Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais, is the sixth most populous municipality in Brazil. Its state is also a heavyweight, being the fourth-largest and second-most populous in Brazil, known for its culinary prowess and genuinely friendly locals. The city itself ranks highly for livability thanks to its safety, food culture, bar scene, pleasant weather, and infrastructure. Compared to other large metropolitan areas like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the cost of rent and everyday expenses is generally lower.
For most travelers, BH (the nickname for Belo Horizonte) is a common starting point for exploring Minas Gerais, or simply a convenient gateway to nearby destinations. During my time in the city, I took a bus to Ouro Preto, a fascinating historic town and one of the best-known destinations in Minas Gerais. Its well-preserved colonial architecture and deep connection to Brazil’s history make it a particularly interesting place to explore. I really enjoyed my time there and would definitely recommend working it into a Minas Gerais itinerary if you have the opportunity.
I spent a few days in Belo Horizonte and decided to put together a list of five things that might interest you.
Casa Fiat de Cultura
Fiat, the famed car manufacturer whose origins date back to Italy, began assembling vehicles in Brazil, specifically in Minas Gerais, in the 1970s. The bulk of the production, in fact, took place in Betim, a suburb of BH. To this day, the factory in Betim remains a major powerhouse, pumping out hundreds of thousands of vehicles. Today, the Stellantis Center in BH serves as an elite engineering hub for Fiat, where plenty of creativity and innovation take place.
Casa Fiat de Cultura provides a chronological overview of Fiat’s growth and innovation throughout the years, including a historical account of its presence in Minas Gerais and vice versa. It’s a unique experience and definitely worth a visit!
Mercado Central de Belo Horizonte
Mercado Central de Belo Horizonte is a massive indoor market covering approximately 24,000–25,000 square meters, where you can peruse hundreds of shops, sample delicious local cuisine and a myriad of cheeses, and snatch up some artisanal souvenirs before you leave. It’s truly the perfect example of a one-stop shop. Coming here gives you the chance to soak up many aspects of Minas Gerais culture all in one place.
If you have ONE DAY in BH, make this a priority.
Inhotim
Inhotim is one of the world’s largest open-air art centers, which also serves as a botanical garden. It’s located 60 km southwest of Belo Horizonte, right next to a town named Brumadinho.
My visit happened on a FREE DAY, which is every Wednesday and also the last Sunday of every month. Not surprisingly, it was very crowded because of this, especially at the circuit near the museum entrance, which requires the least amount of walking to access. Inhotim has three main circuits, which are basically trails showcasing clusters of installations. It spans about five miles of trails, so certain clusters and pavilions may be 5–25 minutes apart from each other on foot.
Most people just go for one day. Assuming you’ll do the same, my advice is this: Arrive around opening time and skip the main attractions closest to the entrance area, then circle back to them later in the afternoon. BEFORE you go to Inhotim, have a very good idea of which exhibits and artists you’d like to see, and find out where they are located using Inhotim’s official map here.
Considering the sheer size of Inhotim, it is possible to spend two days there to see everything. If you really feel like you’d like to spend a second day, you can stay overnight in Brumadinho.
TWO SCENARIOS FOR VISITING INHOTIM
Scenario 1
Go for one day, free day or not—you decide. In addition to the R$150 cost of entry, upon arrival you can pay R$45 for access to a shared electric cart service within the museum grounds. It has five predetermined routes that provide faster access to exhibits that may be far away and take too much time to reach on foot. Reminder: the entrance fee is R$150 per adult. If you don’t mind walking and you really know what you want to see and where everything is located, go on a free day and skip buying a shuttle ticket.
Scenario 2
Go for two days, with one of the days being a free day. Entrance costs R$150 per adult. See everything you want strategically, and more, without rushing. You only pay the entrance fee for one day. Do a lot of walking. Take into account that you’ll spend a night in Brumadinho, which is about a 23–35 minute walk or a short taxi ride to and from Inhotim.
HOW TO GET TO INHOTIM
The most common way to get to and from Inhotim is by an executive bus operated by Viação Saritur / Cia Coordenadas from the Belo Horizonte Bus Station. Tickets cost R$40–R$60 each way. Departure is around 8:00 AM or 8:15 AM, and return buses depart around 4:30 PM on weekdays or 5:30 PM on weekends. The other bus company is Belvitur, for which you have to purchase tickets via BeTicket at least a couple of days in advance.
If you really want to save money, you can take a local bus between Belo Horizonte and Inhotim, which costs around R$13–R$20 each way, but the bus only goes between BH and Brumadinho. When you arrive in Brumadinho, you’ll have to walk or get a rideshare or taxi to Inhotim from there. Same kind of scenario for your trip back to BH.
Mirante do Mangabeiras
Open from 8 AM to 9 PM, this popular viewpoint in the city is located in Mangabeiras, a very exclusive and affluent residential area with an “old money” feel. The neighborhood itself is very pretty, situated in a high-altitude area of the city next to the Serra do Curral mountain range. Mirante do Mangabeiras gives you one of the best panoramic views of Belo Horizonte! Definitely worth a visit.
Ride a bike around Lagoa da Pumpulha
Lagoa da Pampulha is a man-made lake that was built in the 1940s. It’s a vibrant place to go for a stroll, grab a fresh coconut juice, or go for a bike ride. There are bike lanes all around the lake, accompanied by pleasant scenery. If you’re feeling adventurous, visit the nearby Parque Guanabara, a family-friendly amusement park with classic rides, games, attractions, and a large Ferris wheel.
Conclusion
Belo Horizonte is a great starting point for any journey through Minas Gerais. It isn’t very popular among foreign travelers, which gives it an authentic feel. During my couple of days here, I enjoyed the overall vibe and sense of safety. I even went to a cinema and just did normal people stuff. It genuinely seems like a nice place to live, and that goes a long way.
