Brazil's South-East Region
Tiradentes Travel Guide
Known for its cobblestone streets, baroque churches, and the Maria Fumaça steam train, Tiradentes is a hotspot for cultural and gastronomy festivals.
Tiradentes is a historical town best known for its coloured colonial-era buildings, cobblestone streets, and baroque churches, such as the Igreja Matriz de Santo Antônio. The town is a hub for traditional Brazilian crafts and cuisine, with a focus on artisanal food and handmade goods. Tiradentes is also a starting point for the Maria Fumaça steam train, which connects to São João del Rei, offering views of the surrounding countryside. The town plays a central role in the history of Brazil’s independence movement and today is a venue for annual cultural events, including film and gastronomy festivals.
Top 10 Things to See & Do in Tiradentes
Visit Igreja de Stanto Antonio
Visit the Fountain of St. Joseph
Go on a day trip to Bochinho
Taste locally made cheese and cachacas
Go hiking in Serra de São José
Explore the eclectic Casa Torta
Visit the Padre Toledo Museum
Visit the Museum of St. Anne (Old Jailhouse)
Go a horse-carriage ride around the historic centre
Take a steam train ride to São João del Rei
Where to stay in Tiradentes
Find cheap accommodation for your stay in Tiradentes, or check out my personal recommendations:
Hotels
Hotel Ponta do Morro - features a garden deck with view of the mountains, pool and waterslide (availability)
Pousada Richard Rothe - features a large outdoor pool and amazing breakfast (availability)
Pousadas (Guesthouse)
Pousada Berço Mineiro - budget friendly guesthouse with a homemade breakfast (availability)
Pousada Pequeno Oásis - romantic studio apartments with bathtubs (availability)
Pousada Ouro de Minas - best for couples, offers rooms with a private hot tub (availability)
Hostels
Hostel Tiradentes - hostel offering cheap dorms and private rooms with a small pool (availability)
Hostel Lumiar da Serra - conveniently located in the centre of town (availability)
Where is Tiradentes, Brazil
Closest airport
Aeroporto Internacional de Confins / Tancredo Neves (CNF)
Main bus terminal
Terminal Rodoviário de Tiradentes
N/A
Main ports
Cheap flights to get to Tiradentes
How to get to Tiradentes
The closest airport to Tiradentes is located in Belo Horizonte, with regular international and domestic connections. Belo Horizonte is also well connected with busses to other major cities.
How to get to Tiradentes from Belo Horizonte
From Belo Horizonte, take one of the regular busses from Terminal Rodoviário de Belo Horizonte (map) to São João del-Rei. The trip takes around 3.5 hours (tickets & timetable).
From the main bus station in São João del-Rei, take a local bus 30 minutes to Tiradentes. The bus costs R$6.40 and must be paid in cash. If you arrive during the day, you can buy your ticket from the ticket booth at the station. After 5pm when the ticket office is closed, you must pay directly on the bus. In this case, you will need to pay a boarding tax of R$0.75 at the booth by the entrance, and present the receipt when you enter the boarding area.
How to get to Tiradentes from Rio de Janeiro
The fastest way to get to Tiradentes from Rio de Janeiro is to fly to Belo Horizonte and take a bus. However, if you prefer to travel by land, there is an overnight bus that runs directly from Rio's Novo Rio bus terminal (map) to Belo Horizonte, and from here you can take a bus to São João del-Rei. The trip from Rio to Belo Horizonte takes around 7.5+ hours (tickets & timetable).
How to get around Tiradentes
Many of the Tiradente's main sights can be reached on foot. Busses and taxis also operate within Tiradentes.
Maria Fumaça Steam Train
One of Tiradente's main attractions is the old Tiradentes steam train, known as the Maria Fumaça. This is a historic 19th-century narrow-gauge railway in Brazil that runs between the towns of Tiradentes and São João del Rei. This train offers a scenic 12-kilometer 45 minute journey through the countryside. While the train ride is considerably more expensive than the bus (R$86 one way, 2025), it offers a scenic trip through the mountains. Tickets can be purchased online.
How to get to Bochinho from Tiradentes
A local bus connects Tiradentes with the nearby town Bochinho, 8km away, for R$5 each way, paid in cash to the driver. The bus runs from the main bus station in Tiradentes to Bochinho at 7am, 12pm, and 5.30pm Monday to Friday.
The bus returns from Bochinho to Tiradentes at 6am, 11am, and 4.30pm. You can board the bus to return either at the town square, or at the front of Casa Torta - pick up from Casa Torta was around 15 minutes after the scheduled departure time (the 4.30pm bus passed Casa Torta around 4.45pm).
Things to know before you go
Tiradentes is one of Brazil’s most iconic colonial towns, renowned for its well-preserved Baroque churches, cobblestone streets, and its connection to Brazil’s independence movement. The town is named after Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, known as Tiradentes, a leader in the Inconfidência Mineira, an 18th-century revolutionary movement.
Historical and Architectural Significance
Tiradentes is home to exquisite examples of colonial and Baroque architecture, with landmarks like the Igreja Matriz de Santo Antônio, featuring gilded interiors and intricate woodwork, and the Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos, built by and for enslaved Africans. The town’s central square, Largo das Forras, remains a focal point, surrounded by historic structures.
Cultural Experiences
The town offers a range of cultural activities. Visitors can explore the Museu de Sant’Ana, which displays a collection of religious art, or the Museu Padre Toledo, located in a former residence associated with the Inconfidência Mineira. Both museums provide insights into Tiradentes’ role in Brazil’s history.
Natural Surroundings
Tiradentes is surrounded by the Serra de São José mountain range, where visitors can hike various trails through the Atlantic Forest, swim in nearby waterfalls, and see panoramic views of the town. It is also a great place for birdwatchers to spot Toucans, which live in the area.
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