Curitiba rewards visitors who appreciate urban planning, green spaces, and cultural attractions. The city has 48 parks and forests, a pioneering bus rapid transit system, and several world-class museums. Most attractions are reachable via the Linha Turismo hop-on-hop-off bus (R$50, valid 24 hours), which stops at 22 points of interest. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss, organized by category. For more context, see our Curitiba travel guide page. See our Curitiba weather by month for more information.
Things to Do in Curitiba: Parks and Gardens
Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden)
The iconic Art Nouveau greenhouse is Curitiba’s postcard image. The French-style geometric gardens spread in front of the glass structure, which houses tropical plants and a small forest of native Atlantic species. Entry is free. The garden opens daily from 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM (summer) and 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (winter). The on-site Botanical Museum (R$10) has a collection of native flora specimens. Arrive before 10:00 AM to avoid tour bus crowds and get clean photos of the greenhouse without people in frame.
Parque Tanguá
Two connected lakes with a waterfall cascading from an old quarry wall. The park spans 235,000 square meters and includes a 45-meter observation tower with views across the city toward the Serra do Mar mountains. Free entry, open daily 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The sunset view from the upper belvedere is the best in Curitiba , arrive around 5:00 PM to claim a spot on the wall. There’s a café at the top level. The park is stop #18 on the Linha Turismo bus.
Parque Barigui
The city’s most popular urban park at 1.4 million square meters. Capybaras live wild around the lake and are completely unfazed by humans , you’ll see them grazing on the grass within meters of joggers. The park has cycling paths, barbecue pits, and an exhibition center. Free entry, open 24 hours. Mornings are best for capybara spotting; weekends get crowded with family picnics. Several food kiosks sell pastel and caldo de cana (sugarcane juice). Stop #7 on the Linha Turismo.
Things to Do in Curitiba: Museums and Culture
Museu Oscar Niemeyer (MON)
Known as the “Eye Museum” for its distinctive eye-shaped tower designed by Brazil’s most famous architect. The museum occupies 35,000 square meters and is the largest in Latin America. Permanent collections include Niemeyer’s architectural drawings and a strong contemporary Brazilian art collection. R$30 full price, R$15 half, free on Wednesdays. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. Budget 2-3 hours. The museum shop sells excellent design books. Café MON on the ground floor has decent espresso and pastries.
Ópera de Arame (Wire Opera House)
A steel-and-glass theater built over an artificial lake in the Pedreiras quarry, surrounded by native forest. The transparent tubular structure seats 1,572 people and hosts concerts, theater, and ballet. Entry to the theater grounds is R$10 (or free if you’re attending a performance). Open Tuesday to Sunday 8:00 AM-8:00 PM (gates close at 5:00 PM on non-event days). The adjacent Pedreira Paulo Leminski is a massive open-air quarry venue that hosted the Barcelona Circus and major concerts. Stop #20 on Linha Turismo.
Largo da Ordem and Sunday Craft Market
The historic heart of Curitiba with preserved Portuguese colonial buildings along cobblestone streets. On Sundays, the Feira do Largo da Ordem takes over the square and surrounding streets with 1,000+ stalls selling crafts, art, antiques, and street food. The market runs 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Favorites include the pastel de feira (fried pastry, R$8-12), sugarcane juice, and the crafts from local artisans. Weekdays the area is quiet but still worth visiting for the architecture and the nearby Igreja da Ordem (1737), Curitiba’s oldest church.
Things to Do in Curitiba: Unique Experiences
Serra Verde Express Train to Morretes
One of Brazil’s most scenic rail journeys descends 930 meters through the Serra do Mar Atlantic Forest from Curitiba to the colonial town of Morretes. The 110km trip takes 3.5-4 hours on the tourist train (R$160-260 one-way depending on class) or 3 hours on the economic train. The train crosses 41 bridges and passes through 14 tunnels with views of waterfalls, gorges, and dense rainforest. Book at least a week ahead via serraverdeexpress.com.br. In Morretes, eat barreado (traditional slow-cooked beef stew) at any restaurant facing the river. Buses back to Curitiba depart from the Morretes rodoviária (R$35, 1.5 hours).
Santa Felicidade
Curitiba’s Italian neighborhood, settled in 1878 by immigrants from Veneto and Trento. The main avenue Avenida Manoel Ribas is lined with large Italian restaurants serving family-style meals. The most famous are Madalosso (seats 4,600, claims to be one of the world’s largest restaurants), Dom Antonio, and Velho Madalosso. Most serve the rodízio system: servers circulate with platters of pasta, polenta, grilled meats, and salads (R$60-80 per person). The neighborhood also has wine shops, craft stores, and the historic São Francisco de Paula Church (1884). Bus 304 from Praça Tiradentes. Stop #21 on Linha Turismo.
Mercado Municipal
The Municipal Market in a 1958 modernist building, renovated in 2005. Four floors of food stalls, spice shops, fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and cachaça. The mezzanine level food court has excellent lunch options: Box 32 (seafood) and Bar do Alemão (German-Brazilian sandwiches and draft beer) are local favorites. Don’t miss the pine nut stands (pinhão) in season (April-July), roasted and sold by the cone. Open Monday to Saturday 7:00 AM-6:00 PM, Sunday 8:00 AM-3:00 PM. Stop #5 on Linha Turismo, or a 15-minute walk from Praça Tiradentes.
Torre Panorâmica (Panoramic Tower)
A 109.5-meter telecommunications tower with an observation deck offering 360-degree views of Curitiba. On clear days (most common in July and August) you can see the Serra do Mar mountain range 60km away. Entry is R$10. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. The tower is located inside the Telepar complex on Rua Professor Lycio Grein de Castro Vellozo. Stop #6 on Linha Turismo. The best light is late afternoon when the sun sets behind the city. Also see our guides to best time to visit Curitiba, Curitiba events and festivals, Curitiba neighborhoods guide, where to stay in Curitiba, and Curitiba travel tips and FAQ.
