Porto Alegre

The last major city that visitors encounter as they head southwards out of Brazil is also one that seems uniquely different to the nation as a whole. The curious historical separatism that lingers here as a result of the gaucho culture has inspired a thriving and altogether divergent stream of artistic styles and city-living, with liberal politics, neo-classical art and relaxed vibes taking centre stage. Visitors enjoy verdant inner-city parks, a wealth of monumental statues and some of the best preserved Spanish colonial architecture left in Brazil, not to mention world-renowned views of the famous Guaíba River sunset at dusk. But this city is far from compact, and guests looking to tick off all the boxes should be sure to ask their Porto Alegre tourist guide for ideas on how to travel between points of interest the best. Literature lovers should aim to arrive late in the year, when the city hosts the annual Brazilian Bookfair, a festival that currently attracts more than two million people every year. What’s more, Porto Alegre is known for its particularly flamboyant Carnival season, and is one of the few places in the country where authentic gaucho culture can still be seen flourishing in the streets.