Embu das Artes
Embu das Artes, Southeast Brazil
Embu das Artes—also known as Embu—is a small, colonial town in São Paulo State, which was founded as a Jesuit settlement in 1554. Renowned for its heritage architecture, the town is also a thriving arts center, home to art galleries, artists’ studios, antique stores, and an ever-popular weekend arts and crafts fair.
The basics
With its colorful buildings, walkable streets, and artistic ambiance, it’s little wonder that Embu das Artes is one of the São Paulo area’s most popular weekend getaways. Locals and tourists come to explore historic monuments and museums (like the Jesuit Museum of Sacred Art and the adjacent Our Lady of the Rosary Parish), and wander its Instagram-friendly Viela das Lavadeiras, a narrow alley known for its vibrant murals. But primarily, they come for Embu’s famed weekend arts and crafts fair, held in the Praça das Artes. Along with browsing the collections of dozens of vendors, selling goods ranging from paintings and furniture to jewelry and sculptures, visitors can break for a meal and a drink in one of the town’s quaint cafés or lively bars.
Embu das Artes is close enough to São Paulo to make it convenient for a day trip. It also features on several sightseeing itineraries, including private half-day excursions.
Things to know before you go
For those looking to taste cachaça—Brazil’s national spirit, distilled from sugarcane—Embu is home to several specialist bars and tasting rooms.
Be aware that Embu isn’t known for bargains—since the market attracts tourists, prices can be steep.
Much of the historic center is pedestrianized, and best explored on foot; weekend crowds can make it difficult for wheelchair users to navigate the area, however.
How to get there
Embu das Artes is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southwest of downtown São Paulo. If traveling by car, take BR-116. If using public transportation, take the São Paulo Metrô line 4 from República to Vila Sônia-Professora Elisabeth Tenreiro and transfer to bus line 032; the trip takes about 2 hours.
When to get there
Weekends, during the art fair, are by far the busiest time in Embu das Artes, and Sundays can be particularly hectic. While the market itself is held from late morning until late afternoon, it’s worth arriving early to beat the crowds.
Cotia and Itapecerica da Serra
Embu das Artes isn’t the only charming town outside São Paulo. If you want to plan another day trip from the city, nearby options include Cotia—known for its Buddhist temple, Fo Guang Shan Temple Zu Lai, as well as a wealth of shops and restaurants—and Itapecerica da Serra, popular for nature escapes.
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