Things to Do in Curitiba

One of Curitiba’s most recognizable landmarks is the Oscar Niemeyer Museum (Museu Oscar Niemeyer), built by and for the famous architect. It highlights his modern designs that are prominent in many of his buildings around Brazil. The museum’s rotating exhibits showcase both national and international artists from the 20th and 21st centuries.

The museum is built in the shape of an eye and is perched on a large yellow pillar with playful dancing figures in black, positioning itself as the main attraction of the museum. Inside, myriad artists are represented as is Niemeyer himself in an exhibit that’s a museum highlight.   

You can visit the museum independently or with a city tour, most of which stop here and discuss the life of the famous Brazilian architect. To round out your cultural experience in Curitiba, book a sightseeing tour with dinner to see the city’s top attractions—such as the Wire Opera House (Ópera de Arame), Botanical Garden of Curitiba (Jardim Botânico de Curitiba), and Tangua Park (Parque Tanguá)—and sample some of Brazil’s delicious cuisine.

The Oscar Niemeyer Museum is located in the Civic Center of Curitiba. If you’re driving, there is paid parking on the premises. Alternatively many city buses—including the tourist bus, Linha Turismo, and the 505 from Passeio Público— stop right at the museum.

The museum is open from 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Sunday. It’s one of the city’s most popular attractions so it is best to get there early to avoid large crowds. Admission is free every Wednesday, and on the first Wednesday of each month the museum is open until 8pm. The best time to visit Curitiba is during the spring (September to December) and fall (March to June), when the weather is pleasant and there is less rain.

Oscar Niemeyer is one of Brazil’s most renowned and beloved architects. He designed many buildings throughout the country, most notably in Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro. The 183,000-square-foot (17,000-square-meter) space, also known as the Museum of the Eye, was designed by him and was completed when he was 95 years old.

Established in 1953, the diverse landscapes of Vila Velha State Park have attracted travelers in search of a quiet, picturesque respite from urban Rio since its inception. Towering sandstone formations that have been carved away by volcanic eruptions, wind and glaciers over the course of some 6,000 years, are just part of what gives this State Heritage site its unique appeal. 

Travelers can wander scenic trails through some of the park’s most iconic sandstones like the camel, sphinx and the well-known goblet. Popular Furnas—deep turquoise water holes formed by collapsed sandstone, are another popular feature of Vila Velha. Hell’s Cauldrons, home to two of these Furnas—is one of the park’s main attractions. Nearby Golden Pond, known for casting a yellow hue when hit by the sun, is another popular stop for visitors to the park.

Once Curitiba’s City Hall, the Palace of Liberty is today a multi-functional cultural center hosting conferences, lectures and exhibitions with its movie theater, sound studio and electronic art lab. Built in the beginning of the 20th century to house the local government, it has an eclectic construction style. After the city’s government was transferred in 1969, the building was used as a museum, and later, restored as the cultural center it is today.

Visitors can wander through the site, passing between the two statues of Hercules holding up the archway to explore the building’s four stories. Wooden art nouveau carvings can be seen throughout the building, and large windows open up out onto the square. On the third floor, elaborate painted ceilings have many visitors looking up. The building is said to have been the first in Curitiba to hold an elevator, brought directly from Europe. The elevator is no longer in operation but has been preserved for people to see.

In the middle of bustling Curitiba sits the expansive, green Tangua Park (Parque Tanguá). It is built around two rock quarries joined by a 150-foot (46-meter) tunnel as well as lakes and an artificial waterfall. Stroll around the park on foot, pedal around the quarries by bike, or simply relax and catch a beautiful sunset over the city.

Tangua Park is situated just 5 miles (8 kilometers) from the city center, providing a great respite from the hustle and bustle. The park is also great for observing some of the local flora and fauna such as Brazilian pine trees, armadillos, and mallards.

Tangua is typically included in a broader sightseeing tour of Curitiba on which you can also see key landmarks such as the Oscar Niemeyer Museum (Museu Oscar Niemeyer), the Wire Opera House (Ópera de Arame), and the Botanical Garden of Curitiba (Jardim Botânico de Curitiba).

The park is situated on the outskirts of Curitiba. You can rent a car and drive to the park, where there is free parking. Alternatively, several city bus lines—including the tourism bus, Linha Turismo—stop at Tangua Park.

The best time to visit Tangua Park is just before sunset, when the sky transforms into a palette of colors. Visit the park after your city tour or busy day of sightseeing to relax and enjoy the tranquility. Curitiba is most pleasant during spring (September to December) and autumn (March to June), when the weather is pleasant and there is less rain.

Before its inauguration, Tangua Park was intended to be an industrial waste recycling plant on the outskirts of the city. The idea was scrapped (no pun intended) and the city hired civil engineers to transform it into a public space. The park now boasts a large French-style garden with flower beds, water mirrors, and a gazebo as well as a 213-foot (65-meter) waterfall that drops right into the lakes.

Arguably the most important square in Curitiba, Praca Tiradentes is home to many of the city’s well-known sites, including the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica Minor of Our Lady of Light. Among the trees and statues in the square, visitors can walk over a glass-protected piece of the square’s original pavement, constructed in the first half of the 19th century. Thanks to the special lighting within the glass flooring, the spot is especially beautiful come nightfall.

The Cross of Christ and a historic monolith can also be found in the center of Praca Tiradentes.  The former was a symbol of the Military Order of the Christ, instituted by King Denis of Portugal in the 14th century, and represented the legal power of Portugal over the land and the settlement of Curitiba in 1693. According to legend the spot also marks the place where Indigenous Chief Tindiquera of the Tingui Tribe once chose to settle his people.

This historic city on the Cost of Brazil’s Parana state is home to fewer than 20,000 people. Still, its charming old world streets, hillside views and traditional restaurants make it a destination for travelers in search of a true taste of Brazil. 

Intrepid travelers can make the epic climb to the top of Marumbi Peak, where picturesque landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see. Historic monuments like the Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Porto Church, Casa Rocha Pombo and the Estrada do Central offer visitors the opportunity to venture back into the past. And after exploring the town, travelers can tuck into a plate of traditional barreado—a slow-cooked meat stew made famous by this town.

The Wire Opera House (Ópera de Arame) is one of Curitiba’s most recognizable buildings and an excellent example of modern architecture. Built entirely of glass and steel pipes, the theater is nestled in a lush green space surrounded by a lake. It can seat up to 2,400 spectators and hosts performances ranging from classical to popular.

The 29,000-square-foot (2,694-square-meter) Ópera de Arame is easily concealed by the lush greenery that surrounds it. Unless there is a performance on, visitors are welcome to enter the building for free and explore at their leisure. 

Most city tours of Curitiba stop at the Wire Opera House as well as other key landmarks such as the Oscar Niemeyer Museum (Museu Oscar Niemeyer), Botanical Garden of Curitiba (Jardim Botânico de Curitiba), Tangua Park (Parque Tanguá), and much more. If you want to dive deeper into Brazilian history and culture, hop on a sightseeing and dinner tour to get a taste of the local cuisine and visit top attractions, including the opera house.

The Wire Opera House is located in the tranquil Pedreira Park, just outside Curitiba’s city center in the Pilarzinho neighborhood. You can rent a car and drive to the theater, where there is free parking on the premises. Alternatively, several city busses—including the tourism bus, Linha Turismo—stop near Pedreira.

Ópera de Arama is open until 8pm daily except Monday. It’s popular, so aim to visit in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds. The best time to visit Curitiba is during spring (September to December) and fall (March to June), when the weather is pleasant and there is less rain.

The Ópera de Arame was completed in March 1992, after only 75 days of construction. The design was a collaboration between Curitiba’s mayor at the time, Jamie Lerner, and architect Domingos Bongestabs. The location is a deactivated quarry just north of Curitiba’s city center and was built to work with—rather than against—the surrounding nature.

The Botanical Garden of Curitiba (Jardim Botânico de Curitiba), in the middle of the city, provides a tranquil respite for locals and visitors alike. Designed in the style of French royal gardens, the park’s crown jewel is the 4,844-square-foot (450-square-meter) art nouveau, metal and glass greenhouse that sits against the Curitiba skyline.

Curitiba’s botanical garden is home to thousands of Brazilian tropical plant species, including rare flowers, as well as beautiful statues and fountains that you can explore for hours on end. Busy locals flock here as well to take a break from life on the lush green lawns. 

The garden is a highlight of broader sightseeing tours of Curitiba that also take in key landmarks such as the Oscar Niemeyer Museum (Museu Oscar Niemeyer), the Wire Opera House (Ópera de Arame), and Tangua Park (Parque Tanguá).

The Jardim Botânico is easily accessible by foot from Curitiba’s city center. You can also take a number of city buses—including the tourist bus, Linha Turismo—to the garden. It is advised not to drive, as parking is very limited.

The best time to visit the Botanical Gardens is during the spring months of September, October, and November, when the plants and flowers are just starting to bloom. The summer months, while busier, are also beautiful for relaxing and picnicking on the plush lawns. 

Since 2008, the Jardim Botânico de Curitiba has hosted an exhibit dubbed “The Garden of Sensations” in which visitors can experience vegetation with their senses. You can learn about 60 species of flora without your vision, by using smell and touch instead. It is one of the most popular exhibits of the gardens and intrigues guests of all ages.