 0.16 kilometres from central São João del Rei is Sao Joao del Rei Centro and Jardim Central is 2 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in São João del Rei with kids?
If you are after tours and attractions for all of your group, check out these great ideas for what to do in São João del Rei with kids.

What to do in São João del Rei for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food connoisseur or outdoor explorer, there's no shortage of things to do in São João del Rei for adults including Tiradent's Museum and Sant'Ana Museum.
Are there free things to do in São João del Rei?
One of the top ways to discover free things to do in São João del Rei is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider tips on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other hotspots you can visit without taking your wallet out. Nossa Senhora do Pilar Cathedral is one place that doesn't have an entrance fee.