Find bus tickets from and to Belo Horizonte, MG

Discover Belo Horizonte

Belo Horizonte is Brazil’s sixth-largest city with 2.7 million people – but it is actually the third largest metropolitan area with 6 million inhabitants. Belo Horizonte literally means “beautiful horizon” – and along with its striking skyline of skyscrapers and favelas, Belo Horizonte’s parks and tree-lined streets make it a destination of colourful wonder. The area was first settled in the early 1700s, but the city as we now know it was planned and constructed in the 1890s and features a dynamic mixture of contemporary and classical buildings. It is home to several modern Brazilian architectural icons, most notably the Pampulha Complex. 

Why Visit Belo Horizonte with FlixBus?

Belo Horizonte is a relatively undiscovered paradise for international tourists in the south-eastern region of the country, no shortage of exciting things to do. It is famous for being an architecturally well-organised and developed city, carved out of a former forest and laid down on a grid modelled after Washington DC. It also very openly celebrates modern art in its many forms. 

Most of the city’s buildings were inspired by art-deco and the theme runs through the skyline. Oscar Niemeyer, a Brazilian architect who was key in the development of modern architecture, built many of his first masterpieces here. It’s worth visiting the museums, if only to admire their architecture. The very first building designed and built by Niemeyer in 1940 was the Museu de Arte, which stands high above the lake in Pampulha, along with the church of Saint Francis of Assisi. It was converted in 1957 and is home to paintings, sculptures, ceramics and films.

When to Visit Belo Horizonte

Belo Horizonte sits on an elevated plateau above sea level, so the summers are warm, humid, and cloudy, while winters are mild, dry, and often clear. It’s warm year-round with typical temperatures between 11°C to 31°C and rarely below 6°C or above 33°C. 

The best time to visit Belo Horizonte between April and September when the weather is cooler, but the humidity is lower. Its driest months are July and August, while its coldest months are June and July. Summer in Brazil runs from December to March – which is also the wet season with lots of rain and humidity. 

Catch local celebrations in April or May: Carnival time is especially busy and has a bit of a different local flavour than that of other popular Carnival destinations. 

Top Belo Horizonte Attractions

The Instituto de Arte Contemporânea Inhotim is the world's largest open-air contemporary art museum, and greater Belo Horizonte's standout attraction, including a sprawling, world-class complex of gardens. The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi is a significant Brazilian landmark and is the first listed modern architectural monument in the country, made of four concrete parabolas with mosaics on its outside walls. Go shopping at the expansive Central Market (Mercado Central). Another shopping option in the lively neighbourhood of Savassi, regarded as one of the most prestigious and sought-after areas. Check out the cultural scene in Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, whose schedule is full of exhibitions, theatrical performances, and music concerts. Liberdade Square is one of the most symbolic places in the city, home to many iconic buildings such as the Governor’s Palace, the Rainha da Sucata (Queen of Scrap), and the Public Library. Located in the remarkable old train station building, the Arts and Crafts Museum (MAO) celebrates the work of Brazilian craftspeople.

Getting Around Belo Horizonte

Belo Horizonte is one of very few Brazilian cities with a scheduled long-distance train service. The Metrô train system snakes through the city and is supplemented by an extensive network of buses. 

Taxis are generally considered very safe, and all work with taximeters – but if travelling to the countryside or other states, the fare can be discussed. 

Belo Horizonte is covered by some e-hailing services, including Uber.  

If you plan to get around the city center on foot, a map could come in handy, as the city grid is laid out with both ordinal and diagonal streets, and it is very easy to take a wrong turn.

Food and Drink in Belo Horizonte

When in Brazil, the Pão de queijo (cheese bread) is a must. The A Pão de Queijaria is the cheese bread temple in Belo Horizonte, offering the specialty in traditional recipes, as well innovative recipes using savory and sweet ingredients. 

The state of Minas Gerais is known throughout Brazil for its unique fusion of African, Portuguese and indigenous food, which is known as “minieira” cuisine. Expect lots of beans, corn, fruit and beef as they are the dominant crops in this area, paired with rich spices. If you love coffee, make sure you try some of the locally grown beans! In the Belo Horizonte, minieiran cuisine is served in farmhouse restaurants, used as inspiration in upscale restaurants and is even served in the thousands of bars over all over the city. If you decide to go to a bar, make sure you try the city’s signature drink, Cachaca, a distilled spirit that is the main ingredient in the world-famous Brazilian cocktail, caipirinhas. You can even find caipirinha coffee in some places.

Nightlife and Entertainment in Belo Horizonte

Belo Horizonte is reputed to have more bars per person than any other city in the world. 

The city’s nightlife congregates on the Savassi and Lourdes neighbourhoods. Praça Savassi -- the square where Avenida Getulio Vargas meets Avenida Cristovão Colombo -- has dozens of bars and cafes, although young people and students also gather on the wide sidewalks, drinking, flirting, and playing musical instruments. The outdoor bar scene is the authentic Brazilian experience. Also, at São Lucas neighborhood, on Contorno Avenue, you will find Sociedad Pub, one of the best Pubs in town (Contorno Av., n.3849). 

For night culture outside of bars and venues, try a walk in Pampulha Lagoon. At night, the lights reflecting on the water draw striking lines, creating a unique spectacle.

Plan Your Visit to Belo Horizonte with FlixBus

Belo Horizonte is a city that offers a unique blend of modernity and tradition, making it a must-visit destination in Brazil. And what better way to travel than by FlixBus? For the most affordable bus tickets to Belo Horizonte, book in advance – the earlier you book, the cheaper your ticket will be! Enjoy your trip with our free Wi-Fi and spacious seats. Booking is easy: online, at a sales point, or with our FlixBus App. Payment methods include credit card, Paypal, Google and Apple Pay. Traveling by bus is one of the most environmentally-friendly options available, as you reduce traffic-related emissions and you can help the planet by offsetting your CO₂ emissions when booking your ticket to Belo Horizonte!

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