The Top 17 Fun Things to Do in Curitiba, Brazil

When people think of vacationing in Brazil, the astonishing beaches are surely the first thing that comes to mind. However, if you are looking for a different type of tourism, Curitiba might be a great city to visit. There are dozens of fun things to do in Curitiba, Brazil, including many amazing parks.

Curitiba is the eighth-largest city in the country and the largest one in the South Region. It is one of the few Brazilian cities with a very high Human Development Index, one of the safest in the country, and has one of the highest rates of green area in Brazil. With 52 square meters of green space per person, Curitiba is home to over 30 parks and forests.

Jardim Botânico

The Botanical Garden of Curitiba is one of the most beautiful parks in Brazil. The greenhouse is the biggest attraction and one of the main landmarks in the city. It is a nice place to take amazing photos, go for a walk, or maybe do a picnic. Every three months the gardeners plant new flowers at the park so they are always in full bloom. Visiting the Botanical Garden is one of the most famous things to do in Curitiba, Brazil. You cannot miss it.

Ópera de Arame

This Opera House is amazing, overlooking an artificial lake and an inactive quarry. The metallic structure is an attraction of its own and the theater hosts several live concerts throughout the year. The wire and glass structure integrates really well with the natural environment around Parque das Pedreiras.

Universidade Livre do Meio Ambiente

Universidade Livre do Meio Ambiente is an old quarry transformed into a university. It is a place where you can learn about environmental policies while enjoying the beautiful landscape. With interesting structures and a breathtaking view, this university is open for visitation and you can stop there for pictures and coffee.

Further reading: What Are The Best Universities in Brazil?

Train Ride Curitiba-Morretes

If you have spare time in Curitiba, how about spending your day enjoying a lovely train ride to Morretes, a small historic city? You will get to cross the green mountains of Serra do Mar overlooking astonishing scenery. Furthermore, the ride goes through old tunnels, bridges, mountainsides, and hills. While in Morretes, the charming city also offers plenty of activities. You can have lunch in one of the many traditional restaurants, and check out the historical buildings, and parks.

Parque Barigui

This is another beautiful park in Curitiba, a good place for jogging and exploring nature. It is a very nice place with trees, open space, and a lake.

Parque Tanguá

This lovely park sits on top of a rock formation and you have a lovely view of the city from up there. It has a lot of flowers and a charming fountain good for pictures. Moreover, the place has plenty of space for relaxing, including benches, picnic tables, a bar, and a pier.

Further reading: Best Places For Outdoor Activities in Rio de Janeiro.

Museu Oscar Niemeyer

Famous architect Oscar Niemeyer designed this museum when he was 95 years old. It is also known as the Eye Museum. Museu Oscar Niemeyer focuses on the visual arts, architecture, and design. This museum is famous for its shape and is one of the 17 fun things to do in Curitiba, Brazil.

Flower Clock

This famous flower clock is located at Praça Garibaldi. The plaza itself is not impressive, but if you are visiting someplace nearby, just get there to take a picture. The flowers are replaced every three months, respecting the flowering seasons.

Museu Ferroviário

The Curitiba Railway Museum has a collection of 600 historical railway pieces, including a locomotive vehicle from the early 20th century. Furthermore, you can learn a bit about the story of the construction of the Paranaguá-Curitiba railroad.

Santa Felicidade

The Santa Felicidade neighborhood is popular for its restaurants and hotels. This neighborhood was founded by Italian immigrants and Italian food is a hit there. This place is great for a day trip — you can enjoy the charming streets and small shops before going out for dinner and drinks at night. All-you-can-eat restaurants are the most popular options. On top of that, most hotels in Curitiba offer transfers for visitors wanting to visit Santa Felicidade for a food tour.

Rua das Flores

Rua das Flores is a pedestrian-only street in downtown Curitiba, one of the main streets of the city. It is a nice place to enjoy everyday tasks, such as having a coffee, buying the newspaper, having breakfast, and buying flowers. There are benches and flowerbeds throughout the street, so it is a pleasant place to enjoy your day while walking around.

Rua 24 Horas

This shopping mall is so famous it stamps a few postcards of the city. It is a shopping complex that offers restaurants, bars, clothing stores, and more. Unfortunately, it is not as popular as it was a couple of decades ago and it is not open 24 hours a day anymore either.

Bosque Alemão

This park is a tribute to the German immigrants in Curitiba. If you have kids, a lovely road mimics the path of Hansel and Gretel through de forest to the witch’s house. Bosque Alemão also hosts a small German cafe where you can have some German treats and desserts.

Municipal Zoo

The Curitiba Municipal Zoo is quiet and well-maintained. It is a big place with a great variety of animals and species. And the best thing is the entrance is free.

Vinícola Durigan

Vinícola Durigan is not a winery per se, but a wine shop where you can buy good-quality cheese, local wine, salami, and sweets. The place is also famous for its cheese and wine tasting.

Further reading: The Best Brazilian Wines and Great Wineries to Visit in Brazil.

Museu do Automóvel

If you like cars and enjoy seeing old models, this antique car museum is a nice place to visit. It hosts around 150 vintage cars, alternating in 70 at each exhibition. Among the most popular cars are 1929 Cord L-29 Brougham, Cadillac Presidencial 1952, and Ford T Sport Runabout 1926.

Bosque João Paulo II

This is one of the most adorable parks in the city. So, if you are looking for fun things to do in Curitiba, Brazil, do not forget to plan to spend a lovely afternoon there. This park is full of flowers, wooden houses, benches, and green spaces. Bosque João Paulo II also pays homage to the Polish families who immigrated to Curitiba. Roberto Burle Marx was responsible for landscaping the park, preserving the native forest, and planting hundreds of new pine seedlings.

Bonus Tip: City Tour Bus

The double-decker sightseeing bus stops at 26 different attractions around the city and you can use it to visit most of the places on this list. The bus is available at the special bus stops every 30 minutes and you can drop off at any station. To use it, you need to buy a special pass which gives you the right to unlimited boarding in a period of 24 hours. The boarding pass costs R$50.

Check the bus route here.

Caminhos Language Centre is the largest and most exciting Portuguese school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We have an excellent infrastructure, over 15 experienced Brazilian teachers, and a friendly multilingual support staff. We are the only school in Brazil able to offer Portuguese group courses throughout the year on 10 different levels. Moreover, our school also offers more than just Portuguese lessons for foreigners, we offer you the complete Rio de Janeiro experience. Every day we organize 100% free and fun activities for you to socialize and practice your Portuguese. We can also help you with a student visa for Brazil and accommodation in Rio de Janeiro.