Belo Horizonte

Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais, is a city that lies between tradition and modernity offering residents and visitors the complete package. Its lush greenery and pleasant climate make for the perfect setting for those intent on discovering the charms of this metropolis. It is the most amazing capital of the country.

In July 2016, Belo Horizonte entered the noble catalog of Cultural Heritage of Humanity. A title awarded by Unesco to the Modern Ensemble of Pampulha, a masterpiece that carries the signature of important names in architecture and the arts, such as Oscar Niemeyer, Roberto Burle Marx and Cândido Portinari, and the main postcard of the city of Belo Horizonte.

Belo Horizonte also hosts the most diverse internationally recognized cultural and artistic festivals, such as the Festival Internacional de Teatro (Theater Festival), Virada Cultural (24h Cultural Festival) and Fórum Internacional de Dança (Dance Forum). Another highlight is its craftwork. The richness and originality of these works can be seen in the various fairs located around the city.

In 2017 Belo Horizonte provided to the three million revelers the largest Carnival in its history, joining the list of the country's main carnival destinations. Tourists from all over Brazil, and the world, came to Belo Horizonte to experience a democratic, plural and decentralized Carnival.

In addition the city also lived the largest edition of the Arraial of Belo Horizonte, a city that was contemplated by the Announcement of Festejos Juninos launched by the Ministry of Tourism (MTur) and Embratur. Thereby, the capital of Minas Gerais is among the five largest tourist destinations of the period, alongside the cities of Bragança (PA), Campina Grande (PB), Corumbá (MS) and São Luís (MA).

The proximity of Ouro Preto and Congonhas, cultural heritage sites, the landscape of Serra do Curral and the hospitality of Belo Horizonte`s residents make this charming capital of Minas Gerais the ideal place to visit and live.

Belo Horizonte has a great location within Brazil. It is close to the large urban centres and provides easy access to all regions of the country. BH Airport - International Airport is considered one of the main hubs of the Brazilian air network.

• Capital of Minas Gerais State – a historical, cultural and political hub

• Foundation: 12.12.1897

• Population: 2.7 million

• Area: 330.95km²

• Several shopping malls

•Cradle of architecture designed by Oscar Niemeyer and reference in modernist architecture and in the Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Eclectic, Neoclassical, and Neo-baroque styles.

• Known as the Garden City due to the large number of parks, squares and gardens.

SURROUNDING AREA

The capital is close to important tourist destinations such as the Rota das Grutas de Lund, which is composed of the Museu de Ciências Naturais da PUC (Pontifical University Natural Sciences Museum), the Sumidouro State Park, and the Rei do Mato, Maquiné and Lapinha caves. The historical cities of Mariana, Ouro Preto and Congonhas are home to treasures and riches of baroque production dating back to the Brazilian colonial period.

In the neighboring municipality of Brumadinho, a good option is to visit the Centro de Arte Contemporânea (Contemporary Art Center) and Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden) in Inhotim, with 97 hectares of art galleries and gardens. The Serra do Cipó National Park is a biosphere reserve and represents one of the most beautiful and important destinations for adventure tourism, due to its exuberant nature.

DISTANCES FROM BELO HORIZONTE

Congonhas - 78 km

Mariana - 112 km

Ouro Preto - 96 km

Centro de Arte Contemporânea (Contemorary Art Center) and Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden) Inhotim - 60 km

Parque Nacional da Serra do Cipó (National Park) - 100 km

Parque Estadual do Sumidouro (State Park) - 50 Km

Gruta da Lapinha (Cave) - 50 Km

Gruta de Maquiné (Cave) - 127 km

Gruta Rei do Mato (Cave) - 62 km