Brasília
Brazil's UNESCO-listed modernist capital on the 1,172-metre central plateau, conceived by Lúcio Costa, Oscar Niemeyer, Roberto Burle Marx, and Athos Bulcão.
Quick decisions
- How many days? 2 to 3 full days to explore the Monumental Axis, Superquadra 308 Sul, Santuário Dom Bosco, Lago Paranoá, and the mineral pools of Brasília National Park; 4 to 6 days to add colonial Pirenópolis or Chapada dos Veadeiros.
- Where should I stay? Setor Hoteleiro Sul or Norte (SHS/SHN) for central access to the Monumental Axis; along the shore of Lago Paranoá (SHTN) for resort pools and Niemeyer's 1958 Brasília Palace Hotel; or Asa Sul for leafy residential charm.
- Do I need a car? Brasília was designed for avenues rather than continuous sidewalks, so Uber and 99 are the easiest way to hop between monuments; rent a car only if you plan road trips to Pirenópolis or Chapada dos Veadeiros.
- Best for: Twentieth-century modernist architecture, Roberto Burle Marx tropical gardens, Athos Bulcão ceramic murals, lakeside sunsets over Lago Paranoá, and Cerrado savanna waterfalls.
- Before you go: Book guided interior tours of the Itamaraty Palace and National Congress ahead, bring lip balm and a water bottle during the dry winter months (June to September), and check the alphanumeric sector codes before hailing a ride.
- Getting around: Use Uber or 99 between monuments along the Eixo Monumental, and Metrô-DF between the central Rodoviária and southern Asa Sul stations.
- Continue your trip: Drive two hours west to the 1727 colonial stone town of Pirenópolis or three hours north to the canyons and waterfalls of Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park.
Overview
Inaugurated on 21 April 1960 after just forty-one months of construction across the red earth of the Brazilian Central Plateau (Planalto Central), Brasília is the boldest urban experiment of the twentieth century. Commissioned by President Juscelino Kubitschek to shift Brazil's centre of gravity inland from Rio de Janeiro, the new federal capital brought together four visionary masters of Brazilian modernism: urban planner Lúcio Costa (who laid out the Plano Piloto in the silhouette of a swept-wing aircraft or bird), architect Oscar Niemeyer (who sculpted its white reinforced-concrete palaces and cathedrals so they appear to float on water mirrors), landscape designer Roberto Burle Marx, and tile muralist Athos Bulcão.
Inscribed in 1987 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (the first twentieth-century city on earth to receive the honour) and named a UNESCO Creative City of Design in 2017, Brasília sits at 1,172 metres above sea level, wrapped on three sides by the 48-square-kilometre expanse of Lago Paranoá and surrounded by the waterfalls and plateaus of the native Cerrado savanna.
Getting there
Brasília Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport (BSB) is Brazil's central aviation hub, located just 11 kilometres south of the Plano Piloto. Uber, taxis, and executive bus Line 113 reach the central hotel sectors or Asa Sul in 15 to 20 minutes.
Where to stay
Choose between the central towers of the Setor Hoteleiro Sul and Norte (SHS/SHN) right beside the TV Tower, the tranquil lakeside lawns of the Setor de Hotéis e Turismo Norte (SHTN) on Lago Paranoá, or boutique stays in Asa Sul and Lago Sul.
Things to do
Walk down the subterranean ramp into Oscar Niemeyer's Catedral Metropolitana, tour the twin bowls of the National Congress and Itamaraty Palace, step into the cobalt-blue stained-glass cube of Santuário Dom Bosco, stroll the pilotis gardens of Superquadra 308 Sul, and watch sunset over Ponte JK and Lago Paranoá.
Food and drink
Built by migrants (candangos) from every state of Brazil, Brasília's dining scene spans traditional 1960s Asa Sul bistros, Central-West Cerrado delicacies such as galinhada com pequi and roasted castanha de baru, crispy market pastéis with sugarcane juice, and lakeside Amazonian fish restaurants.
Culture
Every Sunday and public holiday from 06:00 to 17:00, the 15-kilometre six-lane highway of the Eixão do Lazer closes completely to cars, transforming the spine of the city into a giant open-air park for cyclists, runners, musicians, and families.
Weather by month
Brasília is warmest in September, with average highs around 29°C, and coldest in July, when nights drop to about 14°C. December is the wettest month, with rain on about 19 days. For mild weather with fewer rainy days, aim for April, May, June and July.
| Month | Low | Range | High | Rain | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18°C | 27°C | 119 mm | 17 d | |
| Feb | 18°C | 27°C | 105 mm | 15 d | |
| Mar | 18°C | 27°C | 112 mm | 16 d | |
| Apr | 18°C | 27°C | 63 mm | 9 d | |
| May | 16°C | 26°C | 21 mm | 3 d | |
| Jun | 14°C | 25°C | 7 mm | 1 d | |
| Jul | 14°C | 26°C | 0 mm | 0 d | |
| Aug | 15°C | 27°C | 7 mm | 1 d | |
| Sep | 17°C | 29°C | 28 mm | 4 d | |
| Oct | 18°C | 29°C | 77 mm | 11 d | |
| Nov | 18°C | 27°C | 119 mm | 17 d | |
| Dec | 18°C | 27°C | 133 mm | 19 d |
Averages of daily values from 2015 to 2024. Rainy days are days with at least 1 mm of rain. Source: Open-Meteo · Compare destinations by month.
Brasília on the map
Every place we cover in Brasília. Tap a category or pin to explore.
In-depth Brasília guides
Browse the guides grouped by topic: sights, neighbourhoods, food, transport, day trips and trip planning.
Sights, Landmarks & Parks
Key monuments, viewpoints, museums and nature trails.
- 12 Best Things to Do in Brasília: Niemeyer Masterpieces, Blue Glass & Lake ParanoáFrom Oscar Niemeyer's hyperboloid Cathedral and the blue stained glass of Santuário Dom Bosco to Superquadra 308 Sul, Ponte JK, and Cerrado mineral pools.
- Best Time to Visit Brasília: Blue-Sky Dry Season, Ipê Blossoms & ClimateMonth-by-month weather guide to Brasília using official 1991-2020 INMET normals: compare the cloudless May-September dry season, Ipê tree blossoms, and summer rains.
- 3 Days in Brasília Itinerary: Monumental Axis, Superquadras, Lake & CerradoA complete 3-day Brasília itinerary grouping the eastern Monumental Axis on Day 1, Santuário Dom Bosco, Superquadra 308 Sul and JK Memorial on Day 2, and Lake Paranoá and National Park on Day 3.
- Monumental Axis Guide: Cathedral of Brasília, Museu Nacional & Praça dos Três PoderesWalk the eastern Monumental Axis of Brasília from Oscar Niemeyer's hyperboloid Cathedral and the white dome of Museu Nacional to Praça dos Três Poderes.
- National Congress, Palácio do Itamaraty & Palácio da Alvorada GuideHow to visit Oscar Niemeyer's three civic palaces in Brasília: the twin domes of the National Congress, the water gardens of Palácio do Itamaraty, and lakeside Palácio da Alvorada.
- Memorial JK, Brasília TV Tower & Burle Marx's Praça dos Cristais GuideExplore the western half of Brasília's Monumental Axis: visit Oscar Niemeyer's Memorial JK, ride up the 230-metre TV Tower, and stroll Roberto Burle Marx's Praça dos Cristais.
- Lake Paranoá, Pontão do Lago Sul & Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge GuideExplore Brasília's 48-square-kilometre artificial lake: cross the award-winning 2002 Ponte JK, walk the lakeside promenade of Pontão do Lago Sul, and visit Ermida Dom Bosco.
- Santuário Dom Bosco, CCBB Brasília & Teatro Nacional GuideStep inside the glowing blue stained-glass cube of Santuário Dom Bosco, explore exhibitions at Oscar Niemeyer's CCBB Brasília, and see Athos Bulcão's relief on Teatro Nacional.
- Brasília National Park (Água Mineral), Botanical Garden & Parque da Cidade GuideEscape into Brasília's green spaces: swim in the natural spring pools of Parque Nacional de Brasília (Água Mineral), walk the Cerrado trails of the Botanical Garden, and cycle Parque da Cidade.
Neighbourhoods & Where to Stay
Districts, historic quarters and the best bases for your stay.
- Brasília: How to Navigate Lúcio Costa's Modernist CapitalUnderstand how Brasília works before you go: decode Lúcio Costa's airplane-shaped Plano Piloto, alphanumeric street addresses, transport, and climate.
- Where to Stay in Brasília: Hotel Sectors (SHS/SHN), Lake Paranoá & Asa SulCompare the best areas to stay in Brasília: the central Setor Hoteleiro Sul and Norte, the lakeside resorts of Lago Paranoá (including Niemeyer's Brasília Palace), or Asa Sul.
- Superquadra 308 Sul, Igrejinha de Fátima & Living Plano Piloto GuideWalk through Brasília's model residential neighbourhood of Superquadra 308 Sul to see apartment blocks on pilotis, Roberto Burle Marx's koi pond, and the 1958 Igrejinha de Fátima.
Food & Drink
Local dishes, markets, cafés and dining districts.
Getting Around & Arrival
Airport transfers, public transit, passes and driving rules.
Day Trips & Excursions
Easy half-day and full-day trips from the city.
Need your embassy or consulate in Brazil? See embassies and consulates in Brazil.
Reviews
Log in to write a review.
No reviews yet.
