What are the best things to do in Brasília?
Top picks in Brasília include Three Powers Square, Itamaraty Palace, Brasilia Cathedral, Brasilia National Museum. See the full list and itinerary on this Brasília travel guide.
Photo: Arturdiasr · CC BY-SA 4.0
Why visit Brasília
Travel guide for Brasília, Brazil — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Brasília is a stop in Brazil, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise Three Powers Square, Itamaraty Palace, Brasilia Cathedral instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 45–120 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: The dry season (roughly May–September) is ideal. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
The dry season (roughly May–September) is ideal
Weather
From highland cool to tropical warmth
Experiences
Things to do in Brasília
1
Three Powers Square
2
Itamaraty Palace
3
Brasilia Cathedral
4
Brasilia National Museum
5
Television Tower
6
Juscelino Kubitschek Memorial
Budget travel
Free things to do in Brasília
Three Powers Square
Brasilia Cathedral
Juscelino Kubitschek Memorial
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Brasília itinerary (2 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Three Powers Square
- Visit Itamaraty Palace
- Visit Brasilia Cathedral
- Eat at Giraffas
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Brasilia National Museum
- Visit Television Tower
- Visit Juscelino Kubitschek Memorial
- Eat at Pizzaria Dom Bosco
Budget
Brasília trip cost
Budget
USD 20–40
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 45–120
per person / day
Luxury
USD 140–230+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Brasília, Brazil. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Brasília
Estimated total (USD)
$2,110
≈ $1,055 per person · $301 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $85/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Brasília mid-range ground costs (budget 20–40 · mid 45–120 · luxury 140–230+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Giraffas
Local chain with several locations around town. Rivals McDonalds in the fast food market by serving sandwiches and cheap beef/chicken + rice
Pizzaria Dom Bosco
The oldest active pizzeria in Brasilia. Sells reasonably cheap pizza by the slice.
Pizzaria Dom Bosco South Wing
Pizzaria Dom Bosco North Wing
Pizzaria Dom Bosco St. Sudoeste
Fourt Court of Conjunto Nacional Mall
A convenient place for finding reasonably priced food. The mall is located right beside the main bus terminal (rodoviaria) and at walking di
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Like U Hotel
Formerly the Bristol Hotel, central location with easy access to a shopping center and bus lines. From R$181 single per night.
Hotel Royal Tulip Brasília Alvorada
This large hotel by the Paranoa Lake and right next to the Alvorada Palace is reputed as the city's best. It's somewhat out of the way thoug
Lets Idea Brasília Hotel
A luxury 18-story 148-room hotel, adjacent to the central business and banking districts. You shouldn't be too agoraphobic if you want to us
Brasilia Palace Hotel
Designed by Oscar Niemeyer and inaugurated in 1958, this hotel completes the Brasilia/Niemeyer experience. It was the first hotel in the cit
- $
Meliá Brasil 21
This full service 5 star hotel features large rooms as well as a good restaurant and breakfast buffet.
Shopping
- Sebinho
- Conjunto Nacional
- The ParkShopping
Nightlife
- Outro Calaf
- Clube do Choro
Museums & culture
- Itamaraty Palace
- Brasilia Cathedral
- Brasilia National Museum
In pictures
Brasília gallery
Photos: Arturdiasr, Jonas Richter, Filipo Tardim, Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz), Jorge Luiz Castro — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Brasília travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Brasília?
The dry season (roughly May–September) is ideal.
How many days do I need in Brasília?
Plan at least 2 days in Brasília for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Brasília?
Popular stays in Brasília include Like U Hotel, Hotel Royal Tulip Brasília Alvorada, Lets Idea Brasília Hotel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Brasília cost?
On the ground in Brasília (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 20–40 per person per day, mid-range about 45–120, and luxury about 140–230+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Brasília, Brazil. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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