São Paulo 1-day itinerary

Start in Vila Madalena — São Paulo's most creative neighbourhood. Walk the Beco do Batman (Batman Alley), an open-air gallery of ever-changing graffiti covering every surface. Continue through the surrounding streets — Vila Madalena has more street art per block than anywhere in South America. Coffee at Coffee Lab (R$12–18) on Rua Fradique Coutinho, one of Brazil's best specialty roasters.

Metro to Consolação for Avenida Paulista — São Paulo's iconic boulevard. Visit MASP (R$60, free on Tuesdays) — the most important art museum in South America, with works by Rembrandt, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Portinari suspended from the ceiling on glass easels. Walk the full length of Paulista — on Sundays it closes to traffic and becomes a giant pedestrian promenade. Lunch at a padaria for a pão de queijo and fresh juice (R$15–25).

Metro to Liberdade — the largest Japanese community outside Japan. Walk under the red torii gates and paper lanterns of Praça da Liberdade. Dinner at a traditional izakaya or ramen shop on Rua Galvão Bueno (R$30–55 for ramen). The Mercado Municipal nearby closes at 6pm but the surrounding streets have excellent yakisoba stalls. End with caipirinhas at a Vila Madalena bar (R$18–30).