3 Days in Brasília Itinerary: Monumental Axis, Superquadras, Lake & Cerrado

Three full days in Brasília allow you to experience Oscar Niemeyer's civic masterpieces inside and out, walk through Lúcio Costa's garden neighbourhoods as locals live in them, and balance urban design with Lake Paranoá sunsets and crystal-clear Cerrado spring pools.

Day 1: The Eastern Monumental Axis, Palaces, and Ponte JK Sunset

• 09:00: Cathedral of Brasília and Museu Nacional: Begin at the Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida when morning light streams through Marianne Peretti's stained glass, then walk next door to the white dome of the Museu Nacional da República.
• 10:30: Guided Tours of Palácio do Itamaraty and Congresso Nacional: Cross the grass esplanade to tour the Palácio do Itamaraty (admiring Burle Marx's water garden and the pillarless spiral staircase) and the plenary chambers of the National Congress.
• 14:30: Praça dos Três Poderes: Explore the triangular civic plaza at the eastern prow of the axis: photograph the curved columns of Palácio do Planalto, the Supreme Federal Court, the underground scale model at Espaço Lúcio Costa, and the flame of the Panteão da Pátria.
• 17:00: Sunset at Pontão do Lago Sul and Ponte JK: Take an Uber to the lakeside promenade of Pontão do Lago Sul for dinner overlooking the three steel arches of the Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge.

Day 2: Santuário Dom Bosco, Superquadra 308 Sul, Burle Marx Gardens & Memorial JK

• 09:00: Santuário Dom Bosco (702 Sul): Step inside Santuário Dom Bosco to experience its 2,200 square metres of glowing blue stained glass.
• 10:30: Walk Through Superquadra 308 Sul & Igrejinha de Fátima: Stroll south to Superquadra Modelo 308 Sul to see the 1958 Igrejinha Nossa Senhora de Fátima, Burle Marx's koi pond, and Athos Bulcão's tiled school pavilions, followed by a classic lunch on CLS 108 or 109 Sul.
• 14:30: Praça dos Cristais and Memorial JK: Head to the western end of the axis to walk through Roberto Burle Marx's Praça dos Cristais and tour the Memorial JK and Indigenous Peoples Museum.
• 17:15: Panoramic Sunset from the Brasília TV Tower: Ride the lift 75 metres up the Torre de TV as the setting sun ignites the entire Monumental Axis.

Day 3 Morning: Palácio da Alvorada, Ermida Dom Bosco & CCBB

Start early along the eastern peninsula to admire the lakeside columns of Palácio da Alvorada and the quiet shoreline of Ermida Dom Bosco before crossing to the exhibition galleries at CCBB.

Day 3 Afternoon: Brasília National Park & Água Mineral Springs

• 09:00: Swim & Hike at Parque Nacional de Brasília (Água Mineral): Spend the morning at Brasília National Park walking the Capivara savanna trail and swimming in the natural spring-water pools.
• 14:00: Palácio da Alvorada, CCBB Brasília, and Ermida Dom Bosco: Visit the lakeside facade of Palácio da Alvorada, tour an afternoon exhibition at CCBB Brasília, and finish at the quiet lakeside headland of Ermida Dom Bosco.