Endless parks in one of the most pleasant capitals of Brazil: there is no shortage of things to do in Curitiba, Paraná.
In this text you will find a complete guide to organize your trip there – in addition to tourist tips, here you will know the best time to visit the city, have the indication of three hotels that 360meridians have already tested and suggestions of restaurants and tours. Shall we start?
What to do in Curitiba: 2 or 3 days of sightseeing in the city
Set aside a weekend to get to know Curitiba – whoever has the most time, at least three days, will also be with the busy schedule.
You can not make a list of all possible tours, but we set up a route with the most important tourist spots in Curitiba.
Top Tourist Attractions in Curitiba to Meet at a Weekend
- Historic Center
- the Botanical Gardens
- The Opera of Wire
- Eye Museum
- Parks and Squares
- Neighborhood of the Batel
- The Santa Felicidade neighborhood
The good news is that most of the tourist spots in Curitiba are free, so your spending on your itinerary around the city will be able to focus on the excellent bars and restaurants.
Itinerary in Curitiba: Historic Center
Start your itinerary through downtown Curitiba. You’ll probably spend a whole day of the script circulating there.
– Rua das Flores
Rua XV de Novembro has a closed boardwalk for cars, with flowery littles – hence the nickname of the road: Rua das Flores. Created in the 1970s, it was the first pedestrian street in Brazil. There you will find many shops, cafes and restaurants.
– Palace Avenue
And also the Avenida Palace, a historic building that serves as the stage for the presentations of the most famous choir in the city, Christmas yes and at the other Christmas as well.
– Largo of the Order
Nearby, in the Largo da Ordem, is where a fair occurs every Sunday morning. There are the Church of the Third Order of São Francisco das Chagas, the oldest temple in Curitiba, the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos de São Benedito and also the Clock of Flores.
– Cultural Centers
You will not walk even five minutes to reach two cultural centers, Solar do Rosário and the Cultural Palace Wolf Foundation. And also at the Curitiba Memorial, another cultural space with free activities.
– Ruins of San Francisco and Paranaense Museum
Still close, in João Cândido Square, are the Ruins of São Francisco, the remains of a Portuguese construction from the beginning of the 19th century. Just cross them and you will be at the Paranaense Museum, with permanent exhibitions that retell the history of the occupation of the territory of Paraná.
It is located at Rua Kellers, 289, and operates from Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10am to 4pm.
– Praça Tiradentes and Cathedral of Curitiba
Tiradentes Square, landmark zero of the city, and the Liberdade Palace are other important places that are next to each other. The last is a beautiful building, built at the beginning of the 20th century, and today serves as a cultural center of SESC. There is also the Cathedral of Curitiba, from 1893.
– 24 Hours Street
Another famous thoroughfare of Curitiba, the 24-hour Street is fully covered by a metal and glass structure, full of restaurants and shops. It opened in the early 1990s and renovated in 2011.
Today, it no longer works 24 hours, but it follows as a leisure option for the days and nights of the city. On the official website you can find a list of the establishments of the 24 hour street.
Oscar Niemeyer Museum or Eye Museum
Designed by the famous architect, the Oscar Niemeyer Museum has an eye format and more than 17,000 m2. This is where the nickname that is almost the official name of the place: Eye Museum.
It is located at Rua Marechal Hermes, 999, and operates from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm. Details on the MON website.
Almost in front of the museum is the Pope John Paul II Forest, built in 1980 in honor of the Pope and the Polish immigrants.
Near the Eye Museum is the Holocaust Museum, a small exhibition space with the memories of survivors connected to Brazil.
Botanical Garden of Curitiba
The most visited tourist spot in Curitiba is precisely the Botanical Garden, inaugurated in the early 1990s. The greenhouse – besides being the great postcard of the city – guards typical plants of the Atlantic Forest.
The Botanical Garden of Curitiba is located at Rua Engenheiro Ostoja Roguski and operates from Monday to Sunday, from 6 am to 7:30 pm. Admission is free of charge.
Opera of Wire and Pedreiras Park
Another classic postcard of the city and that is often confused with the Botanical Garden, the Arame Opera is a theater with capacity for up to a thousand people and that is part of another green area, the Pedreiras Park.
The address is Rua João Gava, 970. The Arame Opera opens from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8am to 6pm, and the entrance is also free.
Parks of Curitiba
As you may have supposed by the previous topics, some of the best tours of Curitiba are open-air – and with a lot of greenery. C
uritiba has five times more green areas per inhabitant than recommended by the World Health Organization. There are at least 30 parks and public forests, more than 70 green areas and a thousand squares and gardens.
Learn more: 5 amazing parks in Curitiba
– The Barigui Park
The damming of a river created a lake and baptized the Barigui Park. With 1.4 million square meters, this is one of the parks most frequented by Curitiba – and with 24-hour operation. It is on Av. Cândido Hartmann. Admission is also free.
– Tanguá Park
The Tanguá Park is located in the North Zone of the city and was also created to help control the floods of the Barigui River. It works daily, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the entrance is free. It is on Oswaldo Maciel Street.
– Tingui and Ukrainian Memorial Park
Tingui Park has lakes, bike paths, walkways and various leisure spaces, but what draws attention there is the Ukrainian Memorial, a wooden church that celebrates the immigrants from that country who came to live in Curitiba.
Entrance tickets are on Av. Fredolin Wolf or Rua José Casagrande.
– German Woods
A woods with 38m2 of native forest that belonged to a German family. The great attraction today is the trail of João and Maria, which narrates the tales of the Brothers Grimm and the Enchanted House or Witch Library, where it has storytelling.
In the Woods is also the Tower of the Philosophers, a wooden viewpoint that allows panoramic views of the city and the Serra do Mar.
Attention: the German Wood has been closed since January 2023 for recovery works. Admission is free, from 6am to 7pm.
It is located on Niccolo Paganini Street, corner with Franz Schubert – Vista Alegre. The bus stop of the tourist line is Canal 4 – TV Iguaçu.
– Parks and Squares in the Center
And it is worth taking a walk in squares, say, themes, such as the Japan Square in the neighborhood of the Batel, dedicated to Japanese immigrants, or even in more central green areas such as the Public Promenade, the oldest park in the city, inaugurated in the late 19th century.
On Wikipedia you can find a list of all parks and squares in Curitiba.
The Santa Felicidade neighborhood
There are people who find it prank, but Santa Felicidade is a traditional neighborhood and home of descendants of Italian immigrants – and, consequently, a lot of Italian restaurants.
This is a great region to get to know the night and enjoy dinner!
It is worth trying to go to Santa Felicidade during one of the festivals that mark the calendar of the neighborhood, such as the Festa do Chigo, Polenta and Vinho.
Neighborhood of the Batel
Batel is a traditional neighborhood of Curitiba, close to the center, but more charming. It is the best place to go to restaurants and bars, being our recommendation to enjoy the night in the city.
Among the attractions of the neighborhood are the Castle of Batel, a true palace where events take place. The Japanese Garden, a lovely and quiet space right in the middle of the city. And Shopping Patio Batel, which has several national and international brands.
Do you like football?
Curitiba has three major clubs in Brazilian football: Atlético Paranaense, Coritiba and Paraná. Each has its own field, which places stadiums such as the Arena da Baixada and Couto Pereira in the list of tourist attractions of the city.
If you like football, it is worth keeping an attentive lookout for days and times of play, on the sites of Atlético, Coritiba and Paraná.
Accommodation in Curitiba: Hotels
The best neighborhood to stay in Curitiba is the Batel, which is close to the center and glued with many attractions. If you want to understand better about the top regions to stay in Curitiba and see more hotel tips, check out our guide on the topic.
We have already stayed (and recommend) in three hotels on this axis, between Batel and the Center:
And two suggestions of hostels:
See also: 15 cups for rent on a weekend in Curitiba and surroundings
Where to eat in Curitiba: Tips
In addition to the restaurants listed below, it is worth having a meal at one of the many establishments in the Municipal Market of Curitiba, which is also a great place to buy typical products and souvenirs.
Another option is to go to 24 hours Street and find a restaurant there, as well as for the Santa Felicidade neighborhood.
Some restaurant tips we have already tried in Curitiba
- Quintana – One of the best restaurants in the city, Quintana is in the Batel. It is possible to pay a fixed amount to serve in the buffet or choose the price at the kilo. Each day of the week has a different inspiration menu. It is on Avenida Batel, 1440, and opens only for lunch. Details and menu of the day on their Facebook page.
- Bar do Alemão – One of the most traditional bars in Curitiba, in operation since 1979. Stay on Dr Street. Claudino dos Santos, 63. It is the promenade of Largo da Ordem, right in the historic center of the city. It works every day, from 11am until 2am. Details on the official website.
- Madalosso – The largest restaurant in the Santa Felicidade neighborhood, the stronghold of Italian immigrants, has almost five thousand seats. It operates from Monday to Saturday, from 11:30 to 15h and from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. And also on Sundays, but only for lunch: from 11:30 to 15:30. It is located at Avenida Manoel Ribas, 5875. Official website.
Back-backs of Curitiba, Paraná: For those who have more time
Do you have more time in Curitiba or are you visiting the city for the second time? Then take the opportunity to visit the surroundings. Below, we list some of the most common back beats for those who visit Curitiba.
A tour to Morretes
The most traditional back is to Morretes, a historic city 70 km from Curitiba. The most beautiful way to get there is by train, on a tourist promenade that lasts all morning and passes through the Serra do Mar.
See also: Train ride in Curitiba, a hit back to Morretes
The Island of Honey
If you want to continue traveling from Morretes, then go to Antonina, 15 km from Morretes, and from there to Ilha do Mel. Alternatively, the route between Curitiba and Pontal do Paraná takes 1h30. Then just make a 30-minute crossing to the island.
Remember that cars are prohibited in Ilha do Mel, and it is necessary to make the percusos on foot to know the sights and landscapes.
If you want to ease in the organization of the visit to Ilha do Mel, check out this tour that is picking you from the hotel and includes all the tours on Ilha do Mel, including lunch, guide and transportation.
Wine Path in São José dos Pinhais
The city of São José dos Pinhais is part of the metropolitan region of Curitiba and has several traditional Italian colonies and wineries. So much, they created a tourist circuit called Caminho do Vinho, with several wineries and wineries, as well as restaurants and colonial cafes.
You can make the journey yourself, but I suggest you avoid drinking and driving.
Alternatively, I found two tours that include the wine route:
Beto Carreiro World
The most famous theme park in Brazil is about 3h30 from Curitiba. Beto Carreiro is in Santa Catarina. It is not the quieter turn, but it is not impossible either.
For those who do not want to drive, this tour to Beto Carreiro World arrives at 9:30 am in the park and only returns to Curitiba at 7:00 p.m., ensuring a full day at the attraction, and included the ticket in the price of the tour.
Should I rent a car in Curitiba?
In general, the car does not help so much within the city. It is easier to move on foot, by public transport or by using mobility applications.
There is also a tourist line, those double-decker buses that exist all around the world, and that pass in the main attractions of Curitiba. Check prices, schedules and itinerary here.
On the other hand, the car can be a facilitator for those who want to leave Curitiba and follow a trip through the interior of the state. If you decide to do so, learn how to rent a vehicle ensuring the best value for money.
When is the best time to visit Curitiba?
Curitiba is the national capital of Christmas. If you can choose a period of the year to visit the city, go during the presentations of the Avenida Palace, the choir created in the 1990s and that became a landmark of the city – the spectacle is exciting, very well produced and free.
In addition, near Christmas Curitiba gains special lighting, various events and a different climate. The presentations take place from the end of November to mid-December, always on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Palacio Avenida – such as the Christmas show of Curitiba
July and August are the driest and coldest months. From April to September it rains less and the temperatures are more pleasant.
There is not a period of the year that the trip is advised against, just know what to expect, after all many of the city’s attractions are parks and outdoor areas.
The rainy season in Curitiba runs from November to March, but also drops a lot of water at other times.
What to do in Curitiba with rain?
Did it rain? Well, as you will see on the next topic, this is not that unusual and does not even need to hinder the trip.
If the weather is bad, give preference to walks in closed places, such as the Eye Museum, the Paranaense Museum, 24 hour Street and the Municipal Market. In this link you will find a list of the most important museums in Curitiba.
