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capital and largest city in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul
South America > Brazil > South (Brazil) > Rio Grande do Sul > Grande Porto Alegre > Porto Alegre
Travel Warning WARNING: Porto Alegre suffers since May 1 the effects of torrential rains and severe floods that affected the city and the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Floods affected parts close to Lake Guaíba, including the Historic District, with significant damages to properties and infrastructure and disruptions to essential services. Many accesses to the city are blocked. Flights to Salgado Filho International Airport in Porto Alegre have been suspended indefinitely.
Government travel advisories
(Information last updated 06 May 2024)

Porto Alegre is the capital city and the most populous city of the state Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state in Brazil. With 4.4 million people in its metropolitan area (2020), it is the 4th largest city of the country. The city is not known for its tourist attractions, although it is a frequently used entry point to the Serras Gaúchas region, a major domestic tourism destination.

Districts

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Map
Map of Porto Alegre

 Central Zone
The area around Lake Guaíba, where most of the tourist attractions are, such as the Usina do Gasômetro, museums, centuries-old churches and outdoor leisure areas. Central Zone is also home of Cidade Baixa, a neighboorhood with a vibrant nightlife, with its numerous pubs and nightclubs with live shows.
 North Zone and Islands
Less hectic than the Central Zone, the North Zone includes the Airport, FIERGS and the shopping centers Iguatemi and Bourbon Wallig. The Arena do Grêmio stadium is also there, in addition to several leisure and entertainment options.
 East Zone
A suburban area, East Zone is home of Santana Hill (Morro Santana), the highest point in the Porto Alegre area.
 Southeast Zone
The home of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul and the Vale Campus of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, it is a largely residential area.
 South Zone
A suburban region with beautiful beaches around Lake Guaíba, it has several wooded parks with places to practice sports. It is the perfect place to escape the hectic city life and take refuge in the tranquility of nature.

Understand

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Porto Alegre is the state capital of Rio Grande do Sul and the biggest urban agglomeration of Southern Brazil. Situated geographically and culturally midway between São Paulo and Buenos Aires, Porto Alegre developed its distinct flavor of Portuguese heritage under the influence of other European immigrants and a variety of other ethnic groups. It is one of the richest cities in the country, the state capital with the highest life quality and literacy rate (97%), and the book capital of Brazil. However, Porto Alegre still suffers from many problems that affect big Brazilian cities, such as poverty of part of the population, lack of adequate housing, high cost of living, pollution, violence and traffic jams.

Gaúchos, as natives of Rio Grande do Sul state are known, are very proud of their land and culture. In 1835, Ragamuffin War, a separatist uprising which declared Rio Grande do Sul independent from Brazil broke out. This war wreaked havoc across the entire state during 10 bloody years, killing nearly 20% of Gaúchos and ultimately leading to a peace treaty where the Riograndense Republic once again became part of Brazil.

Another major Brazilian revolution also began in Rio Grande do Sul. The Federalist Revolution of 1893 defended the decentralization of powers and greater autonomy for the states, and only finished in 1895, after spreading to two other states. It was also in Rio Grande do Sul (Porto Alegre) where the Brazilian Revolution of 1930 which overthrew the president Washington Luis began, and so was from Rio Grande do Sul the most important Brazilian communist revolutionary of all times: Luis Carlos Prestes, who led the nation-wide communist upheaval in 1935. For such reasons, among many others, Gaúchos are particularly proud of their mother state, many considering themselves different from other Brazilians.

Porto Alegre is now a service-centered city in between the industrial part of the state (north-east) and the rural part (south). Today, is also called the Mercosur Capital.

Climate

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Porto Alegre
Climate chart (explanation)
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Source: National Institute of Meteorology (INMET)
Imperial conversion
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

Due to its low altitude and southern location, Porto Alegre has a very variable humid subtropical climate, but is known for its well-defined seasons. Summer is generally hot and humid and the winter is cool. During summer, it is common for the humidity to get high, giving a feeling of muffling. However, the summer in Porto Alegre tends to be less rainy than in other Brazilian cities, like São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. In winter, sometimes it is possible to have frost.

Porto Alegre has a wide range of temperatures. Depending on the neighborhood in which you are in Porto Alegre, humidity can cause temperatures to vary a few degrees above or below. In the winter months, temperatures vary from cold to mild. The average temperature throughout the days are usually 15 ºC (59 ºF) and the nights tends to have an average of 10º C (50 ºF), although it is not uncommon for some years where there may be days in the winter with temperatures up to 30 ºC (86 ºF). This phenomenon is locally called "veranico" (Indian summer). In some years, winter temperatures can also be freezing, reaching close to 0º C (32 ºF). Unlike the cities located in the Serra Gaúchas region, where there is the highest altitude, in Porto Alegre rarely snows. The last time this phenomenon occurred was in 1984.

The summer in Porto Alegre is hot and humid. Temperatures can be very high and oppressive, sometimes reaching around 40 ºC (104 ºF), leading the city to earn the nickname "Forno Alegre" (Forno is the Portuguese word for "oven"). However, these high temperatures can be interrupted by cold fronts that bring rain for a few days, bringing a welcome relief from the high temperatures. Rainfall are evenly distributed throughout the year. There is not a completely dry month, although there may be less rain from March to May. Afternoon thunderstorms in the spring and summer are common, so it is recommended to bring an umbrella to protect of the rain.

Regardless of the time of year, Porto Alegre is a very sunny city during the year, so it is recommended to use sunscreen.

Get in

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Salgado Filho International Airport in Porto Alegre has flights throughout South America, and flights to Lisbon and Panama City.

By plane

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There is a train station (known as trensurb by locals) and bus stops near the airport. A people mover (aeromóvel) connects the train station with the airport terminal.

By train

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The Trensurb in Porto Alegre.

A commuter train service known as Trensurb[dead link], serve only the metropolitan area, with one line connecting Historic Distric to some cities in the Greater Porto Alegre such as Canoas, Esteio, Sapucaia do Sul, São Leopoldo and Novo Hamburgo. The fare is R$4.50 and there's a station near Rodoviária (Central Bus Station) and the airport. It is more or less safe to walk during day time from Rodoviária or the airport to the stations. An automated people-mover (Aeromóvel) connects the first floor of the terminal to the local train station.

By car

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Coming from the North (Florianópolis, Curitiba, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro), one may reach Porto Alegre by two ways. BR-116 is shorter, but much more dangerous. This road is used to reach other destinations in Rio Grande do Sul, such as Caxias do Sul, Gramado and Canela. BR-116 also connects all major metropolitan cities and traffic jams are frequent during rush hours in weekdays. One way to escape traffic jams during peak hours is BR-448, which links Porto Alegre to Sapucaia do Sul in the metropolitan area. The other way to get to Porto Alegre from the North is using BR-101 to Osório and then BR-290. The first connects Curitiba, Florianópolis and Osório, and is being upgraded to highway standards; the latter crosses Rio Grande do Sul from Osório to Uruguaiana, through Porto Alegre. The section between Osório and Porto Alegre is called free-way by locals, and is a very well-maintained 6-lane toll-road.

Also, in neighboring Canoas, BR-386 begins, connecting the metropolitan area with other major cities in the countryside, such as Santa Cruz do Sul, Santa Maria and Passo Fundo. It has 4 lanes up to Tabaí and it is in decent conditions.

From the South, coming from cities such as Pelotas, Rio Grande, and Chuí, one would use BR-116.

From the East, Porto Alegre is reachable by BR-290 from Uruguaiana and Argentina. Using this road, it's possible to reach southern cities such as Bagé and Santana do Livramento. This section of BR-290 shares a stretch with BR-116, from Guaíba's Bridge up to Eldorado do Sul interchange.

Some of these roads are dangerous due to their poor signalling/conditions and lots of trucks. Most of them are toll-roads and have electronic speed traps. Schedule your travels by car during the day; it is simply safer. Another important point is that the Guaíba Bridge, in the BR-290, which crosses Lake Guaíba, is a movable bridge that may have its transit interrupted for lifting its movable span to give passage to large ships. It is important to be aware of the lift schedules so as not to be taken by surprise. They are available on the CCR Via Sul website (in Portuguese), the company responsible for the bridge.

By bus

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The Porto Alegre interstate bus station (rodoviária).

The long distance bus station is located in the downtown and offers state, national and international lines. Daily services connects Porto Alegre with several cities inside the country and also Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Paraguay. It is also connected to a Trensurb station and several municipal bus lines.

  • 2 Porto Alegre Bus Terminal (Estação Rodoviária de Porto Alegre), Largo Vespasiano Júlio Veppo, 70 (Rodoviária Trensub Station next to the entrance), ☏ +55 51 3210-0101. Rodoviária de Porto Alegre (Q10276108) on Wikidata (updated Apr 2021)

By boat

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Besides its decent port facilities for cargo, a commuter catamaran service connects downtown and Barra Shopping Sul to Guaíba, a neighbour city situated on the other side of Guaíba Lake. The crossing takes 20 minutes and costs R$ 7,35 each way. Checking the schedule beforehand is recommended.

Get around

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The city is roughly a semi-circle that expanded outward in a concentric manner, beginning from the Historic District, right next to the promontory and the harbor. Avenues going from the center to the outer areas of the semi-circle are the radiais (radials) and are crossed by avenues named perimetrais (perimeters). Hence, to go to and from downtown one will use mostly the former, whereas to go from one neighborhood to another, one uses the latter.

By bus

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The Carris company provides municipal bus transport in Porto Alegre.

To understand the bus system, one must consider the above description. All lines are identified as "(prefix)-number name/neighborhood". Almost all lines are radial, that is, they connect an outer neighborhood to the various downtown terminals. Those lines have no prefix. It is quite common to switch buses at downtown but, considering there is a myriad of lines there, it can be challenging to find the right terminal to hop on the next bus. Transversal lines (prefix "T" - T1, T2, ..., T11), connect different neighborhood without going through the downtown area, effectively eliminating the need of changing buses for the most common trips. Circular lines (prefix "C" - C1, C2, C3), as the name indicates, run in a circular manner, usually connecting parts of the downtown area to the nearest neighborhoods.

The Porto Alegre city bus system is operated by the public company Carris and by four consortiums of private companies. With the exception of Carris, which has lines connecting all regions of Porto Alegre, almost all lines of each consortium connects the Historic District to a different zone of Porto Alegre. Buses can have different colors depending on the region they serve:

  • Carris serves all areas of Porto Alegre (mainly through the Transversal lines - identified by the prefix "T", i.e. T1, T2...) and its buses are ocher in color.
  • Via Leste and Consórcio Mais has its buses in green. The lines connect the Historic District to the East and Southeast Zones of the city, respectively.
  • Mob has its buses in blue. The lines connect the Historic District to the North Zone and Islands of the city.
  • Viva Sul has its buses in red. The lines connect the Historic District to the South Zone.

The PoaTransporte website provides a map with all the stops nearby and the buses that pass through them, in addition to the route that each bus line takes. Together with Google Maps this can give you a clue.

It is very hard to find bus stops with indication of lines' destinations or timetables. Hence, when in doubt, the easiest way is to ask the locals which bus will get you to you destination. Porto Alegre's buses are, in most cases, clean, safe and fast, specially when the line uses the bus corridor, a reserved lane with special stops in main avenues, effectively avoiding traffic jams. However, Porto Alegre buses can get crowded and accommodate only standing passengers during peak hours, in the early morning and late afternoon. In order to use the bus, you must be at a bus stop and signal or wave your hand to the arriving bus you want to ride (they will not stop unless waved upon!).

The fare must be paid to the bus ticket reviser before crossing the turnstile located inside the bus. Fares may be paid either in cash or using a smartcard system named TRI. TRI-users get discounts in consecutive trips - a 50 percent discount is granted to the second trip within half an hour. Fares are listed below:

classfareremarks
infantfreemust pass under or over the turnstile
studentR$ 2.40must use a special TRI card
adultR$ 4.80second trip is R$ 2.40 (with TRI)
resident senior (60 yr+)freemust use a special TRI card
senior (65 yr+)freeany document proving age is enough

By lotação

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A minibus of Lotação.

The Lotação is an alternative transportation system, with fewer lines, served by minibuses with up to 20 people in capacity. All minibuses are air conditioned and some of them have reclining seats. Unlike buses, Lotações do not travel on the bus lanes and you can get on and off at any point (that is, outside the designated stops) of the trip. The fare is R$ 8. The minibuses are easily recognized by their "red, white and blue" color. If you're not sure if a Lotação goes to the destination you want to go, just wave your hand, wait until it stops and from the street ask the driver if it goes to your destination (for instance to go to Iguatemi Mall just say Iguatemi?), don't go in just to ask otherwise the driver might ask you to pay the fare since the counter is measured on the stairs near the door.

By taxi

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Taxis outside of the Porto Alegre interstate bus station (Rodoviária).

There are plenty of taxis. They can be pricey, if compared to other towns, but they are also an easier, safer and more dependable option than buses in some cases. To ride a cab, one can walk to the nearest "taxi stop" (usually in crowded areas or points of interest), wave for an empty passing cab or call a tele-táxi service. Tele-táxi may charge extra for this service. The price of the fare is determined by a machine called taxímetro, usually in front of the passenger seat. There is always a minimum price, which is shown when the machine is reset for the trip, which is, as of 2011, R$3.50. Next to the value, there is a "flag" indicator that shows the level of price being paid, always according to the service. Usually there is a table inside of the cab explaining each level of service. It is recommended to check if the correct level is being charged at the beginning of the trip, in order to avoid problems when you reach your destination.

By car

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Although Porto Alegre's public transport system is of good quality, renting a car can be a good option if you are traveling with a partner or prefer to explore places further away from the city. There are numerous car rental companies in Porto Alegre, the majors being Localiza, Movida and Unidas. Vehicle prices, rental periods, vehicle pick-up and drop-off locations, and reservations can be made easily and well in advance on the internet.

It is important to note that traffic in Porto Alegre tends to be slow and congested at peak times, in the early morning and late afternoon/early evening, especially on large avenues such as Avenida Zaida Jarros, which connects the airport to BR- 290, Avenida Assis Brasil and Avenida Farrapos, in the North Zone and Avenida Ipiranga and Avenida Bento Gonçalves, in the Southeast Zone. Parking can also be difficult to find in Porto Alegre, especially in the Historic District.

On foot

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Walking around is a reasonable idea only inside a given neighborhood or downtown, as opposed to from one neighborhood to another, as they are usually too far apart. Walking during the night in most parts of the city is outright dangerous. During the day, it is recommended to pay attention to your belongings at all times, due to activity of pickpockets and other thieves. Pedestrian crossings, most of the time, are completely ignored by the vast majority of drivers; never rely on them without looking or making sure the driver will stop. It is also not recommended to cross the street outside the proper crossing areas in traffic jams: motorbike riders usually split between stopped cars, causing a great risk to pedestrians.

By e-hailing

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The main e-hailing platforms in Porto Alegre are Uber and 99. Both offer cheaper rides than taxis and are very popular with locals in Porto Alegre.

Linha Turismo is a tourist bus line that rides through 11 neighbourhoods and shows the main attractions of the city (parks, trees, statues, hospitals, churches, etc.), with audio guides in three languages. The trip is 28 km (17 mi) long and lasts for about 1 hr 20 min, and the arrival is at the same departure address. From Tuesdays to Sundays (holidays included), at 09:00, 10:30, 13:30, 15:00 and 16:30 (winter) or 10:30, 13:30, 15:00, 16:30 and 18:00 (summer). The tickets cost R$30 for a normal fare and R$15 for the student (Foreigners need to have an International Student Identity Card) . Travessa do Carmo Street 84, phones +55 51 3213-3464 and +55 51 3212-1628:

  • Monument to the Azoreans (Monumento aos Açorianos), Avenida Loureiro da Silva, 1155 (3 km/1.86 mi from Historic District; bus lines C1 and C2). It is a 17-m-high monument in the memory of the people from the island of Azores, who were the first to settle in Porto Alegre. Free. Monument to the Azoreans on Wikipedia 
  • Usina do Gasômetro, Largo do Trabalho, 46 (1.7 km/1.06 mi from Mercado Trensurb Station). It is an old powerplant built in 1928 which was refurnished and now hosts movie theaters and art expositions. During the sunset, lots of people get together in front of the Usina to watch the sun diving into Lake Guaíba. 

Museums and art

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Fundação Iberê Camargo
  • 1 Iberê Camargo Foundation (Fundação Iberê Camargo), Av. Padre Cacique, 2000 (Bus line 176), ☏ +55 51 3247-8000, . Tu-Su 12:00-19:00; Th until 21:00. Free. (updated May 2019) Contemporary art museum in a building by Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza.
  • 2 MARGS (Rio Grande do Sul Arts Museum), Praça da Alfândega, Downtown (downtown), ☏ +55 51 3227-2311, fax: +55 51 3221-2646, . Tu-Su 10:00-19:00. The local museum of art. There's a permanent collection and an area that is often receiving new exhibitions. There's also a bistro and a store that sells art books and souvenirs. Free. (updated May 2019)
  • 3 Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia da PUCRS (Museum of Science and Technology of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul), Av. Ipiranga 6681, Building #40 (Bus lines 476, 343 or 353), ☏ +55 51 3320-3597 (in Portuguese). Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. R$40 (R$20 for children under 12, seniors, university students and professors). (updated Apr 2022)
  • Casa de Cultura Mario Quintana, Rua dos Andradas, 736. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. R$40 (R$20 for children under 12, seniors, university students and professors). (updated Apr 2022)
  • Museu Julio de Castilhos, Duque de Caxias, 1205 /1231, ☏ +55 51 3221-3959. 

Parks

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Moinhos de Vento Park.
  • Parque Moinhos de Vento (Moinhos de Vento Park) - Known by locals as Parcão, this is a pleasant park with a neat lake and jogging runways.
  • Parque Farroupilha (Farroupilha Park) - Known by locals as Redenção (Redemption), where is found the Araujo Viana Auditorium, which has hosted several political acts and music concerts. Also on Sundays, an antique fair happens in a side street and is called by locals as Brique da Redenção.
  • Parque Marinha do Brasil (Brazilian Navy Park) - Known simply as Marinha, a linear park with a skateboarding rink, several sports and public fitness amenities, and also several modern art sculptures from Mercosur artists. Good for a bit of nature during the day. Popular on weekend late afternoons.
  • Parque Maurício Sirotsky Sobrinho - Known by locals as Parque da Harmonia (Harmony Park), home of the yearly Acampamento Farroupilha (Farroupilha Camp), a three week long regionalist event in September to celebrate the Ragamuffin War and display the gaúcho culture. It is usually empty however. Some people visit the site on weekends.
  • Parque Germânia (Germânia Park) - situated near Iguatemi Shopping at the core of the affluent East zone (Zona Leste), differs from others by having little tree cover and by closing at night. It does have some sports amenities though. Popular with locals on weekend afternoons. The park is named as a dedication to German immigrants. The park opens everyday, from 06:00 to 18:30.

Churches

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  • 4 Metropolitan Cathedral of Porto Alegre (Catedral Metropolitana de Porto Alegre), Rua Duque de Caxias, 1047 (1 km/0.62 mi from Mercado Trensurb Station), ☏ +55 51 32286001, . M 09:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00; Tu-F 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-11:30 and 15:00-19:00; Su 09:00-12:00 and 16:00-19:30. Historic cathedral built between 1921 and 1972, this impressive Baroque-style church built from granite stones features two bell towers and a spectacular 65-metre-high dome in its nave. The church also features mosaic murals depicting biblical scenes. Free. Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady Mother of God, Porto Alegre (Q18482311) on Wikidata Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady Mother of God, Porto Alegre on Wikipedia (updated Dec 2022)
  • 5 Sanctuary of Mother of God (Santuário Nossa Senhora Mãe de Deus), Rua do Santuário 400, Belém Velho (accessible from Avenida Professor Oscar Pereira or by bus line 253), ☏ +55 51 33184627. Th-M 09:00-17:00. A beautiful church almost unknown by most porto-alegrenses. It is placed in a great location, with nice views of Porto Alegre and nearby cities landscapes. Built in 1992, this church is at the top of a hill with 283 meters (928 feet) of altitude, with a modern architecture and engineering, designed to support the strong winds of the location. It is somewhat difficult to get to this place, because a cab ride from downtown would be pricey. However, if you rent a car in Porto Alegre, it's worth trying. Free. Santuário Nossa Senhora Mãe de Deus (Q4780780) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2022)
  • 6 Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows (Basílica Menor de Nossa Senhora das Dores), Rua dos Andradas, 587 (600 m/0.4 mi from Usina do Gasômetro; 1.3 km/0.8 mi from Mercado Trensurb Station), ☏ +55 51 32287376. Tu-Su 09:00-12:00 and 13:30-18:30. The oldest church in the city, it was built in 1807 and finished in 1904. It has an eclectic style, with an interior decorated in gilded woodcarving, with an altar that has numerous works of baroque sacred art. The church has undergone periodic restorations and in 2022, it received the status of a minor basilica. Free. (updated Dec 2022)
  • Watch the sunset over Lake Guaíba. Porto Alegre has a beautiful sunset over Lake Guaíba. Best enjoyed on the waterfront, in places like the Historic Center (near Usina do Gasômetro) and Ipanema. This event only lasts about five minutes. During winter (around July) it is recommended to take additional clothes, as the wind can be very strong.
  • Climb aboard the Cisne Branco boat. The Cisne Branco Boat offers a boat trip where you can enjoy the sunset over Lake Guaíba. The boat trip lasts an hour and a half and leaves at 17:30 from Cais do Porto and sails to the South Zone, accompanied by live Brazilian music.

Sports

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  • Watch a soccer game. Porto Alegre has two major local football teams: Grêmio and Internacional. Grêmio plays its matches at the Arena do Grêmio, in the North Zone, while Internacional plays its matches at the Beira-Rio Stadium, located on the banks of Lake Guaíba. Both Grêmio and Internacional (known together as Gre-Nal) are the two biggest soccer teams in Rio Grande do Sul and are among the biggest soccer teams in Brazil, with a strong rivalry in Rio Grande do Sul soccer background. Another smaller club that also plays in Porto Alegre is São José, which plays its matches at the Passo d'Areia Stadium, in the North Zone, and competes in the state soccer league (Gauchão) and in the third division of the Brazilian national soccer league.

Events and festivals

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  • In September, watch a play at Porto Alegre em Cena, one of the most important theater festivals in Brazil, with several theater plays being performed around the city.
  • In September, visit the Acampamento Farroupilha (Farroupilha Camp) and join the Semana Farroupilha (Farroupilha Week), a great festival of Gaucho culture, held every year at the Parque da Harmonia. Every year, Gauchos (South-American cowboys) come from all over Rio Grande do Sul and build a temporary complex of old wooden houses (locally called piquetes) to commemorate the Raggamuffin War and celebrate the traditional culture of the state. Come and experience the food, music, dance, and culture of southern Brazil's interior. If you're in Porto Alegre during this time, you definitely shouldn't miss it.
  • Feira do Livro de Porto Alegre (Porto Alegre Book Fair). Held every year in November, thousands of publishers sell their books at Praça da Alfândega, in the Historic District. It is possible to find books at cheap prices at the fair. At the fair, autograph sessions are also held with local and national writers, as well as plays, storytelling for children and musical performances.

Learn

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UFRGS (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul) is the largest public university in the state. UFRGS has its own entrance exam (Vestibular), held between December and January and is one of the ways of admission to the university along with ENEM (the national admission exam). The UFRGS Vestibular is the most competitive in Rio Grande do Sul and one of the most competitive exams in Brazil. PUCRS (Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul) is private and also an important learning centre. Both have exchange programmes with foreign universities and institutions in many countries of the world.

Central Market

The main central shopping area in Porto Alegre is the Historic District, especially around the crowded Avenida Voluntários da Pátria. The main popular on the avenue is the POP Center, a mall located in a building that has more than 800 stores where you can find many items, such as clothing, electronics and accessories at cheap prices. Another important place of commerce in the area is Galeria Chaves. Located between Rua dos Andradas and Rua José Montaury, it is the oldest and most traditional commercial spot in Porto Alegre, with six floors of shops and restaurants and impressive historical architecture.

Another important place of popular commerce is the Central Public Market, built in 1869 and reformed several times. It has more than 100 stalls selling a wide variety of products and local crafts, as well as several restaurants.

The Avenida Voluntários da Pátria is the central shopping area of Porto Alegre.

If you are interested in local handcrafts, your best bet might be Brique da Redenção, a large flea market near Parque da Redenção with lots of authentic gaucho art, handicrafts, furniture and handmade pieces. It takes place on Sundays, during the day, next to Parque da Redenção.

Shopping malls

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Shopping centers are scattered throughout Porto Alegre and are great options, not only for shopping, but also for leisure and entertainment. The vast majority of malls are located in the north of Porto Alegre or close to the Guaíba waterfront, although there are also smaller malls in other regions of the city.

The main malls in Porto Alegre are Bourbon Shopping Wallig (which has IMAX cinema rooms and is located on an important street in the north of Porto Alegre), Iguatemi Shopping (the largest mall in Porto Alegre, with high-end stores), Bourbon Shopping Country (located across the street from Iguatemi, it is the only mall in Porto Alegre that has a theatre), Shopping Total (built in an old inactive beer factory), BarraShoppingSul (with an excellent view of the sunset on the shores of Lake Guaíba) and Praia de Belas Shopping (located a few metres from Guaíba Waterfront).

Budget

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  • 1 Lancheria do Parque, Avenida Osvaldo Aranha, 1086 (Bairro Bom Fim, across from the Parque Redençao), ☏ +55 51 3311-8321. 06:00-00:00. Has possibly the best cheap eats in Porto Alegre. Lunch is a very good buffet where the offerings are always fresh and tasty. The menu offers incredible fresh juices and vitaminas and they are big. Sandwiches include the traditional Bauru: steak or chicken with egg, cheese, lettuce and tomato on a special bun (meal size). X~s with excellent ingredients. Plates: steaks mostly. A great chicken soup. Risotto. Everything is good, much better than most lancherias. Despite what your Brazilian friends might say, the staff does appreciate a 10% tip, even though they rarely receive it. For the great service you will receive they will certainly deserve it! (updated Mar 2023)
  • 2 Reçaka Bar, José do Patrocínio, 531 (lunch time) or 495 (dinner time) (Cidade Baixa), ☏ +55 51 3072-3249. Steaks, fillets, fries, salads and whatever you ask them to prepare. (updated Mar 2023)
  • 3 Tudo Pelo Social, Rua João Alfredo 448, Cidade Baixa, ☏ +55 51 3226-4405. Serves simple dishes, such as beef and fries, but the quality is awesome and the prices are unbelievable. Buffet self-service on lunch hour. Expect lines during lunch and dinner time (updated Mar 2023)
  • 4 Speed Lanches, R. Gen. Lima e Silva, 427 - Cidade Baixa. Typical sandwich of Porto Alegre; it's a cheap option. (updated Mar 2023).

Mid-range

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  • 5 Churrascaria Giovanaz, Venâncio Aires. An inexpensive churrascaria in the Cidade Baixa. You can eat as much meat (and side dishes) as you like. R$60-80. (updated Mar 2023)
  • 6 Bar do Beto, R. Sarmento Leite, 811 - Cidade Baixa. Delicious options including typical Italian plates such as Fillet à parmeggiana (bovine meat covered with tomato sauce, cheese and ham). You can also ask for snacks or sandwiches. (updated Mar 2023)
  • 7 Espaço Veganista, R. Vasco da Gama, 52 - Bom Fim, ☏ +55 51 3557-7710, . Vegan buffet. R$26. (updated Mar 2023)
  • 8 Agridoce, Rua Sarmento Leite 1024, ☏ +55 51 3392 7746, . Tu–Su 12:00–22:00. Café with a strong antique, slightly quirky atmosphere and almost Alice-in-Wonderland decorations, with old chairs and curtains, dishes and suitcases adorning some of the walls, upside-down lamps on the ceiling of one room and old-fashioned keys on the menu. Tea, quiches, sandwiches, desserts, and other food, including good vegan options. R$30-50. (updated Mar 2023)

Splurge

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  • 9 NB Steak Ramiro Barcelos, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 389 - Floresta, ☏ +55 51 3225-2205. Typical gaúcho barbecue, serves all kinds of meat - cow, chicken, pork, sheep and wild boar. Has also a good-quality salad buffet and wines. R$200+. (updated Mar 2023)

Drink

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Porto Alegre's nightlife is basically divided onto three regions: Cidade Baixa, Moinhos de Vento and the Fourth District (Quarto Distrito). Although, several pubs and clubs are located throughout the city.

Cidade Baixa

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Cidade Baixa is an old neighborhood, filled with historical buildings and oldfashioned mansions. Most of the popular and cheap bars are located in Lima e Silva Street; they are the traditional xis (cheeseburgers) places, such as Speed and Cavanhas. In República Street, pubs and bars are fancier and more expensive too. Inside the old mansions of João Alfredo Street, several dance clubs party every night. The places are perfect to dance Brazilian popular music (called MPB) and samba.

  • Bar Opinião, Rua José do Patrocínio, 834 (4.2 km/2.6 mi from Historic District; bus lines 397 or 346). Since 1983, the Bar Opinião is a reference in the port-alegrense nightlife. With its newly extended physical space, the house can receive up to 2,300 people. The bar has had major improvements and offers a more comfortable structure now. In its menu, different drinks and tidbits. 

Moinhos de Vento

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Moinhos de Vento is one of the richest neighborhoods in town. Its bars and clubs are more likely to be fashionable. Expect bars to be pricey. Along Padre Chagas Street you can find typical Irish pubs and cafes.

Fourth District

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Fourth District (Quarto Distrito) is a region in the North Zone of Porto Alegre that covers the neighborhoods Floresta, Navegantes, Humaitá, Farrapos and São Geraldo. The place is a region that has been revitalized in the early 2020s and is home to several bars, pubs and breweries.

  • Agulha, Rua Conselheiro Camargo, 300 - São Geraldo, ☏ +55 51 99750-7997. A pub located in an old renovated warehouse. It has retro decor and live music. (updated Oct 2023)
  • Distrito Cervejaria, Rua Moura Azevedo, 237 - São Geraldo, ☏ +55 51 2312-7373. A brewery that offers a variety of craft beers. It features live music performances of blues, rock and samba and also serves pizzas. (updated Oct 2023)
  • Jardim São Geraldo, Rua Moura Azevedo, 182 - São Geraldo, ☏ +55 51 3508-6456. Is a pub with a colorful decor inspired by the tale of Alice in Wonderland, with live music. (updated Oct 2023)
  • 4Beer, Av. Polônia, 200 - São Geraldo, ☏ +55 51 3574-6466. A brewery that serves a variety of beers and draft beers, as well as burgers and snacks. (updated Oct 2023)

Elsewhere

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Other options are:

  • Bar Ocidente, Av. Osvaldo Aranha, 960 (about 1.5 km/0.93 mi from Cidade Baixa; bus lines 476, 433, 436 or 441). Works as a regular restaurant. From night on, Ocidente is one of the trendiest alternative nightclubs in Porto Alegre. On Friday nights, parties aimed at the LGBT public. 
  • Shamrock Irish Pub, Rua Vieira de Castro, 32. Open Tu-Su at 18:00 (on Saturdays at 19:00). Typical Irish pub, 1 km from Cidade Baixa area. 
  • Bar do Beto, Venâncio Aires Avenue, 876. Open every day from 17:00 to 03:00. The beer is always really cold, there is a good variety of dishes and snacks and the food is always delicious. It's a good place to flirt too. 
  • Manara, Av. Goethe, 200. The place has different environments and gathers a varied public. On the first floor, a bar and a dancefloor. A stage for shows is also available. On the mezzanine, some tables and chairs to make the attendance feel comfortable. The Sundays are specially agitated. The band Maria Bonita puts the public to dance to the sound of 'forró' music. Offers private parking lot. 
  • República de Madras, Shopping Total, Av. Cristóvão Colombo, 545. Inspired by the Indian culture, specially on the old city of Madras, the club has four floors and an outside terrace. On Thursdays, some of the top DJs in town usually play there. Friday and Saturday, the club offers pop music and pagode.
  • John Bull Pub, Shopping Total, Av. Cristóvão Colombo, 545. The place has a stage for shows where usually rock and roll cover bands perform.
  • Bar do Nito, Lucas de Oliveira, 105, ☏ +55 3333-6221. The owner plays every night old songs from Brazilian Popular Music (MPB). Every 29th day of the month you could enjoy the excellent and traditional nhoque. 
  • Lagom Brewpub, Rua Bento Figueiredo, 72 is Porto Alegre's first artisanal brew pub. Expect much stronger and more flavorful beers than the standard Pilsner. Popular with locals and beer aficionados alike. Barrio Bom Fim, but close to Moinhos de Vento.

Sleep

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A Mercure Hotel in Porto Alegre.

Budget

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Mid-range

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Splurge

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Connect

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The area code for Porto Alegre is 51.

For national calls, press 0 + operator code + area code (DDD) + telephone number. For national cover calls, press 90 + operator code + area code (DDD) + telephone number. For international calls, press 00 + operator code + country code (in Brazil, the country code is +55) + city code + telephone number.

The entire city is covered by mobile internet using 4G technology by operators Vivo, Tim and Claro. Recharging cards for these operators can be found in a variety of places like supermarkets, pharmacies and eletronics stores. Porto Alegre is the first capital to start introducing 5G technology in some neighborhoods. 5G signal coverage will be gradually increased by operators until 2025, as per user demand.

Stay safe

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Porto Alegre has greatly reduced rates of violent crime, and the city has become safer than it was before, including in some poor neighborhoods, such as Mario Quintana, Bom Jesus, Santa Tereza, and Lomba do Pinheiro. In 2021, the homicide rate in Porto Alegre was 16.6 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, much lower than in 2018, which was 45.5 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. However, it is still recommended to use common sense and take the usual safety precautions.

  • Avoid going through neighborhoods such as Restinga, which may still present some violence and watch out for pickpockets in the Historic District. Also avoid showing valuables, such as cell phones and expensive jewelry.
  • Avoid walking in dark, deserted and poorly lit areas at night, which includes many parts of the Historic Distric such as the Avenida Voluntários da Pátria, the region close to UFRGS Central Campus and Rua Sarmento Leite, the Conceição Tunnel and under the Conceição Viaduct and Marechal Floriano Peixoto and Riachuelo streets.
  • Avoid going through parks at night, as they are dark, poorly lit, deserted and can harbor drug addicts.

All safety recommendations that apply to any major city in general also apply to Porto Alegre:

  • Don't trust strangers, especially those who seem excessively helpful;
  • Always prefer the help of an identified officer or employee to that of a stranger;
  • Watch your belongings all the time in crowded streets or public transportation;
  • Avoid withdrawing and carrying large amounts of money;
  • Avoid using expensive clothes and jewelry that make you stand out.

Most residential neighborhoods and upper-class neighborhoods (such as Moinhos de Vento, Bela Vista and Higienópolis) are reasonably safe.

Stay healthy

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Lake Guaíba is polluted by sewage and industrial effluents. Occasionally, some more secluded spots may be temporarily suitable for bathing. Since 2021, the city's Water and Sewerage Department (DMAE) regularly publishes a bathing report (in Portuguese, relatório de balneabilidade).

Cope

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In Porto Alegre, the electric power voltage is 127 V, unlike the rest of the cities in Rio Grande do Sul, where the voltage is 220 V. It is common for electrical equipment sold in Porto Alegre to be bi-volt, however, always check carefully.

If you need immediate help, the emergency numbers are 190 for police, 192 for paramedics or 193 for firefighters.

Consulates

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Go next

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Gramado is a German-themed tourist city in the Serra Gaúcha that is about 105km from Porto Alegre (under 2 hours by car, although you may spend more time driving through the beautiful cities of the Rota Romântica or Romantic Route).
Aparados da Serra National Park.
The São Miguel das Missões historic 18th century Jesuit mission is just under 500km from Porto Alegre (a little over 7 hours by car).
  • Parque Nacional dos Aparados da Serra (Monkey Canyons)- 120 miles from Porto Alegre going on BR101 by Praia Grande/SC or RS-020 by Cambará. Thousands of square miles of exuberant nature teeming with life. Miles of escarpments, innumerable waterfalls, rushing streams in an area absolutely undisturbed by human intervention--comprising not only tropical forest zones, but also the coastal, high plateau. And the coast--visible from the canyon’s rim. The unforgettable landscape is the result of immense volcanic eruptions more than 130 million years ago. For travel information, contact the RS Tourist Bureau ☏ +1 925-270-4190 (U.S.)
  • São Miguel das Missões - Near the border with Argentina, has a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site
  • Gramado - a German-themed tourist city in the Serra Gaúcha. This is a great city to visit during Christmas (November through early January).
  • Caminhos de Pedra in Bento Gonçalves and Caxias do Sul - Visit original houses of Italian immigrants in the region along this road. Many of the homes have been converted into restaurants and stores selling wine, grape juice, other products derived from grapes and arts and crafts from the Serra Gaúcha region.
Routes through Porto Alegre
Pelotas ← Guaíba ←  S  N  → Canoas → Caxias do Sul
Uruguaiana ← Eldorado do Sul ←  E  W  → Gravataí → Osório
Start of Road ←  E  W  → Viamão → Balneário Pinhal
Start of Road ←  S  N  → Taquara → São Francisco de Paula
Start of Road ←  S  N  → Canoas → Sapucaia do Sul


This city travel guide to Porto Alegre is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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