Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais, Brazil: what to see and how to plan it

At a glance

Why Minas Gerais

UNESCO calls Ouro Preto the focal point of Brazil’s gold rush. The town was the capital of Minas Gerais from 1720 to 1897, and when the gold ran out its baroque center stayed largely as it was. Belo Horizonte, a planned city, later took over as capital.

For a trip from Rio, the usual circuit is Ouro Preto, Mariana and Congonhas in the hills, plus Belo Horizonte and Inhotim near the airport. Other heritage sites in the state are far to the north and need a separate trip.

Ouro Preto

In 1980 Ouro Preto became Brazil’s first cultural property on the World Heritage List. Churches, bridges and fountains follow steep hills, so bring comfortable shoes.

The name you will hear most is Antônio Francisco Lisboa, known as Aleijadinho. UNESCO calls him colonial Brazil’s greatest artist; he designed the church of São Francisco de Assis and carved sculpture for the town’s churches. UNESCO also points out the painted ceilings by Manuel da Costa Ataíde.

Two places to plan around:

• Igreja de São Francisco de Assis. Building started in 1765 and was practically finished by 1771. The city lists it as open Tuesday to Sunday, 8:30 to 17:00, closed Monday.
• Museu da Inconfidência on Praça Tiradentes, in the former town hall and jail built between 1785 and 1855. UNESCO describes Ouro Preto as the symbolic center of the Inconfidência Mineira, the 1789 independence movement. Hours: Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday 10:00 to 18:00, Friday and Saturday 10:00 to 20:00, closed Monday.

Because several sights close on Monday, we usually make Monday the travel day.

Mariana and Congonhas

Mariana is 11 km from Ouro Preto, so the two fit in one outing. It was founded in 1696 and became a city and the seat of a bishopric in 1745. The cathedral (Sé) holds an Arp Schnitger organ made in Germany in 1701; the municipal tourism portal says it is the only one of its kind still existing outside Europe.

Congonhas is 56 km from Ouro Preto. Its Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos has been on the UNESCO list since 1985, and the church was completed in 1772. Aleijadinho’s soapstone prophets stand on the stairway in front, with chapels of polychrome sculpture below.

Belo Horizonte: Pampulha and Mercado Central

The Pampulha Modern Ensemble was designed in 1940 around an artificial lake, with buildings by Oscar Niemeyer, gardens by Roberto Burle Marx and art by Cândido Portinari. UNESCO inscribed it in 2016.

Mercado Central, at Av. Augusto de Lima 744, is the place for cheese, cachaça, sweets and snacks. It opens Monday to Saturday 8:00 to 18:00, Sundays and holidays 8:00 to 13:00. Since 4 December 2024 the traditional ways of making artisan Minas cheese have been on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. More on the state’s dishes in Brazilian food.

Inhotim

Inhotim, in Brumadinho, is a contemporary art museum and botanical garden that opened in 2006. Visitors walk across 140 hectares with more than 900 works by 50 artists from over 18 countries. The park publishes its opening days month by month, so we check them for your dates. Internal transport to the far galleries runs from 10:00 until 16:00 Wednesday to Friday and until 17:00 on weekends and holidays. Pets are not allowed, except guide dogs. From Belo Horizonte you drive on BR-381 or BR-040.

One day is not enough to see everything, so we help you choose galleries in advance.

Getting there from Rio

Most people fly from Rio to Confins, the international airport for Belo Horizonte, then continue by car with a driver.

We do not sell flights, but we build the program around the flight you pick. Check entry requirements on official websites.

When to go

INMET climate normals for Belo Horizonte (1961-1990):

May to September is dry and suits Inhotim, which is mostly outdoors. Ouro Preto sits higher, so evenings feel cool and a jacket helps. For the whole country see best time to visit Brazil.

The US CDC recommends yellow fever vaccination for travelers aged 9 months or older going to Minas Gerais. Ask your doctor.

A 5-day plan from Rio

1. Flight to Confins, transfer to Ouro Preto, evening in town.
2. Ouro Preto: churches, Praça Tiradentes, Inconfidência Museum.
3. Mariana in the morning, Congonhas in the afternoon.
4. Inhotim all day, night in Belo Horizonte.
5. Pampulha and Mercado Central, flight back to Rio.

Minas pairs well with a few days in Rio before or after, or with São Paulo. Longer routes are in our 2-week Brazil itinerary.

What to tell us in your request

• Travel dates and whether you already have flights
• Number of travelers and ages of children
• Places you want: Ouro Preto, Mariana, Congonhas, Inhotim, Belo Horizonte
• Type of stay: historic inn, city hotel or a mix
• Guide language
• Walking limits or anything else we should know

How we help

We plan the Minas leg of your trip: airport pickup at Confins, a private driver between Ouro Preto, Belo Horizonte and Inhotim, stays and a guide who speaks your language in Ouro Preto and at Inhotim. We stay your single contact for the whole trip. Our fee is already included in the price. See how a private driver works with us, or read how we work.