The city's growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was driven by coffee plantations, a history the Museu do Café documents in detail.
Discover Authentic Ribeirão Preto: A Local Travel Guide by Mercure
Ask the right person in Ribeirão Preto and you'll skip the tourist traps. Recommended by the team at Mercure Ribeirão Preto. That's exactly what this page offers: honest picks for restaurants, markets and neighbourhoods, an interactive map, and answers to the questions guests ask before they book.
Our map pins local favourites such as Parque Curupira, the House of Italian Memory and Palacete 1922, alongside our Mercure hotel.
Top 5 Things to Do in Ribeirão Preto
Theatro Pedro II
Brazil's third-largest opera house, reopened in 1996 after 16 years closed following a fire. Look up in the auditorium for the dome painted by artist Tomie Ohtake, and the teardrop crystal chandelier overhead.
Museu do Café
Ribeirão Preto grew rich on coffee, and this museum tells that story through the region's coffee cycle - interactive exhibits trace the bean from plantation to cup.
Choperia Pinguim
A downtown institution locals claim pours the best chopp (draft beer) in Brazil. Order a filé à parmegiana alongside it - the dish the city is quietly famous for.
Jardim Japonês
A pocket of calm gardens and koi ponds in the middle of the city, good for slowing down between museum stops.
Catedral Metropolitana
Dedicated to São Sebastião, the cathedral mixes neoclassical and gothic lines - worth a look even if you're not usually one for church architecture.
Explore Ribeirão Preto's Best Local Spots with Our Interactive Map
What's on the map in Ribeirão Preto
We've mapped local spots around Ribeirão Preto, from quarry parks to Italian heritage.
Parks
Parque Curupira
Officially Parque Prefeito Luiz Roberto Jábali, a former basalt quarry turned urban park. Shady trails, five lakes, turtles, hummingbirds – and open-air shows.
Ribeirão Preto · Urban park · Perfect for a relaxing walk
Parque Ecológico Luis Carlos Raya
Another former quarry, now walking circuits, little waterfalls over the rocks and koi ponds. Lovely at sunset – bring a picnic.
Ribeirão Preto · Park · Ideal for picnics
Museums & dining
Municipal WWII Museum
A small, well-curated museum on Brazil's role in the Second World War, through uniforms, medals and letters. The guides' local stories make it.
Ribeirão Preto · Museum · Made for history buffs
House of Italian Memory
A preserved mansion telling the story of the Italian families who shaped Ribeirão Preto from the late 19th century – antiques, photos, handwritten recipes. Book ahead.
Ribeirão Preto · Heritage house · Perfect for family history
Museu de Arte de Ribeirão Preto (MARP)
Modern and contemporary works by local and national artists in a historic building, with workshops and talks. Admission is free.
City centre · Art museum, free entry · Great for art lovers
Palacete 1922
Dinner in a restored 1922 neocolonial mansion, among period furniture and tiles. Modern Brazilian cooking with São Paulo state produce, homemade pasta and herbs from the garden.
Ribeirão Preto · Restaurant · Ideal for a special dinner
Mercadão Central
A historic indoor market dating back to 1900. Cheese, pão de queijo, spices and local coffee – stock up.
Centre · Market · Perfect for local food
Rancho do Juca
A buffet of more than 300 dishes inspired by gaucho culture and wood-fired cooking. Pace yourself.
Restaurant · Made for big appetites
Hecho Cozinha dos Mares
A cosy seafood restaurant with Mediterranean and French touches.
Restaurant · Great for seafood
Praça José Mortari craft fair
Once a month on a Sunday morning: local crafts, live music and storytelling.
Craft market · Perfect for souvenirs
Praça Sete de Setembro craft fair
On Saturdays, local artists sell paintings, pottery and upcycled crafts. Stop and chat.
Craft market · Ideal for meeting makers
FAQ
Filé à parmegiana - Ribeirão Preto is known for it, and you'll find versions at most traditional restaurants downtown.
It's a well-connected residential and dining area, with the historic center and Theatro Pedro II a short drive away.
Parque Curupira and Parque Luis Carlos Raya are both former basalt quarries turned green spaces, with lakes, trails and waterfalls.
Yes. MARP, the Museu de Arte de Ribeirão Preto, has free admission.
The House of Italian Memory tells the story of Italian families in the city. Book your visit in advance.
Where to Sleep in Ribeirão Preto
This Mercure hotel appears on our map:
- Mercure Ribeirão Preto