Places / South America / Brazil
Brasília
Not been yet
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Region
- Federal District
- Population
- 2.8 million
- Best time to go
- May to September
- Main airport
- Brasília International (BSB)
- Coordinates
- 15.79°S, 47.88°W
Visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Overview
Brasília was built from scratch on the central plateau and inaugurated in 1960, a planned capital laid out by Lúcio Costa in the shape of an aeroplane or a bird, with buildings by Oscar Niemeyer. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a pilgrimage for modernism lovers.
It is a city made for cars, with vast lawns and long distances, so plan your route. The reward is a skyline of sweeping white curves under enormous skies, and sunsets over Lake Paranoá.
Things to see
-
Photo: Tissiana de A. de Souza, CC BY-SA 4.0 Cathedral of Brasília
Sixteen concrete curves rise like hands in prayer, framing a luminous interior of stained glass and floating angels.
-
Photo: Eurico Zimbres, CC BY-SA 2.5 National Congress
Twin towers flanked by a dome and an upturned bowl, the defining image of the city at the end of the Monumental Axis.
-
Photo: Diego Baravelli, CC BY-SA 4.0 Itamaraty Palace
The foreign ministry, a colonnaded palace that seems to float on a reflecting pool, with tours of its art-filled interior.
-
Photo: Ivano Gutz, CC BY-SA 3.0 Praça dos Três Poderes
The great square where the presidency, Congress and Supreme Court face one another.
-
Photo: Fwsbsb, CC BY-SA 4.0 Santuário Dom Bosco
A church walled with blue stained glass that bathes the interior in deep, glowing light.
-
Photo: Cayambe, CC BY-SA 3.0 JK Memorial
The museum and tomb of President Juscelino Kubitschek, who willed the new capital into being.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
-
Photo: Daderot, CC0 TV Tower viewpoint and fair
Look down the Monumental Axis from the tower's platform, then browse the craft and food stalls at its base.
-
Photo: Gabriel Fernandes from São Paulo, Brasil, CC BY-SA 2.0 Walk a superquadra
Wander the residential superblocks of the Asa Sul, with their stilted apartment buildings, shaded gardens and local shops.
-
Photo: Agência Brasília, CC BY 2.0 Sunset at the JK Bridge
Watch the sun go down over Lake Paranoá from the bridge's leaping steel arches.
-
Photo: MTur Destinos, Public domain Chapada dos Veadeiros
Spend a few days among waterfalls, canyons and savanna in this national park, a few hours' drive north.
Find tours
Where to stay
Hotel sectors
The Setor Hoteleiro Norte and Sul are central and practical, close to the Monumental Axis.
Hotels in Hotel sectorsAsa Sul
The southern wing's residential blocks have the best choice of restaurants and bars.
Hotels in Asa SulLago Sul
Upmarket and leafy on the lakeshore, best if you have a car.
Hotels in Lago Sul
Getting around
Distances are large; use taxis and ride-hailing apps, or the metro along the southern wing. The monumental core is walkable, but bring water and sun protection.
The airport is about 11 kilometres from the centre, around 20 minutes by taxi.
When to go
May to September is the dry season, with clear skies and pleasant temperatures but very low humidity. October to April brings heavy afternoon rain and greener landscapes.
Plan your trip to Brasília
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.