48 hours in Brasilia – Weekend Edition
Brasilia in Less than 48 Words
Located almost at the very heart of Brazil, Brasilia was created in 1956 to replace Rio de Janeiro as the country’s capital. A mere 50 years later, the city stands as one of the wealthiest, most lively, and most beautiful cities in the continent.
Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida (Photo by Robert Mooney)
First 24 Hours
You can fly to the beautiful city of Brasilia via the Brasília International Airport – President Juscelino Kubitschek Airport, which is located around 11 kilometers from the city center. From there, the best way to reach the heart of the city and your hotel is hiring a taxi at the airport terminal. The journey will cost you upwards of BRS35. You can also try to catch a regular city bus, which will drop you off at Brasilia’s main bus station. However, you would still have to walk or hire a taxi to your hotel.
Brasilia is a well-planned city, and is close to being an urban utopia. As such, navigating it is fairly easy, with its simple street layout and efficient public transport. You can collect valuable travel information from the tourist information office located inside the Brasilia International Airport (061/3033-9488, website), which is open daily from 7:30 am to 10:30 pm.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Brasilia’s hotels
You can arrange for a nice place to stay in during your 48 hour visit in Brasilia at one of its excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Brasilia Alvorada Park (SHTN Trecho 01, Lote 1B Bloco C, Brasilia 70800-200, Brazil, 61 3424-7000). It is a popular hotel with modern design, large rooms, all modern amenities, and balconies with nice views of a lake.
Brasilia TV Tower (Photo from Philopp)
You can also try out the Hotel Tryp Brasil 21 (SHS Quadra 6, Conj. A – Bl.F – Asa Sul, Brasilia, 70316-000, Brazil, 61 3218-4700, es.solmelia.com), which has a nice location near the Brasilia executive center, plus excellent services, delicious breakfast, and a restaurant. A nice alternative is Melia Brasil 21 (SHS Quadra 6, Conj. A – Bl.D, Asa Sul, Brasilia, 61 3218-4700, website). It is a five-star hotel that offers modern amenities, comfortable rooms, and excellent service at reasonable prices.
BRASILIA TV TOWER: Let’s take a view
Perhaps one of the most popular landmarks in the city of Brasilia is the Brasilia TV Tower (Eixo Monumental, Brasilia, 061/3321-7944). Built in 1967, it is a communications tower that is among the city’s highest points as well. It originally stood 218 meters tall, until six meters was added in 1987 by the Bandeirantes TV channel.
Of course, the highlight of a visit to the place is climbing up to its observation platform, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the cityscape, especially the buildings lining the Eixo Monumental Boulevard. You can also find a small gem museum inside. The tower is open during Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm, and on Mondays from 2 pm to 6 pm. Admission is free.
PALACIO DO ITAMARATY: Admire architecture
One of the best places in Brasilia to admire architecture is the Palacio do Itamaraty (Esplanada dos Ministerios, 061/3411-8051), which is generally considered as an epitome of the Modernist style in Brazil. It was designed by the famous Oscar Niemeyer, Burle Marx, and Milton Ramos, and today serves as the ceremonial reception hall of the country’s Department of Foreign Affairs.
Palacio do Itamaraty (Photo by A C Moraes)
Inside, you’ll find landscaped open spaces, as well as rich antique décor such as 18th to 19th century paintings, Persian carpets, jacaranda wood furniture, and several other attractions. The site is available for guided tours during weekdays from 2 pm to 4:30 pm, and on weekends from 10 am to 3:30 pm. Admission is free.
CONGRESSO NACIONAL: Visit a government building
Another notable attraction in Brasilia is the Congresso Nacional (Esplanada dos Ministerios, 061/3216-1771), which is among the city’s best-known landmarks. The complex is basically made up of two towers flanked by two so-called “bowls”, and is epitome centre of abstract architecture in the city. After admiring its unique designs, you can find a small museum inside. The site is open during Mondays to Fridays from 9 am to 5 pm, and admission is free.
Congresso Nacional (Photo by Paul & Aline Burland)
ESPACO LUIS COSTA: Pay your respects to the Brasilia planner
You can pay your respects to the person most responsible for Brasilia’s shape and design, Lucio Costa, at the Espaço Lucio Costa (Praça des Tres Poderes, Brasilia, 061/3325-6163). A Brazilian urban planner, Lucio Costa was among the first modernist architects in the country. He is credited with coming up with the city’s unique irregular cross shape, thus earning Brasilia its UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.
Espaço Lucio Costa (Photo from Google images)
The site is basically a space located underneath a square, and is a museum where you can find a full-scale model of the city, Costa’s city plan, and photos of the city construction, as well as some information about the architect’s life. It is open during Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm, and admission is free.
DINNER TIME: Discover Brasilia’s restaurants
You are guaranteed a delicious dinner at the restaurants available all over the city. One of the best in the city is La Chaumiere (408 Sul, bloco A – loja 13 – Asa Sul, Brasilia, (61) 3242-7599, website). It offers an authentic French cuisine, and is known for its steaks, fillet mignon, wine, and excellent service. A nice alternative is the Universal Diner (Cls 210 Bl B s/n lj, 30 Brasília – DF, 61 3443-2089), which serves an eclectic cuisine in a place filled with kitschy décor.
You can also try out ZUU a.Z.d.Z (SCLS Quadra 210, Bloco A, Loja 38, Setor Comércio Local Sul, Brasilia, (061) 3244 1039). It offers a contemporary cuisine that is served in different creative ways by an excellent staff. Another is the Restaurante Marietta (Praca de Alimentacao, Setor Hoteleiro Norte, Brasilia, (061) 3327 3892, website), one of the oldest restaurants in the city. Must-tries there are the pizza, risotto, and crepe.
Next 24 Hours
You can discover Brasilia’s other tourist attractions during your next 24 hours in the city. One of them is of course the Palacio do Planalto (4′ andar, Brasilia 70150-900, 55 61 411 1201). Its name literally means “Palace of the Highlands,” and it currently serves as the seat of the Brazilian government. The palace was designed by the famed Oscar Niemeyer, and is noted for its impressive modern architecture. It covers an area of 36,000 square meters, and can be toured during Sundays from 9:30 am to 1 pm.
MEMORIAL JK: Visit a monument
One of the most popular attractions in Brasilia is the Memorial JK (Eixo Monumental Oeste, 061/3225-9451). It is a mausoleum built by Oscar Niemeyer in 1980 to serve as the final resting place of the city’s beloved founder, the late Brazilian president Juscelino Kubitschek. The tomb was fashioned out of granite, and is placed under skylight with the epitaph “O Fundador.” It also contains the late president’s medals, ribbons, and other personal items. There you can even find photographs of Brasilia under construction, as well as alternative city designs. The site is open during Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm, and admission will cost you BRL4.
Memorial JK (Photo by Cavalcanti)
CATEDRAL METROPOLITANA: Let’s go to church
You can go to church at the Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida (Esplanada dos Ministerio, 061/3224-4073), which is among the city’s most recognizable landmarks. The cathedral is pretty much non-descript when seen from the outside, but once you step inside you’ll be spell bound by the full measure of its grandeur. You’ll find walls and floors fashioned out of white marble, glass ceilings, sculptures of Biblical figures, and an impressive image of Christ on the cross. The site is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm.
MEMORIAL DOS POVOS INDIGENAS: Have a historical experience
You can enjoy a historical experience by visiting the Memorial dos Povos Indigenas (Praça do Buriti, Eixo Monumental Oest, 061/3226-5206), a museum dedicated to Brazil’s indigenous tribes, most especially the Bororó Indian people. It was designed by the famed architect Oscar Niemeyer, and inside you can find various artifacts such as pottery, baskets, headdresses, weapons, paddles, nets, hammocks, and clothing. It also features various exhibits that chronicle the history, art, and lifestyle of the Brazilian Indians. The site is open during Tuesdays to Fridays from 9 am to 5 pm, and from Saturdays to Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is free.
Memorial dos Povos Indigenas (Photo by JM Tárrio)
BRASILIA NATIONAL PARK: Unwind in a park
You can relax and unwind at the Brasilia National Park (EPIA BR-40, Sector Militar Urbano Brasilia, +55 (61) 345-3622), which is one of the largest areas of natural vegetation within an urban domain in the world. It covers an area of roughly 30,000 hectares, with a landscape made up mostly of savanna grasslands. Inside, you’ll find two trails, the Capivara and Cristal Água Trails, which you can hike to see various flora and fauna, as well as springs and natural pools. The site is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm.
NIGHTLIFE: Enjoy Brasilia’s vibrant nightlife
At night you may proceed to Brasilia’s bars and clubs to have a taste of the city’s exciting nightlife. One of the most popular is Armazém do Brás (CLN 107, Bl. B, loja 49, 061/3340-7317). It is a São Paulo-style Italian cantina, as is known for its delicious buffet and nibbles as much as for its wine and imported beer. You can also try out Bar Brasilia (506 S, Bl. A, loja 15, 061/3443-4323), which is a classic Rio botequim with antique wooden décor, cold beer, savory snacks, and lively crowds.
A nice alternative is Frei Caneca Draft (Brasilia Shopping, SCN, 061/3327-9467). It is a popular dance club and bar that is known as a hangout for the 20 to 40 year old crowd. It plays DJ music ranging from forro to popular Brazilian music, and is well worth an exploration.
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