Skip to content
Compare destinations

Which is better: São João del-Rei or São Paulo?

Short answer

São João del-Rei is in the Historic Cities of Minas Gerais (MG), while São Paulo is in the state of the same name (SP): different regions of Brazil. São João del-Rei: Aleijadinho's Baroque, a century-old steam train and the hometown of Tancredo Neves, in a historic city that still goes about its everyday life, with a real university and real shops; São Paulo: museums, parks and one of the most diverse cuisines in the world in a metropolis that never slows down. For this month's weather, São João del-Rei has the edge. The two are about 471 km (293 mi) apart, 5h30 by car; you can combine them in a single trip.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in São PauloSão Paulo Complete Tour★ 9.4 · 177 reviews · from US$ 77 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
São João del-Rei São Paulo
Best time to visit May → Sep May → Sep
Weather this month 27° · 9 days of rain 27° · 10 days of rain
By car R$ 280 · from São Paulo R$ 306 · from Rio de Janeiro
Ideal stay 1–2 days 3–5 days
Best for Family, Romantic, Food Food, Family, Romantic
Choose São João del-Rei if

you want a trip for families and couples: Aleijadinho's Baroque, a century-old steam train and the hometown of Tancredo Neves, in a historic city that still goes about its everyday life, with a real university and real shops.

See guide
Choose São Paulo if

you want a trip for food lovers and families: museums, parks and one of the most diverse cuisines in the world in a metropolis that never slows down.

See guide
Comparison tool
Compare São João del-Rei and São Paulo with any other destination
Build your own side-by-side table with up to 3 destinations.
Open the comparison tool
Where to stay

Where to stay: São João del-Rei or São Paulo

The average nightly rate is around R$ 511 in São João del-Rei and R$ 547 in São Paulo; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in São João del-Rei on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

See all hotels in São João del-Rei

Compare hotels and places to stay in São Paulo on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Rosewood São Paulo in São Paulo 9.5 ★★★★★ · 65 reviews Rosewood São Paulo See on Booking → San Michel Hotel in São Paulo 8.7 ★★★ · 358 reviews San Michel Hotel See on Booking →
See all hotels in São Paulo

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

São João del-Rei or São Paulo: which is better?
São João del-Rei is in the Historic Cities of Minas Gerais (MG), while São Paulo is in the state of the same name (SP): different regions of Brazil. São João del-Rei: Aleijadinho's Baroque, a century-old steam train and the hometown of Tancredo Neves, in a historic city that still goes about its everyday life, with a real university and real shops; São Paulo: museums, parks and one of the most diverse cuisines in the world in a metropolis that never slows down. For this month's weather, São João del-Rei has the edge. The two are about 471 km (293 mi) apart, 5h30 by car; you can combine them in a single trip.
What is the best time to visit São João del-Rei and São Paulo?
The best time to visit São João del-Rei is from May to September; for São Paulo, it is from May to September, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from São Paulo, São João del-Rei is 471 km (293 mi) and costs about R$ 280 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo is 433 km (269 mi) and costs about R$ 306 each way (fuel plus tolls). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, São João del-Rei or São Paulo?
Averaged over the year, São João del-Rei has 9 rainy days a month and São Paulo has 9. The two are practically tied over the year, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in São João del-Rei is December and in São Paulo, January. For temperature, both have the same average high, 26°.
How many days should you spend in São João del-Rei and in São Paulo?
To see the main sights without rushing, São João del-Rei calls for 1–2 days and São Paulo, 3–5 days. Since the two are 471 km (293 mi) from each other, anyone with 4 days or more can combine them in a single trip.
São João del-Rei or São Paulo with kids?
Both work with kids: São João del-Rei (Minas Baroque, living historic city, and steam train) and São Paulo (metropolis; culture and museums; food). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure.
Can you visit São João del-Rei and São Paulo on the same trip?
Yes. The two are about 471 km (293 mi) apart, 5h30 by car. Combining them in a single itinerary is common, with a few days in each.
What should you not miss in each?
In São João del-Rei: Church of São Francisco de Assis, Cathedral Basilica of Nossa Senhora do Pilar, Steam train to Tiradentes. In São Paulo: Avenida Paulista, MASP, Ibirapuera Park. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.