Things to Do in Ouro Preto

Ouro Preto packs more baroque churches, gold-mining history, and UNESCO-listed architecture into a few steep streets than almost any town in the Americas. Most sights sit within a 15-minute walk of Praça Tiradentes, and nearly everything is closed on Mondays. Here are the best things to do in ouro preto, with opening hours and ticket prices so you can plan a full day or two. If you are still picking dates, see our best time to visit Ouro Preto guide first.

Things to Do in Ouro Preto: Historic Churches and Museums

Igreja de São Francisco de Assis

This 18th-century church on Largo de Coimbra is the signature work of Aleijadinho, Brazil’s most famous baroque sculptor, and its soapstone facade and painted wooden ceiling are considered his masterpiece. Entry costs about R$15 (roughly US$3) and the church is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 am to 12 pm and 1:30 pm to 5 pm. The carved pulpit and the circular paintings by Mestre Ataíde are the two details to look for before you leave. For the month-by-month temperatures and rainfall, see our Ouro Preto weather by month guide.

Museu da Inconfidência

Housed in the old town hall and jail at Praça Tiradentes 139, this museum tells the story of the 1789 Inconfidência Mineira, the failed uprising against Portuguese rule, and holds the remains of the conspirators. Tickets cost around R$10, entry is free on Sundays, and it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. Give it 90 minutes to work through the rooms in rough chronological order. For the full festival calendar, see our events and festivals in Ouro Preto guide.

Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Pilar

This church on Praça Monsenhor Castilho Barbosa is the wealthiest in town, decorated with an estimated 434 kg (957 lb) of gold and silver leaf across its seven altars. Admission is about R$15 and it opens Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 11 am and 12 pm to 5 pm. The main altar and the silver-covered chancel are the highlights; photos are not allowed inside. For help picking a district, see our neighborhoods in Ouro Preto guide.

Casa dos Contos

This former gold tax house on Rua São José 12 is now a free museum covering the colonial economy, with an intact slave quarters, a gold foundry, and period furniture. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, roughly 10 am to 6 pm, and there is no entry fee. The stone-walled basement where gold was once weighed is the most atmospheric room. For hotel recommendations by area, see our where to stay in Ouro Preto guide.

Teatro Municipal (Casa da Ópera)

Built in 1769, this is the oldest functioning theater in the Americas, a small horseshoe-shaped opera house on Rua Brigadeiro Musqueira with original wooden balconies. Entry costs about R$15 and it is open for visits daily, usually 12 pm to 5 pm. Evening performances still run in July during the Winter Festival if you want to see it in use. For practical planning advice, see our Ouro Preto travel tips guide.

Things to Do in Ouro Preto: Mines and Underground Tours

Mina da Passagem

This gold mine in nearby Mariana, 12 km from Ouro Preto, takes you 120 metres underground in a small cable car pulled down the original shaft. The guided tour costs about R$100 and runs daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Wear closed shoes and bring a light layer, since the tunnel stays around 18°C year-round. It pairs well with a half-day in Mariana’s colonial centre. For the full town overview, see our Ouro Preto travel guide.

Mina do Chico Rei

This compact mine on Rua Dom Silvério, reached down a short set of steps from the town, was worked by enslaved miners and is tied to the legend of Chico Rei, an African king who bought his own freedom. Entry is about R$20 for a 20-minute guided walk through the narrow tunnel. It is a good option if you want an underground experience without leaving town.

Things to Do in Ouro Preto: Nature and Viewpoints

Itacolomi State Park

This state park protects Pico do Itacolomi (1,772 m), the sharp peak that 18th-century prospectors used as a landmark on the road to the mines. The main trail to the summit is about 12 km round-trip and takes four to five hours, or you can stick to the shorter 3 km loop to the visitor centre. The park opens daily from 8 am to 5 pm and there is a small entrance fee. Clear winter mornings give the best views.

Morro de São Sebastião Viewpoint

For a postcard view over the red-tiled rooftops without a long hike, walk up to the top of Morro de São Sebastião, the hill behind the São Sebastião chapel. It takes about 20 minutes from the centre and is free. Sunset is the best time, though the climb back down is unlit, so bring a phone torch.

Lavras Novas Waterfalls

The village of Lavras Novas, 12 km from Ouro Preto, has a string of natural pools and small waterfalls, including the popular Cachoeira dos Três Pingos. It is a 30-minute bus or car ride, and several waterfalls are free to access or charge a few reais for parking. Weekends fill with day-trippers, so go on a weekday morning for space to swim.

Things to Do in Ouro Preto: Food, Drink, and Crafts

Cachaça Distilleries

Minas Gerais produces some of Brazil’s best cachaça, and a few artisanal distilleries sit within 20 minutes of town, including Cachaçaria Milagre de Minas, where you can tour the stills and taste aged varieties. Tastings are usually free with a tour that costs around R$30 to R$50. If you drink, go for the oak-aged cachaça rather than the young white spirit.

Soapstone (Pedra-Sabão) Market

The stalls around Praça Tiradentes and along Rua São José sell carvings made from pedra-sabão, the soft soapstone local sculptors have worked for three centuries. Small bowls and figurines start around R$10 to R$20, while larger pots run R$50 to R$150. Prices are fixed in the shops but negotiable at the open-air stalls.

Chocolate Shops

Ouro Preto has become a small chocolate hub, and Chocolates Ouro Preto on Rua Direita sells bars, truffles, and hot chocolate made from locally grown cocoa blends. A 100 g bar costs around R$25 to R$35. It is a good stop for gifts and pairs with the coffee shops along the same street.