Goiânia, Brazil
Planned by the urbanist Armando de Godói, Goiânia is the capital and largest city of the state of Goiás. Located in the fertile Cerrado region, the city is famous for circular-shaped leafy avenues and high-rise buildings with Art Deco architecture.
How to Reach Goiânia
By Air – Aeroporto de Santa Genoveva or Santa Goiânia Airport (GYN), about five miles northeast of downtown, is served by Brazilian airlines.
By Road – Located at Praça do Trabalhador, the Rodoviária de Goiânia is a terminus where long-distance buses to major cities depart. The country’s capital Brasília is only three hours away via federal highway BR-060 and Rio de Janeiro lies about 810 miles southeast of the city.
Things to Do in Goiânia
Walk among beautiful sculptures at Praça Universitária, catch a weekend football game at Estádio Serra Dourada, watch a cultural show at Teatro Goiânia, take a leisurely stroll in Goiânia Botanical Garden, hang out with friends at Flamboyant Park, and do some sightseeing and people-watching at Goiânia Civic Square.
City’s oldest green space, Bosque dos Buritis (Buriti Park) features running tracks, picnic benches, artificial lakes, and Goiânia Art Museum. Vaca Brava Park remains open for recreational activities from dawn to dusk. While Parque Zoológico is home to over 1,000 animals, Areião Park is famous for monkeys.
Monumento dos Tres Marcos at Latif Sebba Square, Museu Memorial do Cerrado, Zoroastro Artiaga’s Museum, Pedro Ludovico’s Museum, and Rio Vermelho Theater are other points of interest in Goiânia.
Taste delicious pastries and buy health foods, clothes, and handicrafts in Mercado Central on Rua 3. For retail therapy, bargain in two famous weekend markets: Feira da Lua (on Saturday afternoon) and Feira do Sol (on Sunday afternoon). Order up local cuisine at Chão Nativo 1, sample succulent seafood in Bar do Peixe, feast on grilled steaks at Churrascaria Gramado or Churrascaria do Walmor, savor Mexican flavors at La Eskina, and taste Japanese sushi at Matsuri Restaurante.