Most Minas Gerais hotels offer free cancellation. Consider booking refundable hotels rather than non-refundable ones. Just look for the ‘free cancellation’ message during your hotel search. Prices can vary, but right now we believe that flexibility matters.
For more information about the impact of COVID-19 on your Minas Gerais trip, please visit our Coronavirus Information page (opens in new window).
Travelers like the waterfalls in Visconde de Maua, and Vale do Rio Preto is a top attraction you might want to visit.
4/5Very Good!(15 area reviews)
You'll enjoy the bars and museums in Belo Horizonte Centro. You might want to make time for a stop at September Seven Square or Afonso Pena Avenue.
4.5/5Wonderful!(19 area reviews)
Savassi is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Afonso Pena Avenue and Bank of Brazil Cultural Center.
4.5/5Wonderful!(8 area reviews)
Unique features of Lourdes include the bars and shopping. Make a stop by Afonso Pena Avenue or Inimá de Paula Museum while you're exploring the area.
4/5Very Good!(4 area reviews)
You'll enjoy the restaurants and museums in Funcionarios. You might want to make time for a stop at Afonso Pena Avenue or Museum of Toys.
Reviewed on Jan 7, 2021
Reviewed on Sep 4, 2020
Reviewed on Mar 25, 2021
Home to more heritage sites than any other state in Brazil, this picturesque mountainous region in southeastern Brazil is packed with historical and architectural treasures. Featuring laid-back cities and lush national parks, Minas Gerais is a relatively undiscovered highlight of southeastern Brazil. Its name translates to “general mines” and refers to the region’s abundance of precious metal and mineral reserves around which “gold towns” and thermal spas sprang up. Embrace the relaxed atmosphere in this easygoing state, which is said to be populated by some of the friendliest locals in Brazil.
Wander around the capital city, Belo Horizonte. At its Mercado Central, sample local delicacies such as feijão tropeiro (Brazilian beans with sausage), pork rinds and Canastra, an artisanal cheese produced in the region’s mountain towns. Visit the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, an exhibition and theater center housed within a neoclassical mansion. Marvel at the modern architecture of the Conjunto Arquitetônico da Pampulha, an art museum constructed with glass, concrete panels and mosaics and originally designed by Oscar Niemeyer in the 1940s.
For outdoor action, hike through the Serra da Canastra National Park. This UNESCO-listed site features dramatic cliffs, waterfalls and several protected animal species.
Walk the cobblestones of the beautifully preserved town of Diamantina. While here visit Casa da Glória, the original residence of the town’s diamond supervisors. Relax in the spas of Caxambu, which are dotted with oriental-style pavilions sheltering thermal springs. View the colored gemstones of Ouro Preto, a colonial town that’s one of only two places in the world to produce the imperial topaz gem.
Ouro Preto also has some of Minas Gerais’ many ornately decorated churches, such as the Basilica Nossa Senhora do Pilar, which is covered with gold and silver leaf inside. The town’s Church of Saint Francis of Assisi is considered to be one of the best works of sculptor and architect Antônio Francisco Lisboa.
Tancredo Neves International Airport and Ramada Lagoa Santa International Airport, both located in Belo Horizonte, service the Minas Gerais region. Ride buses to travel between towns and cities; buses are comfortable, inexpensive and fairly frequent. Rent a car to explore some of the more remote national parks.
Discover stunning architecture and lush parks in the under-appreciated region of Minas Gerais.
