01
What is the SP Free Walking Tour?
The SP Free Walking Tour is the first and the official free walking tour in São Paulo, Brazil - since 2012!
Free Walking Tours are tours on foot, offering a historic, touristic, cultural and local overview of the city. It´s different way to discover the city, with our local and fun tour-guides, sharing with open-minded travelers from all over the world the best secrets and information of São Paulo, making a real experience with local connections. It´s sustaintable tourism, with less impact, and more real experience, supporting the local economy and keeping the original local culture.
Nowadays we have three different routes to discover São Paulo: "Old Downtown" (around the historic center), "Vila Madalena" (around the local side, with grafities and urban arts), and "Paulista Ave" (around the cultural heart).
02
When and what time do the Free Walking Tours happen?
There are THREE differente routes:
The "Old Downtown" tour (historic center) happens on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, at 11h00am in English (in Portuguese on Saturdays, at 10h30am). The Meeting Point is at República Square, next to the Tourist Information Center (subway station: República).
The "Paulista Ave" tour (cultural heart) goes on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, at 3h30pm in English (in Portuguese on Sundays, at 3h00pm). The Meeting Point is on the corner of Paulista Ave X Augusta St. (Jardins side), in front of Banco do Brasil (subway station: Consolação).
The "Vila Madalena" tour (local side) runs on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, at 11h00am in English (in Portuguese on Sundays at 10h30am). The Meeting Point is outside of Fradique Coutinho subway station (Yellow line), on the corner of Pinheiro St. and Fradique Coutinho St.
To join the tours, must arrive at the Meeting Point at least 15 minutes before it starts.
03
How long does it last? And where does it finish?
The "Old Downtown" tour lasts about 3h20min, with a 20min. break to relax, eat or drink, and go to the toilet. It finishes at São Bento Square, next to "São Bento" subway station (blue line), and very close to the Municipal Market.
The "Paulista Ave" tour lasts about 2h30min., plus a 10min. break to drink or eat something, go to the toilet and relax a little bit. It finishes at Casas das Rosas Cultural Center (Paulita Ave 37), two blocks from Brigadeiro subway station (green line).
The "Vila Madalena" tour lasts about 2h hours, including a 5min. break to admire the street arts of Beco do Aprendiz and relax a little bit. It finishes at Batman'a Alley (with street arts, cafes, stores), 20 minutes walking to Sumaré subway station (green line).
04
What language does the SP Free Walking Tour happen?
Nowadays the SP Free Walking Tour is done in English and in Portuguese.
The Free Walking Tous in Portuguese happen on weekends and holidays. And in English is on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, weekends and holidays.
05
Do we visit inside any place during the SP Free Walking Tour?
No. During the SP Free Walking Tour we visit the most famous and important sight-seeings of the city from outside. We also give all the information about location, visiting, prices, times and everything. So, after the tour, you can go inside and visit the places that you like most!
Some places are necessary to pay to go inside, and others we find a big line of people, wasting the time of the tour.
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Why is it free?
The Free Walking Tours work with "Collaborative Economy" concept. It means that, instead of a fixed price, everyone who joins is free to define the value of the tour, being the only way to thank for the tour and the only support to keep the project So, who joins decide who much the tour is worth giving voluntary tips, directly to the guide at the end of the experience. And our guide will do their best to offer you a great experience! ;-)
Tips can be given in cash in the local currency Reais (our guides do not accept debit or credit cards to receive the tips). Tips in other currencies are only appreciated in American Dolars or Euros.
07
What should I bring to the SP Free Walking Tour?
The tour is totally on foot, so, it's good to wear comfortable shoes. Also it's good to have water to drink on the way (it's possible to buy a bottle of water close to the Meeting Point). And mainly, a lots of fun and good vibes! :-)
In hot days, it's reccomended to use a hat and have a sunscreen. In rainy days, it's reccomended to have a raintcoat or umbrella (mainly summer time in the afternoon - January and February in Brazil).
In "Paulista Ave" tours, it's good to take a coat, because it gets cold in the end of afternoon, mainly winter time (June to September in São Paulo).
In tours with a break in the middle, it's possible to eat or drink, go to the toilet, where credit cards are accepted.
08
Do I need to book in advance to join the SP Free Walking Tour?
No. Booking in advance is not required to join our Free Walking Tours, but we recommend.
To keep the quality and safety to everyone, our groups have a limited number of participants. So, to guarantee your place in the group, you can book online. After you book online, you show up at the Meeting Point on the day of your tour 15 minutes before the tour starts, and there you meet our friendly staff, and confirm your sign-up.
We always separate 5 spaces in our groups for the Meeting Point, for those who don't have an online reservation (we respect the order of arrival), and can register for the tour with our staff at the Meeting Point (we recommend to arrive 20 minutes in advance, so the chances are higher).
Please, book online your spot in the tour only if your´re super sure about joinning our Free Walking Tours, to not take a spot of someone else who are sure about joinning it. We appreciate your understanding ;-)
Our Free Walking Tours are always confirmed - rainy or sunny days! So, bring your raincoat or your umbrella in rainy days. It happens a storm, the tour will be stopped for a while in a safe and covered place, until the rain get softer.
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Can I take my organized group to the SP Free Walking Tour?
No. In our regular Free Walking Tours, it's not allowed the participation of organized groups (like students, excursions) to keep the quality and safety of the tour (also because there is a limited number of participants).
For groups organized by another institution (like schools, excursions), we offer our Private Tours!
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What is a Private Tour?
Private Tours have the same concept: a walking tour - but on your way!
This service is perfect for:
. who wants a different day and time than our Free Walking Tours;
. for organized groups (students, excursions) with more than 7 people;
. who wants a more exclusive service;
So, for information, details and prices of our Private Tours, please, get in touch with us!