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.
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
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.
Where to Sleep in Ribeirão Preto
See Mercure hotels in Ribeirão Preto, all within reach of these picks.