Its parks and pioneering urban planning — Curitiba was one of the first Brazilian cities to build a dedicated bus rapid transit network, and green space like Jardim Botânico and Parque Barigui shapes daily life here.
Discover Local Curitiba: What to Do Around Mercure Curitiba
At Mercure, we believe you shouldn't need a guidebook to feel like you belong somewhere. That's the idea behind Discover Local: since 1973, every Mercure hotel has been built around its neighbourhood, not just dropped into it — from the décor on the walls to the flavours on the menu. Step into any Mercure and our teams are on hand with the kind of tips you won't find in a guidebook: the market stall locals queue for, the bar where nobody speaks English, the walk that skips the crowds. They live here. They know. Discover Local isn't a generic city guide — it's a short, honest list of the restaurants, markets and neighbourhoods our own hotel teams actually recommend to guests, updated as the city changes around us. Below, you'll find our picks for Curitiba, an interactive map to help you find your way, and answers to the questions travellers ask us most. So — where will Discover Local take you?
Curitiba in 5 picks
Jardim Botânico de Curitiba
Start here: geometric French-style gardens leading up to a glass greenhouse modeled on London's Crystal Palace. It's free, open until 7:30pm, and the symmetry makes it one of the most photographed corners of the city. Duck into the Botanical Museum inside for a quieter look at native species.
Ópera de Arame
A wire opera house built from tubular steel over the water of a disused quarry — you don't need a ticket to admire the structure from outside. The acoustics inside are genuinely renowned, so check if there's a show on. Come at golden hour and the lake does half the work for you.
Largo da Ordem Sunday Fair
Every Sunday from 9am to 2pm, Curitiba's colonial-era square fills with one of the biggest antiques and handicrafts fairs in southern Brazil. Wander past 18th-century mansions and old churches while you browse. Free entry, and it's the best way to see the historic center actually being used.
Museu Oscar Niemeyer
Locals just call it "Museu do Olho" — the eye-shaped annex is the giveaway. Niemeyer's building is as much the draw as the contemporary art inside. Give yourself at least an hour; the exhibitions rotate more often than you'd expect from a regional museum.
Rua 24 Horas
A short covered street in the center that never really closes — restaurants, bars and shops running around the clock under a glass roof. It's not fancy, but it's useful: late arrival, early flight, random craving at 2am, this is where Curitibanos go. Good spot for a quick coxinha before bed.
FAQ
Barreado, the slow-cooked beef stew served with rice and banana, is the dish most associated with the region — look for it on menus near the historic center.
Yes — the city's BRT-style bus network is well developed and central neighborhoods like Batel and the historic center are walkable in their own right.
Where to sleep
See Mercure hotels in Curitiba, all within reach of these picks.