Modernist capital designed from scratch
Brasilia is Brazil's planned capital, built on the central plateau in just a few years and laid out in the shape of an airplane. It is a living museum of modernist architecture, with Oscar Niemeyer's cathedral, palaces and Congress lined up along the Monumental Axis. Architecture fans and history lovers will enjoy it most; the city is spread out and best explored by car or ride app.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
Niemeyer's crown-shaped cathedral, with curved concrete columns and a glowing stained-glass roof. It is the city's most recognisable building.
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The square where the Congress, the Supreme Court and the Planalto Palace face each other. It holds monuments and a small museum about the city.
Public square.
Twin towers and two bowls house the Senate and Chamber of Deputies. Guided visits show the chambers and art.
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The Foreign Ministry, a graceful arched building surrounded by water gardens. Its interior has notable modern art.
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A tower with a free viewing deck that shows the city's airplane layout. A craft fair runs at its base at weekends.
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A museum and mausoleum for President Juscelino Kubitschek, the founder of Brasilia. It tells the story of the city's construction.
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A church walled with blue stained glass that bathes the interior in light. It is one of the most beautiful spaces in the city.
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A bridge with three steel arches crossing Lake Paranoa. It is a modern landmark and a fine sunset view.
Free to view.
A huge city park with paths for walking, running and cycling. It shows daily life away from the monuments.
Free entry.
A national park of canyons, waterfalls and cerrado on a high plateau. It is a UNESCO-listed natural area.
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Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Day one on the Esplanada, day two memorials and the TV Tower, day three the lake and Dom Bosco sanctuary.
Colonial town with waterfalls nearby.
93 mi · Car, about 2 hours each way
Natural pools and cerrado trails close to the city.
6 mi · Ride app, about 20 minutes
National park with waterfalls and canyons; best as an overnight.
143 mi · Car, about 3h30
Best: May to September. The dry season brings clear blue skies, though air can be very dry.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
April 21
The city's founding day, a local holiday with events.
September 7
National parade along the Esplanada dos Ministerios.
Usually in the second half of the year
A long running Brazilian film festival; confirm dates each year.
US State Department advice for Brazil is Level 2 (exercise increased caution) for crime; its advisory restricts staff travel at night to several outlying administrative regions, which visitors rarely need to visit; the central Plano Piloto is calmer.
The city was designed for cars, with long distances and wide roads between the sights.
A metro line and buses serve the Plano Piloto and suburbs, but ride apps are easier for sightseeing.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: first-timers, business
Hotel sectors close to the Monumental Axis and TV Tower.
Best for: food lovers, budget
Residential superblocks with local restaurants.
Best for: couples, luxury
Lakeside area with upscale hotels and restaurants.
Best for: budget, nightlife
Student friendly area with bars and many restaurants, close to the university.
| Main airport | Brasilia International Airport (Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek) (BSB), 7 mi from the center |
| To the center | Taxi or ride app to the hotel sectors is the simplest; buses also run to the center. |
| Around town | Ride apps are the easiest way to hop between the Esplanada sights, the lake and the TV Tower. |
| Ride apps | Uber, 99 |
Crisp fried pastries from markets and the bus station.
A strong-flavoured fruit of the cerrado used in rice and chicken.
Chicken and rice, often with pequi.
Cheese bread, eaten at any time.
A corn based sweet or savory treat sold at roadside stalls.
Black bean stew, often served on Saturdays.
| Plugs | Type C and N; Brazil uses 127 V or 220 V depending on the city, so check the local voltage before plugging in |
| Tap water | Use bottled water |
| Tipping | Restaurants usually add a 10 percent service charge to the bill, and extra tipping is optional. |
| Payments | Cards and Pix instant payments are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for street vendors and small kiosks. |
| Etiquette | Brazilians greet warmly, often with a handshake or a kiss on the cheek among friends; dress is casual, but cover up a little away from the beach. |
Moving the capital inland had been discussed since the 1800s, but it was President Juscelino Kubitschek who built it, inaugurating Brasilia on April 21, 1960. Urban planner Lucio Costa drew the pilot plan and Oscar Niemeyer designed the main buildings. The city was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It has grown far beyond the original plan into a large metropolitan area.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.