I already said here, that Belém do Pará, it was one of the most interesting cities I've ever visited in Brazil and I have no idea why so few Brazilians discovered this amazing place! The port city is the gateway to the Lower Amazon region, it still preserves the colonial houses with Portuguese tiles and has one of the richest municipal markets I have ever seen in my life, the See-the-Weight it is a mix of fish, chestnuts, tucupi, açaí and a lot of culture.
The capital of Pará is one of those cities that you will visit without many expectations and when you arrive, you only have one thought – why had I never been here before??!!!!
Reasons to visit Belém do Pará
1. Our Lady of Nazareth Basilica
The Basilica was built in 1909 and today it is the most important sanctuary for the people of Pará, because there, the image of Our Lady of Nazareth was found in the beginning of the 18th century, and this image is still there today. Every year, during the Círio de Nazaré festivities, the saint receives a new mantle and receives tourists and faithful from all corners of Brazil.
The Basilica is beautiful and super worth a visit!
2. Dock Station
It is the port area that has been revitalized and is like the Puerto Madero from Pará! It has several restaurants, bars and a super nice atmosphere in the 500 meters of boardwalk facing the river.
There are three huge warehouses divided between souvenir shops, bars, restaurants and ice cream parlors – the inside is fully heated with air conditioning and the outside has balconies facing the river.
Prefer to go in the late afternoon to enjoy the sunset there, which is beautiful!
3. Gastronomy
Just one of the best cuisines in this country… just!! I never imagined that the gastronomy of Pará would be so rich and so tasty, from the simple restaurant, with homemade food, to the most elaborate signature cuisine, they are sensational!
And two of my favorite places in Belém were Mercado-Ver-O-Peso, a market that sells the famous fish with açaí, it's super simple but worth the experience!! Sushi Ruy Barbosa, on the other hand, was one of the best sushi I've ever had in my life, I swear!! They make a very accurate mix of flavors of oriental cuisine with regional touches and the result is sensational! Ruy Barbosa is a more chic restaurant and if you enjoy oriental cuisine, you need to include it in your itinerary !!
4. Market-See-O-Peso
It is the biggest open air market in Latin America and it is a mixture of aromas, colors and flavors that I think exists in few places in the world !!! It's amazing to try different foods and meet people who look like they came out of a storybook about Brazil! Be sure to take the Açai from there, it's unlike any you've ever tasted in your life!!
5. Mangal das Garças ecological park
It is a very well maintained ecological park, on the banks of the Guamá River and in the middle of the historic center of Belém. There you can find the Amazonian Navigation Museum, a bird nursery, a butterfly garden, an orchid garden and a restaurant! It's very nice to arrive at the herons' lunch time, it's totally worth the visit – the herons live free!!!
6. Theater of Peace
With neoclassical architecture, it was built at the time of rubber exploration in the Amazon and has references to the Teatro Scala, one of the largest opera houses in the world, in Milan.
Your visit can only be guided but takes place every day (except Monday) every hour.
7. The people
I just fell in love with the people of Pará! They are simple people, receptive and full of super cool stories!! It's a class to sit with these guys and just listen to the different stories of their city!
8. The proximity of Marajó, Alter do Chão and Algodoal
Belém do Pará is close to Marajó Island and other paradises, which may not be so well known to you but are super worth the search, Alter do Chão and Algodoal! If you have a little more time for tourism when you go to Belém, put one of these three destinations in the itinerary (or all three together).
I had the great pleasure of visiting Marajó Island, it is the largest fluvial-maritime archipelago on the planet and has the largest herd of buffaloes in the country – be sure to try the Marajó cheeses, they are delicious.
Alter do Chão, is part of Santarém and has already been elected as one of the most beautiful beach destinations in Brazil – including the front of Fernando de Noronha. The beaches are surrounded by the Tapajós and Arapiuns rivers and all that magnificent green of the Amazon.
Algodoal is a fishing village, simple and very charming – adjectives very typical of Pará – and draws attention for its beaches and natural beauties. Perfect destination for those who want peace and contact with nature.
9. Cairu ice cream
It's just the most famous ice cream shop in Belém and has already been voted the best ice cream shop in Brazil!! Cairu is practically a historical heritage of the city hahaha. There are more than 50 years of history and more than 50 flavors… be sure to try tapioca, açaí, taperebá and Brazil nuts.
10. Boat trip
It's really worth taking the boat trip that leaves from Estação das Docas to watch the sunset over the sea!! The tour lasts 1h30 and has a guide explaining the sights and regional dances!! It's pretty cool!