Host city of the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change, Belém is the gateway to incredible experiences in the Brazilian Amazon
The vibrant capital of Pará is a destination that enchants the senses and breathes history. On the shores of Baía de Guajará, Belém combines the exuberance of the Amazon Rainforest with a fascinating cultural heritage, the result of the encounter between indigenous peoples, Africans and Europeans. The colonial architecture, traditional markets and rich cuisine make the city an irresistible invitation for those who want to delve into Brazil’s roots and discover a world where nature and culture are uniquely intertwined.
“Brazil has taken a global leadership role in key agendas. The country hosted the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 2024 and will host the COP 30 in Belém, in the heart of the Amazon, in 2025. These events place Brazil at the center of discussions on today’s most pressing challenges, especially sustainable development. Tourism is a key sector contributing to this dialogue. With its lush biodiversity, breathtaking landscapes and rich culture, Brazil is ready for this,” said Marcelo Freixo, President of the Brazilian Tourist Board/Embratur/Visit Brasil.
Whether exploring the unique gastronomy, which mixes exotic flavours such as tucupi and açaí, or taking part in exciting events such as the Círio de Nazaré, Belém is a city that offers authentic and unforgettable experiences. Discover six unmissable attractions to explore the best of this enchanting city and get ready to fall in love with the capital of Pará!
Mercado Ver-o-Peso
One of the most important stops on your visit to Belém is the famous Mercado Ver-o-Peso. Considered Cultural Heritage of Brazil by the Institute of Artistic and Historical Cultural Heritage (Iphan), it is the largest open-air market in Latin America and it enchants tourists and residents of the capital of Pará with the countless possibilities it offers. The market is a true immersion in Pará culture where you can find the famous Marajoara handicrafts, medicinal bath products, the typical jambu cachaça, handmade liqueurs, regional fruits, spices, fresh ingredients, typical food, and much more.
Wandering through the aisles of the market is like smelling and tasting the authentic flavours of the Pará Amazon. And as Belém has been awarded the title of Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO, immersing yourself in the city’s cuisine is sure to be an amazing experience. Take a seat in the popular restaurants of Ver-o-Peso to taste the famous duck in tucupi, fried fish with açaí from Pará, jambu and maniçoba and, of course, the typical fruits of the region.
Complexo Feliz Lusitânia
Located in the oldest part of Belém, the Complexo Feliz Lusitânia is home to centuries-old buildings from the colonial era and an incredible view of Baía de Guajará. The tour of the architectural complex reveals how the capital of Pará took its first steps towards becoming the grandiose Belém.
Start your visit at the Forte do Presépio and enjoy the view from the top of the walls to observe the busy activity of Mercado Ver-o-Peso and the historic center. Walk through the gardens to Casa das Onze Janelas, a colonial house that once served as a plantation owner’s residence, a Royal Military Hospital and a Museum of Contemporary Art. Outside, the house has a beautiful garden with sculptures.
Pass through Praça Frei Caetano Brandão and enter the Catedral Metropolitana de Belém. Founded in 1616, the church is the stage for the great Círio de Nazaré celebrations. Continue on to the Igreja de Santo Alexandre and visit the Museum of Sacred Art of Pará. Finish your tour at the Círio Museum, where you will learn about the history of one of Brazil’s greatest religious festivals, declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Estação das Docas
Estação das Docas is one of the most enjoyable walks in the city of Belém. The cultural, tourist and gastronomic complex located on the edge of Baía de Guajará is the ideal place to relax, enjoy the sunset and party into the night. Walk along the riverside and visit the various craft stores and sit down at Amazon Beer to taste a craft beer with the flavours of the Amazon. Stop by the traditional Cairu ice cream parlour, considered one of the 50 best in the world at the World Gelato Festival, and try the açaí ice cream, one of the 100 most iconic ice creams in the world according to the renowned international gastronomic encyclopedia TasteAtlas.
If you want to stretch out a little, take a delicious boat trip along Baía de Guajará and the Rio Guamã. With live music and typical dance performances, the tour takes place in the morning and also at dusk, passing along Belém’s waterfront and offering beautiful views of the city.
Theatro da Paz
The Theatro da Paz is the largest theater in the North and one of the most luxurious in Brazil. The first concert hall built in the Amazon, with neoclassical architectural features and inspired by the Teatro Scala in Milan (Italy), it was inaugurated in 1878 to host major operatic shows. The building is considered Brazilian Cultural Heritage by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN) and is open for guided tours. The tour offers an immersion into the history and art of this cultural icon while exploring its most striking spaces.
Mangal das Garças
On the banks of the Rio Guamã, the Mangal das Garças Zoo and Botanical Park represents a little piece of the Amazon in the middle of the urban center and is among the favourite excursions for tourists visiting Belém. Visit the butterfly garden and the nursery, climb the Belém Lighthouse to see the whole city from above, visit the Amazon Navigation Memorial, admire the beautiful view from the riverside deck and enjoy the late afternoon with the herons flying around the park. Take the opportunity to try the typical delicacies of Pará at the Manjar das Garças restaurant.
Ilha de Combu
The intense nature of Ilha de Combu provides an immersion in the Amazon Rainforest and is one of the must-see experiences for visitors to Belém. The boats that take you to the island leave from Praça Princesa Isabel and the journey takes 15 minutes to the first stop. While the boats cruise along the narrow strips of water, you can see the various restaurants on the island serving the best of Pará cuisine and a taste of the way of life of the riverside communities. You can choose where to visit and at each stop you just have to call for a new boat or wait for the next one to pass by.
On your visit to the island, go hiking in the forest, relax in one of the floating restaurants and visit Dona Nena’s iconic organic chocolate factory, ‘Filha do Combu’. The rural producer welcomes tourists with open arms to tell them how she created the chocolate brand and how the project has changed the lives of women in the region, preserving the ancestral knowledge of the Amazonian people and celebrating the riches of the forest. On a guided tour, you can see the cocoa plantations and the production of the chocolates, as well as taste the delicious products.
HOW TO GET THERE
Getting to Belém by air is simple and practical. Belém International Airport receives direct flights from Lisbon (Portugal) and several Brazilian capitals, such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Manaus and Fortaleza. Located about 10 km from the city center, the airport offers modern infrastructure, transport options such as cabs, mobility apps and city buses, as well as car rental companies, making it easy for tourists to get to and from the capital of Pará.
