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Minas Gerais
Nestled in southeastern Brazil, Minas Gerais, translating to “General Mines,” stands as a captivating tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty. Renowned for its important role in the 18th-century Brazilian gold rush, the state earned its name from the abundance of precious minerals discovered within its borders.
Beyond history, Minas Gerais has a rich culinary heritage, being the birthplace of beloved Brazilian dishes such as feijão tropeiro and pão de queijo. Tiradentes, another gem in Minas Gerais, is celebrated for its artistic vibrancy and hosts one of Brazil’s prominent film festivals. Nature lovers are drawn to Serra do Cipó National Park, where scenic landscapes and diverse ecosystems offer a retreat into Brazil’s natural wonders. With its historical significance, cultural richness, and scenic landscapes, Minas Gerais attracts visitors to explore the multifaceted charm that defines this Brazilian state.
Ouro Preto
Ouro Preto is a prized jewel of Brazil’s colonial heritage. Founded in 1698, this city soon became the capital of the Portuguese gold rush. Ouro Preto’s mines financed seven decades of expansion and opulence before their depletion effectively ended the boom. Evidence of golden-age splendor can still be seen in Ouro Preto’s fine fountains, plazas, and churches. To protect these treasures, UNESCO declared the city center a World Heritage Site in 1980—a first for Brazil.
Ouro Preto is set in the hills below the Espinhaço Mountains. Visitors here will find a wealth of religious art in the city’s Baroque and Rococo churches —including works by the sculptor Aleijadinho and painter Mestre Athayde. Ouro Preto’s historic center is a maze of narrow, hilly streets, lined with red-roofed houses and charming storefronts.
The Museum of Mineralogy, located on the north side of Tiradentes Plaza, houses one of the world’s most extensive collections of minerals.
Brazil holds 60% of the world’s gem reserves, including Imperial topaz and precious amethyst. Mine tours are available just outside the city.
Other delightful towns surround Ouro Preto, including:
- Mariana
- Congonhas
- Tiradentes
- Sao Joao del Rei
Each offers its own unique collection of ornate churches, sunny plazas, and cobbled streets.
What to do in Ouro Preto & Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais is known for its colonial towns, mountain landscapes, and culinary traditions. Highlights around the area include:
- Day trips to surrounding towns such as Mariana, Congonhas, and Tiradentes
- Visits to churches
- Visits to chocolate shops
- The Museum of Mineralogy
- Explore Brazil’s colonial and mining heritage. Mina du Veloso is the largest gold mine open for tours
- Architecture tours
- The Inconfidência Museum
- Hiking
- Exploring caves
- Visits to historic farms
Walking the historic center reveals preserved mansions, artisan workshops, and lively student cafés. Nearby, trails and lookouts in the surrounding hills provide scenic views of the town’s tiled rooftops and church towers.
The 5,000-acre Inhotim botanical garden and contemporary art gallery can also be included in itineraries to this region.
What is the Weather Like?
Ouro Preto basks in a tropical highland temperate climate. Daytime highs typically range from 72–79 °F, peaking in February, while nights cool to 50–63 °F, with the chilliest in July or August. Rainfall concentrates from October through April, especially heavy around December, while June to September offers drier, clearer days.
Across Minas Gerais, the climate spans tropical to subtropical depending on elevation. Summers are warm and humid—averages near 83 °F—while winter months cool to about 58 °F.
These averages are changing, please check extended weather forecasts using your favorite weather app prior to departure.
Getting There
Minas Gerais is most often accessed by air through Belo Horizonte’s Tancredo Neves International Airport (CNF), which has frequent domestic flights, as well as limited international service (including Miami and Panama City). From Belo Horizonte, regional flights and road transfers connect to historic towns such as Ouro Preto, Tiradentes, and Diamantina.
Start your journey today
LANDED delivers the finest in custom, private travel to Central America, South America, and Antarctica. These regions are our passion; we know them first-hand and by heart. Speak with one of our travel designers and let us create a tailored itinerary for you in Ouro Preto & Minas Gerais.
How to combine Ouro Preto & Minas Gerais
Have some extra time? Here are some options for you to combine with.
