4 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
15mins by road from Sao Joao del Rei Airport
When to go
All year round
Minimum stay
1 to 2 days
Tiradentes (Brazil)
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Amélie Perraud-Boulard
Practical information about Tiradentes
Reviews of Tiradentes
One of the prettier historical towns in the state of Minas Gerais, a place where time stands still.
My suggestion:
Stay for at least 2 days at Tiradentes, so you can spend a day in the town and also see Sao Joao del Rei, at only 15 minutes away. Note that it's quieter during week days.
Summary:
As a little, colonial town, Tiradentes is worth a detour. That doesn't mean you shouldn't also see Ouro Preto, the best known of Minas Gerais's historic towns, but Tiradentes was an enjoyable discovery for me. There are fewer monuments, but two to see are the elaborate Santo Antonio Church and the Sao José Fountain. It's fun to stroll along paved streets lined by pretty, white houses with brightly colored windows. A walk along the river is worth it too. Outside the town there are mountain walks and waterfalls that you can swim in.
Tiradentes is also a great place to buy local crafts - wooden carvings, hammocks or paintings by the numerous artists who have studios in the vicinity. For food lovers, the meals are ample and the quality good!
I really liked Mineiran food; it's exquisitely prepared and the servings are generous. Try a tutu de feijao, a molho pardo chicken or the local sausages. And wash it all down with a glass of 'cachaça', the famous Brazilian alcohol, Minas Gerais being a well known producer of this tipple.
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Amélie Perraud-Boulard
Founded in 1719, Tiradentes is a little corner of Portugal lost in the middle of Brazil. Paved streets, yellow and white two-bell churches: the city has preserved its colonial architecture.
My suggestion:
At Easter, the city's population of 1,700 triples. This is an ideal time to visit Tiradentes, as the city is animated by a variety of celebrations including processions and concerts in the evening. Be sure to book a hotel in advance.
Summary:
Tiradentes is less well known than its neighbours, Ouro Preto or Sao Joao del Rei, yet it was my favourite city in Minas Gerais.
There are over ten churches and chapels all clustered in the historical city centre, one of which is the famous Matriz de Santo Antonio (the 2nd church made of gold in Brazil). What with paved streets and horse-drawn carriages, after a few hours in Tiradentes, you will forget what century it is.
It will take you only half a day to visit the city, but you can spend a pleasant evening attending concerts and festivals, which are organised regularly. Stroll down the paved streets lined with numerous artists studios.
Besides historical visits, I noticed that it's possible to go bicycle or horse riding or even hike in the mountains all around the city.
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Adeline Haverland
148 travellers' photos
