Where to Stay in São Paulo (2024): The 7 Safest and Best Areas

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São Paulo is the world’s 6th largest city and is home to 22 million people, which means planning a trip here can be very intimidating, especially for a first-time visitor.

I clearly remember my first time visiting São Paulo, and I felt so overwhelmed trying to decide where to stay. I was also a little concerned about finding a relatively safe neighborhood.

Now that I’ve visited twice (once as a solo female traveler and once with my family), the whole process feels a lot less stressful.

I also have the inside scoop on where to find the safest neighborhoods in São Paulo, which kind of traveler each neighborhood is best for–based on your budget, interests, and travel preferences–and I’ll even share a few of the safest hotels to book in each district!

By the end, you’ll feel much more confident about where to stay in São Paulo.

1. Paulista Avenue: Best for First-Time Visitors

Paulista Avenue is an ideal place to stay in São Paulo, especially if it’s your first time visiting the city.

But you should be aware that it’s actually not a neighborhood. It’s a street that acts as a 1.25-mile-long street borderline to the neighborhoods of Bela Vista, Paraíso, Jardim Paulista, Consolação, and Cerqueira César. 

Paulista Avenue is considered the central hub for many of the city’s cultural and financial institutions.

It’s one of the most important streets in all of São Paulo, and staying here puts you in the center of the action, with nearby restaurants, shopping, bars, and cultural sites. There is something for everyone near Paulista Avenue, making it one of the best areas to stay in São Paulo for first-time visitors.

On Sundays, Paulista Avenue shuts down to car traffic, so walking around and exploring the shops and restaurants on busy weekends is even easier. These days also feel more lively because many street performers, food vendors, and artists sell handmade pieces on the street!

Things to Do Near Paulista Avenue

• Shopping at Cidade São Paulo – a large shopping center with boutique shops and higher-end brand shops, a food court, and a cinema.
• Museum of Art of São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand – a museum that’s one of Latin America’s most important collections of renowned art.
• Nightlife: Paulista Ave is full of great nightlife, from rooftop bars to underground techno clubs.
• Sunday pedestrian-only event on Paulista Avenue, which turns the street into a lively market and walking area.
• Miscellaneous festivals and celebrations – Check the local calendar, but one of the biggest events on Paulista Ave is the annual New Year’s Eve Festival.

2. Jardins: Safest Area to Stay in São Paulo

The Jardins is located just south of the famous Avenue Paulista, near several major sites and attractions. 

It’s where to stay in São Paulo if you’re after a luxurious, upscale, and safe neighborhood for tourists.

The beautiful street Rua Oscar Freire has several luxury designer shops, as well as upscale eateries like sushi bars and French bistros.

Things to do in the Jardins District

• High-end luxury shopping – especially on Rua Oscar Freire.
• Visit Paróquia Nossa Senhora do Brasil– a beautiful Catholic church.
• Check out MIS (Museu da Imagem e do Som)– a museum on films, music, videos, and photos.
• Relax at the nearby Parque Ibirapuera – one of São Paulo’s most picturesque parks.

3. Itaim Bibi: Best for a Luxury Stay

Located next to the Jardins, Itaim Bibi is another one of the best neighborhoods for an upscale vacation in São Paulo. This glamorous area is known for its high-end shopping, upscale eateries, high-rise corporate headquarters, and glitzy nightlife.

Although there are quite a few high-end stores in Itaim Bibi, it’s more well-known for its high-end nightclubs, classy bars, and food scene. You’ll find everything from burger joints to upscale Italian eateries.

Many corporate headquarters occupy high-rise buildings here, so this is where most people stay when traveling for business. Lastly, it is close to one of São Paulo’s nicest parks, Parque Ibirapuera.

Things to do in Itaim Bibi

• Visit Parque Ibirapuera – one of the most scenic parks in São Paulo.
• Enjoy a taste of Italy at Eataly – a  3-story food court with several Italian markets and restaurants.
• Experience the local nightlife – from glitzy clubs to classy bars.
• Check out one of the many art galleries – Galeria Oscar Cruz is a fav.
  

Pinheiros and the nearby Vila Madalena neighborhood are known as the artsy, hipster districts in São Paulo.

While walking around the area, you’ll see unique vintage and boutique shops, street art, eclectic cafes, and bars with live music.

It’s the perfect neighborhood for tourists looking for a bohemian/hipster vibe.

Staying in Pinheiros gives you easy access to Brazilian art and culture.

The laid-back neighborhood is full of boutique art galleries, shops, low-key restaurants, and lots of bars with live music. One really cool area is Beco do Batman (Batman’s Alley), an alley that’s become an open-air art gallery featuring vibrant and colorful graffiti-style murals.

Things to do in Pinheiros

• Grab a drink and listen to music at one of the local bars – Santana Bar, Ó do Borogodó, and Guilhotina Bar are some local favorites!
• Explore Beco do Batman (Batman Alley) – a street full of cool graffiti-style murals.
• Check out some of the vintage shops.
• Visit one of the eclectic cafes.
• Wander the lively avenues – Rebouças Ave and Brigadeiro Faria Lima Ave are great places to start

5. Downtown Augusta: Best Nightlife Area

Baxio Augusta, also known as downtown Augusta, is centered around the street Rua Augusta.

It’s right at the center of the city, not far from Paulista Avenue, and this is where I found the best overall nightlife scene in São Paulo–so if that’s your vibe, I’d stay as close to Rua Augusta as possible!

Rua Augusta is full of a variety of botecas (Brazilian word for local bar/pub), live music venues, glitzy cocktail bars, and energetic nightclubs open all night long.

This area is also very central in São Paulo, so it’s easy to explore the city’s best attractions during the day!

Things to do in Downtown Augusta

• Go out to a boteca – Get a feel for the local nightlife by visiting one of the neighborhood bars.
• Listen to live music – Most of the bars here have live music, but you can also find lots of local music venues in Downtown Augusta.
• Go clubbing – Enjoy the vibrant nightlife later into the night by visiting one of the neighborhood’s classy nightclubs.

6. Vila Mariana: Best Area on a Budget

Located south of the center of São Paulo, Vila Mariana is known by locals as a “college town” and home to some of the city’s best universities.

Fittingly, this is the most budget-friendly area that’s still close to São Paulo’s main tourist attractions.

You will also find several great coffee shops, fun restaurants (with excellent deals), and student dive bars throughout the streets.

It is also home to one of São Paulo’s top performing arts & cultural centers – the Museum of Contemporary Art and Sesc Vila Mariana.

Things to do in Vila Mariana

• Grab food on Joaquim Távora Street – Enjoy a coffee or try some traditional Brazilian food at one of the many restaurants along this iconic street.
• Visit Ibirapuera Park
• Check out Sesc Vila Mariana – a cultural center with a performing arts center.
• Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art
  

7. Higienópolis: Best for Sports Fans and Food Enthusiasts

Higienópolis is an affluent area of São Paulo located just west of the city center. It’s full of green space, chic cafes, and diverse eateries.

The neighborhood’s variety of restaurants makes it perfect for foodies who want to taste a variety of local cuisines.

It is also adjacent to one of the most important sports museums in the city – Museu do Futebol, a museum dedicated to the most popular sport in Brazil. This museum is also a great family-friendly thing to do in São Paulo, with lots of interactive exhibits and kid-friendly activities!

Things to do in Higienópolis

• Visit Museu do Futebol – Learn more about Brazil’s most popular sport.
• Relax in green spaces – Buenos Aires Park and Praça Vilaboim Square are two of the best.
• Visit an art museum – Museu de Arte Brasileira, which is right at the heart of Higienópolis.
• Taste a variety of local foods – Local cafes and restaurants are on every street corner in Higenópolis.

What are the Safest Neighborhoods in São Paulo?

Many people traveling to Brazil ask me, “Is São Paulo safe?” or “Where is the safest place to stay in São Paulo?”

These are fair questions, and I can assure you that the seven areas mentioned above are considered the safest and best places to stay in São Paulo–not to mention that the city itself as a whole is already one of the safest cities in Brazil.

However, if safety is the #1 priority for you, I would narrow it down further by staying in either Itaim Bibi, Jardins, or somewhere along Jardim Paulista.

My Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in São Paulo

Choosing the right area to stay is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning a trip to São Paulo, and it’s a necessary step before you can start putting together a logical itinerary for your trip!

For first-time visitors, Paulista Avenue is an ideal location as it is in the heart of São Paulo and has so many things to do nearby.

For a more luxurious stay, book a hotel in the Jardins or Itaim Bibi.

For nightlife, you can’t beat downtown Augusta. And if you’re after a trendy, budget-friendly area, then Vila Madalena will be your best bet!

You can’t really go wrong staying in any of these neighborhoods, as they’re all very safe districts and central to everything in São Paulo, but hopefully, you already feel better about which area is right for you!

Planning to also visit other areas of Brazil? Check out my guide to the best neighborhoods to stay in Rio and my guide for where to visit in Northeast Brazil.