Brazil's Central-West Region
Brasilia Travel Guide
Brasília, the capital of Brazil, is known for it's white modern architecture designed by Oscar Niemeyer.
Brasília, Brazil’s capital since 1960, is famed for its modernist architecture designed by Oscar Niemeyer and its unique, airplane-shaped city layout. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to key government buildings like the Palácio do Planalto and the Congresso Nacional. Brasília also features several parks and artificial lakes, creating a blend of urban development and natural spaces. Brasilia is also the gateway to the nearby national park Chapada dos Veadeiros, known for its magnificent waterfalls.
Top 5 Things to See & Do in Brasília
Explore the National Congress of Brazil
Visit the Cathedral of Brasília, designed by Oscar Niemeyer
Admire the Itamaraty Palace, designed by Oscar Niemeyer
Stroll through Parque da Cidade
Tour the Juscelino Kubitschek (JK) Memorial
Tours are available for those who wish to see several sites in one day, as well as learn more about the history and architecture of Brasilia. See here for a top rated Brasilia city tour.
Find cheap accommodation for your trip.
Where is Brasilia, Brazil
Closest airport
Brasília–Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport (BSB)
Main bus terminal
Rodoviária Interestadual de Brasília
N/A
Main ports
How to get to Brasilia
There are frequent bus and flight connections to Brasilia. Some of the direct international flights to Brasilia include Lisbon, Miami, Orlando, Panama, Cancun, Lima, Santiago de Chile, and others.
There are direct domestic flights from major cities including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, and more. Flying to Brasilia can be a little more expensive than flying to other cities, as it's the capital and home of Brazil's federal government (like flying to Canberra, for the Australians).
Most long-distance busses leave from Rodoviária Interestadual (Interstate Bus Terminal). However, Brasilia has several bus terminals, so make sure to double check exactly where your bus is scheduled to arrive and depart.
Click here to see available tickets and timetables for busses to and from Brasilia.
How to get around Brasilia
Getting around Brasilia is relatively straightforward, with several transportation options available. The city's public transportation system includes a well developed bus and subway system that connects various areas of the city and the main bus terminals. The fare for the subway is R$4 for a one-way trip, and fares for bus trips vary but are inexpensive. Up to date routes and timetables are can be found on Google Maps by searching for directions.
Ride-sharing services like 99 and Uber are also widely available and inexpensive, are a safer way to travel after dark.
A bike-share services is also available, allowing you to rent both regular and electric bikes in some parts of the city. Google Maps can tell you the number of bikes available near you when searching for directions for your route.
Things to know before you go
Brasília’s main attractions include its iconic Cathedral, the National Congress complex, and several other works by famed architect Oscar Niemeyer, showcasing the city's modernist design. These landmarks are located relatively close to each other, making it easy to explore them all in a single day on foot. However, while the walk between these sites is convenient, it's not the most scenic route, as the city is designed more for vehicles than pedestrians. Despite this, the architectural beauty of the buildings makes the journey worthwhile.
For those who prefer nature, there are many amazing attractions just a short distance from Brasilia. Day trips from Brasília include Pirenópolis (2 hours drive), Cachoeira Poço Azul (1.5 hours drive), and Chapada dos Veadeiros (3.5 hours drive). These can all be reached by bus or by rental car - this is highly recommended for trips to Chapada dos Veadeiros.
Disclaimer: Some of my pages contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a ticket through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the blog and allows me to keep providing helpful content. Thank you for your support!
