Carlos Alberto Naves, an architect, designed the Santuario Dom Bosco, which is one of the most frequently seen images on postcards of Brasilia. The structure is a white box, like all fine modernist structures. This pattern creates a large complex cross on the roof. It is both brutalist but also subtle. The floor of Santuario Cathedral is covered in marble that accentuates the blue windows creating a sky floor. Blue stained glass fills the pointed arch windows, illuminating the interior in a rich hue. The four rectangular windows are a vivid purple colour rather than blue.

The Santuario Dom Bosco's windows give it a starry night appearance. If one examines the structure of the building more closely, they may observe that the four walls function more like distinct panels than like the sides of a continuous box. In the Santuario Dom Bosco, the roof is split into four areas that create a relief. The four sides meet in the centre, where a large chandelier is hung up. The cathedral is one of the most important churches in Brazil and is an architectural masterpiece that makes viewers experience it at every step.

Location: W3 Sul, Quadra 702 Sul, Brasília, Brazil
Website: https://paroquias.salesianos.br/paroquia/santuario-sao-joao-bosco-df
Tel: 55 61 3223-6542
Hour: Open all hours
Google Rating: 4.9/5

The Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida is a Roman Catholic church designed by the architect Oscar Niemeyer and inaugurated in May 1970. Its name relates to the biggest place of pilgrimage in Brazil called Aparecida and translates as ‘the appeared’. When you enter the Metropolitan Cathedral through a darkened tunnel, you will be surprised to discover that what you see from the outside is only the building's roof; most of the cathedral is underground. The roof comprises two layers, with plexiglass over the stained glass. Its 16 curved concrete columns soar upward to create a crown surrounding a glass roof.

The four giant statues outside the entrance represent the Four Evangelists; also outside is a 20-meter freestanding bell tower. At the same time, Metropolitan Cathedral is a perfect starting point for sightseeing and a good first impression of how architecture works here in Brasília. The natural lighting effect inside is spectacular. There are plenty of white and many clear lines, and the architecture is still ultramodern despite its age. The acoustics in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Brasilia is also special. If two people stand very close to the round wall, you can even hear whispers even if the other is standing on the other side of the church!

Location: Esplanada dos Ministérios, Brasilia, Brazil
Website: https://catedral.org.br/
Tel: 55 61 3224-4073
Hour: 8:00 AM - 17:00 PM
Google Rating: 4.8/5

The Juscelino Kubitschek Memorial, just called Memorial JK, is located near the city park of Brasília and is dedicated to the founder and first president of the capital city of Brazil, Juscelino Kubitschek. A 4.5-meter statue of the president stands on a concrete platform in the park. After long negotiations and political pressure, the military finally gave in. In 1981, they granted the construction of the Memorial JK as a mausoleum and museum about the life of JK.

With an architectural project by Oscar Niemeyer, the JK Museum is located at one of the highest points of the Monumental Axis. The museum keeps objects that were part of moments that mix the family history with the construction of Brasilia. Along with Kubitschek's tomb and a museum devoted to him, the monument contains exciting exhibits on the city he envisioned and saw through to reality, including early plans, construction photography, and other materials illustrating Brasilia's history. The JK Memorial is surrounded by works of art by contemporary sculptors making it a popular attraction for tourists.

Location: Eixo Monumental, Lado Oeste, Praça do Cruzeiro, Brasília, Brazil
Website: http://www.memorialjk.com.br/
Tel: 55 61 3225-9451
Hour: 9:00 AM - 18:00 PM
Google Rating: 4.8/5

Lake Paranoá is an artificial lake located in Brasília, the capital of Brazil. During the construction of the city, the Paranoá River was dammed to form the lake, which has a circumference of 80 km. It has a maximum depth of 30 meters and has three little islands, which were created while the lake was flooded. The lake was based on the Rio Paranoá dam. It's common to see herons, ducks, eagles, otters, capybaras, black-tufted ear marmoset monkeys and even caiman crocodiles around the lake.

Many people believe that Lake Paranoá has always been there. And it's certainly challenging to imagine Brasilia without it. Others think the lake was just another idea by the city's creator, Lúcio Costa, or its architect, Oscar Niemayer. One of the most popular places to visit in Lake Paranoá is the Pontao do Lago Sul, a promenade along the south side of the lake lined with restaurants and ice cream stands.

On its shores are embassies and consulates, sports clubs, restaurants, the residential areas of Lago Sul and Lago Norte, the University of Brasília, the Olympic Center, and the Palácio da Alvorada, the official residence of the President of Brazil. Lake Paranoá is perfect for swimming, water sports, and enjoying beautiful sunsets in the evenings. How could you not want to visit the lake and learn about its past? With so many opportunities for relaxation, you're bound to fall in love with the place.

Location: Federal District, Brasília, Brazil

Website: https://izi.travel/en/66ae-paranoa-lake/en

Hour: Open all hours

Google Rating: 4.7/5

Itamaraty Palace, also known as Palácio dos Arcos, is a Brazilian building located in Brasília, the seat of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The palace was designed by Niemeyer in 1970. Currently, three buildings make up the headquarters of the Ministry: the Palace and Annexes I and II. At the front of the Palace, in front of the reflecting pool, is the sculpture Meteoro, designed by Bruno Giorgi. The Itamaraty Palace has the largest column-free hall in Latin America, with an area of 2,800 square meters. It is also considered the most artistically rich and best-preserved building on the Esplanade of the Ministries.

In Palácio dos Arcos, the lavishly decorated interior surrounds a semi-roofed courtyard with a garden. The building is open to the public, and a highlight of the interior is the spiralling freestanding staircase, which seems suspended in the air. The Itamaraty Palace was conceived as a building that would serve the purpose of presenting Brazil to foreign visitors and, therefore, its halls only house works by artists born or naturalized in Brazil – such as Athos Bulcão, Alfredo Volpi, Bruno Giorgi, Frans Krajcberg, Franz Weissmann, Maria Martins, Mary Vieira, Iberê Camargo, Ione Saldanha, Rubem Valentim.

Location: Zona Cívico-Administrativa, Brasilia, Brazil

Website: https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/assuntos/palacio-itamaraty

Tel: 55 61 2030-6199

Hour: 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM

Google Rating: 4.7/5

As the name of the Praça dos Tràs Poderes suggests, it is surrounded by buildings housing the executive, legislature, and judiciary: the Palácio do Planalto, the official residence of the President; the Supremo Tribunal Federal; and the Congresso Nacional. Also around the square are the Historical Museum of Brasília and the Panteão da Liberdade, designed by Oscar Niemeyer to honour the rebels of the Inconfidància Mineira of 1789 and President Tancredo Neves, who died in 1985 soon after taking office. There is a fountain in the Praça Square, and next to the fountain is a statue of a lady without an eye expression.

She was dubbed the "blind judge," a metaphor for unfair judgments and a warning to law enforcement officers to uphold justice. Praça dos Tràs Poderes is guarded by the Dragões da Independência, a particular unit of the Brazilian military, and with a bit of luck, you can watch the change of guard. The Praca dos Três Poderes is a good example of the architectural concept: lots of space, straight lines and a lot of brightness. Admission to both buildings is free, and they both offer fascinating insights into Brazilian history. On every first Sunday of the month, the flag of the huge flagpole is changed in a big ceremony, an event that also many Brasilienses go to.

Location: Praça dos Três Poderes - Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil

Website: https://trips.klarna.com/en/adp/brazil/brasilia/praca-dos-tres-poderes-a7166941905/

Tel: 55 61 3216-1768

Hour: 8:00 - 19:00 PM

Google Rating: 4.6/5

Brasília National Park covers 28,000 hectares in the northwest part of the city. The area has two trails, the Capivara trail, which takes about 20 minutes to walk and the Cristal Água trail, which lasts about 1 hour. Along with its varied flora typical of the wild areas of midwestern Brazil, the Brasília National Park protects a rich and varied fauna, with innumerable species of birds, rheas, wild pigs, giant armadillos, capybaras, pampas deer, rare maned wolves, jaguars, caimans, anacondas, and other species of snakes.

One of the most striking springs in the area is the Peito de Moça spring, one of the most beautiful in the park. The name was given due to a slight elevation in the rock, which left it in the shape of a breast, where pure and crystalline water gushes. It is a place of tradition, if your father or grandparents were born or raised here, they certainly have a lot to say about the famous Mineral Water. On the holidays of the Passion of Christ, All Souls, Christmas, January 1st and on dates stipulated by the Electoral Court for elections, the Brasília National Park is closed to visitors.

Location: Sman - Zona Industrial, Brasília, Brazil
Website: https://www.minube.com.br/sitio-preferido/-parque-nacional-de-brasilia-_-agua-mineral-a32271
Tel: 55 61 3233-6897
Hour: 6:00 AM - 16:00 PM
Google Rating: 4.6/5

The 224-meter-tall Brasilia TV Tower is an excellent place to visit to get an overview of Brasilia and a sense of its layout. This tower is the centrepiece of the Pilot Plan between the two avenues of the Axis. The observation deck of the TV Tower was opened in 1965 at the height of 75 metres from the ground. You can climb on the deck through the elevator and watch the charming sunset. The Television Tower is open to the public free every day.

From Brasília’s Television Tower, you have the best view over the Esplanada and the whole of Plano Piloto. In addition, you will find the Feira da Torre, a permanent market with handicrafts and street food. There is a cafeteria on the mezzanine and the National Museum of Gemstones on the lower deck. As Brasília has always been a melting pot of all Brazilian regions due to its history, you will traditionally find the most exotic specialities from the whole country, from Tacacá from Pará to Empadas from Goiás.

Location: Jardim Burle Marx, Brasília, Brazil
Website: https://architectuul.com/architecture/brasilia-tv-tower
Hour: Open all hours
Google Rating: 4.4/5

Like many of the main buildings in Brasília, the Memorial of Indigenous Peoples, on the Monumental Axis, was designed by Oscar Niemeyer. It has a spiral shape which was a way to refer to the round shelters of the Yanomami. Historical and present-day implements - pottery, baskets, weapons, paddles, and feather headdresses - join artworks created especially for the Memorial of Indigenous Peoples in a collection considered one of the best in South America.

The museum shop is an excellent place to find handmade native crafts. The highlight is the Forest of indigenous languages of Brazil, which exemplifies the indigenous linguistic variety, with more than 200 languages spoken. In this way, the totems with the names of indigenous peoples are grouped by trunks and respective linguistic families. On special occasions, such as Indian Day, the Memorial brings together different people for a special program and temporary exhibitions.

The Memorial of Indigenous Peoples receives an average of 2,500 visitors per month and aims to show the diversity and richness of indigenous culture in a dynamic and lively way. For this purpose, it promotes events with the presence and participation of indigenous representatives from different regions. Admission is free and open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 5 pm. It's a tour that you can take in 30 minutes or up to 2 hours, depending on your interest in the topic.

Location: Brasília, Brazil

Website: https://www.cultura.df.gov.br/memorial-dos-povos-indigenas/

Tel: 55 61 3344-1155

Hour: 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM

Google Rating: 4.3/5

The building of the National Congress is as old as the city of Brasília itself. It was designed by the architect Oscar Niemeyer and consisted of a flat-based structure where the offices of the members of parliament are located. The National Congress comprises two blocks: a platform with three different pavements, whose roof slab is on a similar level with the esplanade of the Ministry buildings – above which rise the volumes of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate –and the double tower of 27 floors where the cabinets are, one for the senator and another for the parliament members.

The tower located to the east is separated from the platform and the Praça dos Três Poderes by a large mirror of water. Visitors have the possibility to discover the Congress and its rooms from the inside without any entrance fee. The National Congress towers are also connected by a three-story bridge on the fourteenth through sixteenth floors. Around these photogenic buildings is a broad lawn with a reflecting pool, and inside are exhibits that include a Tunnel of Time. You can tour the complex with an English-speaking guide.

Location: Praça dos 3 Poderes, Brasília, Brazil

Website: https://www.congressonacional.leg.br/

Tel: 55 61 3126-0000

Hour: 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM

Google Rating: 4.2/5