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Jardineira Tour
In this jardineira tour of Ouro Preto, we'll embark on a panoramic tour, allowing you to take in the city's primary attractions from a unique perspective.
4 h 30 min
from US$ 19
In brief
Ouro Preto is worth 2 to 3 days: the Baroque churches, Tiradentes Square, a museum and a mine, with time to take the hills slowly. The driest months run from May to August, with highs of 25 to 26 °C and 5 to 28 mm of rain a month; summer, from December to March, is hotter and wetter, with up to 339 mm in December.
The destination
What to expect in Ouro Preto
Ouro Preto began as Vila Rica, at the height of the 18th-century gold rush, and for decades it was the richest and most populous city in the Portuguese colony in the Americas. That wealth turned into stone and gilded woodcarving: the cluster of churches, mansions and steep streets rising and falling along the slopes of the Serra de Ouro Preto is so exceptional that it became the first Brazilian site recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in 1980.
This is where the Baroque and Rococo of Minas Gerais reach their peak, largely thanks to Antônio Francisco Lisboa, known as Aleijadinho, and the painter Manoel da Costa Ataíde. The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, with its sculpted facade and richly worked interior, is considered one of the masterpieces of Brazilian Baroque. The city was also the setting of the Inconfidência Mineira, an uprising against Portuguese rule, and the Inconfidência Museum on Tiradentes Square preserves that memory.
Getting around Ouro Preto means climbing and descending steep stone streets at almost 1,200 meters above sea level, so bring comfortable shoes and some stamina. The climate is mountain weather, with cool nights all year and dry, mild winters. It is a university and bohemian town, where the weight of history mixes with student houses, cachaça bars (cachaça is Brazil's sugarcane spirit), pubs and a Minas Gerais cuisine that runs from feijão tropeiro (beans with pork and cassava flour) to sweets. It is a destination to enjoy slowly, church by church and corner by corner.
Updated on October 13, 2026
What to see
Must-sees in Ouro Preto
1 Church
Church of Saint Francis of Assisi
A masterpiece of Brazilian Baroque, with a facade sculpted by Aleijadinho and ceiling paintings by Mestre Ataíde. It is one of the most important churches in the country.
2 Historic square
Tiradentes Square
The heart of Ouro Preto, surrounded by colonial mansions and museums, with the statue of Tiradentes in the center. It is the meeting point and starting point for exploring the city.
3 Museum
Inconfidência Museum
Housed in the former Town Hall and Jail on Tiradentes Square, it holds material on the Inconfidência Mineira and sacred art, including pieces by Aleijadinho.
4 Historic mine
Mina do Chico Rei
A former gold mine open to visitors, with galleries dug in the 18th century and the legend of Chico Rei, the enslaved African who is said to have bought his own freedom.
5 Church
Church of Our Lady of the Pillar
One of the richest interiors of Minas Gerais Baroque, with gold-covered carvings and a sacred art museum in the basement.
6 Church
Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
A late Baroque church with Aleijadinho involved in the design, an elegant facade and a finely worked interior, close to Tiradentes Square.
7 Scenery
Lookouts and streets of the historic center
The layout of the city itself, wedged into the mountains, offers views of the rooftops, church towers and hills, at almost 1,200 m above sea level.
Tours and tickets
Things to do in Ouro Preto, bookable in English
When to go
Best time to visit Ouro Preto
Brazil is in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons are the reverse of those in Europe and North America: summer in Ouro Preto falls between December and March and winter between June and August. Because of the altitude, nights are cool all year: in June and July, the coolest months, the average high is 25 °C and the low is 15 °C.
For walking with little rain, the best time is the dry winter, from May to August, with highs of 25 to 26 °C and lows of 15 to 17 °C. July is the driest month, with 5 mm of rain on 1 day; June and August get 11 mm each. Summer is hot and rainy, with highs of 28 to 29 °C and heavy afternoon downpours: December is the wettest month, with 339 mm over 17 days, followed by January with 331 mm over 15 days.
Best window: May to August More rain / less comfortable Comfort index · INMET (updated 2026)
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rainy days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29 °C | 20 °C | 331 mm | 15 | Fair |
| February | 29 °C | 20 °C | 178 mm | 10 | Fair |
| March | 28 °C | 20 °C | 198 mm | 11 | Fair |
| April | 28 °C | 19 °C | 82 mm | 7 | Good |
| May | 26 °C | 17 °C | 28 mm | 3 | Very good |
| June | 25 °C | 15 °C | 11 mm | 1 | Very good |
| July | 25 °C | 15 °C | 5 mm | 1 | Very good |
| August | 26 °C | 16 °C | 11 mm | 1 | Very good |
| September | 28 °C | 17 °C | 49 mm | 4 | Very good |
| October | 29 °C | 19 °C | 110 mm | 8 | Good |
| November | 28 °C | 19 °C | 236 mm | 14 | Fair |
| December | 28 °C | 20 °C | 339 mm | 17 | Fair |
Monthly averages for 1991-2020 from INMET (Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology). The rating combines rainfall, temperature and humidity.
The weather in Ouro Preto, season by season
Summer
In summer (December to February), Ouro Preto has highs of around 29 °C (84 °F) and lows of 20 °C (68 °F), and it is the wetter season, with about 283 mm of rain spread over about 14 days a month. The days are hot and call for beach time and shade.
Fall
In fall (March to May), Ouro Preto has highs of around 27 °C (81 °F) and lows of 19 °C (66 °F), and it is the wetter season, with about 103 mm of rain spread over about 7 days a month. Temperatures are pleasant for sightseeing all day.
Winter
In winter (June to August), Ouro Preto has highs of around 25 °C (77 °F) and lows of 15 °C (59 °F), and it is the driest time of year, with about 9 mm of rain a month. Temperatures are pleasant for sightseeing all day.
Spring
In spring (September to November), Ouro Preto has highs of around 28 °C (82 °F) and lows of 18 °C (64 °F), and it is the wetter season, with about 132 mm of rain spread over about 9 days a month. The days are hot and call for beach time and shade.
Month by month
Ouro Preto in every month of the year
Weather, crowds, prices and what is happening at the destination in each period. Tap a month to open its full page; the colored dot shows how good the time is for a visit.
Calendar
Recurring events in Ouro Preto
February/March
Carnival in Ouro Preto
Street Carnival with blocos (street parties) and dances in the student houses known as repúblicas, one of the busiest in Minas Gerais.
March/April
Holy Week in Ouro Preto (Semana Santa)
Traditional religious celebrations with processions and decorated carpets on the streets, recalling the Passion of Christ.
July
Ouro Preto Winter Festival (Festival de Inverno de Ouro Preto)
A July cultural event with music, theater, dance, exhibitions and workshops around the city.
November
Ouro Preto Forum of Letters (Fórum das Letras de Ouro Preto)
A literary festival run by UFOP (the Federal University of Ouro Preto), bringing together Brazilian and international authors for discussions on literature.
Recurring annual events: exact dates change every year, so confirm them before you plan your trip.
Getting there
Getting to Ouro Preto from abroad
From abroad, you arrive through Tancredo Neves International Airport (CNF), in Confins, about 139 km from the city, and from there you continue overland.
From Belo Horizonte, Ouro Preto is about 100 km away, around 1 h 45 min by car, and regular buses leave from Belo Horizonte. Routes and airlines serving the region change often, so it is safest to check them when you plan your trip.
CNF · Tancredo Neves International Airport (Confins), about 139 km (86 mi) from Ouro Preto
Where to stay
Hotels in Ouro Preto
The historic center holds a good part of what you visit: Tiradentes Square, the Inconfidência Museum and the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel are all close together.
Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.
Before you go
Practical information for visitors from abroad
Entry to the country
Passport and visa requirements depend on your nationality and can change. Confirm them on the website of Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you buy your flight.
Currency and payments
The currency is the real (BRL). Many churches charge an entrance fee, so it is a good idea to carry cash or a card.
Language and time
Portuguese is spoken. Ouro Preto uses Brasília time, UTC−3, all year round.
Getting there
From Belo Horizonte it is about 100 km, around 1 h 45 min by car. Regular buses leave from Belo Horizonte.
What to pack
Comfortable shoes, because the streets are steep and paved with stone, and a jacket: at almost 1,200 m the nights are cool all year, even when the days are warm.
Churches
They keep their own opening hours, many charge an entrance fee and some close to visitors during Mass. Check the hours before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about Ouro Preto
What is the best time to visit Ouro Preto?
Winter, from May to August, is dry and mild, ideal for walking: highs of 25 to 26 °C and only 5 to 28 mm of rain a month. Summer, from December to March, is the wettest, with 339 mm in December and heavy afternoon downpours.
How many days do you need in Ouro Preto?
Two to three days is enough to see the main churches, Tiradentes Square, a museum and a mine, with time to climb and descend the hills without rushing.
How do you get to Ouro Preto from the airport?
Tancredo Neves International Airport (CNF), in Confins, is about 139 km from the city. From Belo Horizonte it is about 100 km, around 1 h 45 min by car, and regular buses leave from there.
Is walking around Ouro Preto tiring?
Yes, it takes some stamina: the whole city is built on steep stone streets, at almost 1,200 m above sea level. Comfortable shoes make a big difference, and anyone with reduced mobility should plan the route carefully.
Can you visit Ouro Preto as a day trip from Belo Horizonte?
You can, since it is about 100 km, 1 h 45 min by car, but it feels rushed. To see the churches and the historic center at a relaxed pace, it is best to spend at least one night in the city.
Do the churches charge an entrance fee?
Many do, and they keep their own visiting hours and close during Mass. Carry cash or a card and check the hours, as some churches do not allow photos inside.
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Sources
The weather and population data in this guide come from official agencies and open databases. Entry requirements and health recommendations change: always check the official source linked.