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, because 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 speciality 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).