Are you traveling to Rio de Janeiro and would like to get away from the bustling city’s beaches for a few days? Love the mountains, craft beer and good food? Then this is the destination for you!
Teresópolis is a small town that is super welcoming. It’s in the mountainous part of the state, 95 km from Rio de Janeiro, the capital city. A town that’s perfect for slow living (and travel), families, those who love adventure, and gastronomic experiences!
We recently hired a new administrative/virtual assistant, Ana Beatriz, who happens to be from this town we love, so we asked her to share with us her top tips for things to do, where to eat, and where to shop in Terê, as it’s affectionately called by locals. Here are Beatriz’s tips!
Attractions in Teresópolis
1. PARNASO
The main destination in the region is the Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos (Serra dos Órgão National Park, or PARNASO). The park has seven trails, that range from easy hikes to advanced treks, and all will provide incredible discoveries in biodiversity, and breathtaking views. On warmer days, you can wear your swimsuit on these hikes, to take a dip into the natural pools created by the waterfalls in the park, and throughout the year, bring snacks for a picnic lunch with a view.
The park charges a fee, which you can find in the link above, and we highly recommend visiting the park with a local guide (especially for the longer treks, where camping is required)!
2. The Lookouts of Terê
If you’re not much of a hiker, but love views (who doesn’t?), there are a couple of lookouts that are easier to get to!
The Mirante da Colina is a new attraction, located in the Fazendinha district (just a 5 minute drive from downtown Teresópolis), and was just reopened. For those who love adventure, this lookout also has a ramp for handgliding!
There’s also the Soberbo lookout (pictured above) at the entrance to the city, which is the perfect taste of what’s to come! If you get here and are hungry, there is a stand where you can purchase a pastel and sugar cane juice.
3. Lago Comary
This stunning lake is right next to the Brazilian national football team’s training grounds, and is perfect for taking a nice stroll around the lake.
Where to Eat & Drink in Teresópolis
4. Vila St. Gallen
To start off our gastronomic portion of the tour – Vila St. Gallen!
For those who like craft beer, St. Gallen has a BierTour for groups, so you can see how their beer is made. You can also, of course, just stop by for a drink and skip the tour! The space itself has several rooms, serving German and Italian cuisine, a fondue station, and a lovely garden, chapel, café and souvenir shop.
You may arrive and see there’s a line to get in to the restaurants, but rest assured the wait is never too long, and you can always wait and sip on a beer in the bier garden or stroll the grounds, while you wait for your table.
5. Centro Gastronômico Recanto
This is also a multifaceted space with 4 restaurants that serve international cuisines that reflect the region’s immigration history.
- Recanto dos Pescadores – for seafood
- Casa da Picanha – for a Brazilian steak
- Recanto Sushi – yes, sushi!
- Recanto do Fondue – Fondue deliciousness
The space is open for lunch and dinner, and takes reservations for larger groups. It’s right on the main avenue in town!
6. Varietá Grill
This is a restaurant with a buffet, self service style approach, perfect for a quick lunch when you’re with picky eaters (or are one yourself). It’s also great for families, since there’s a “kid’s space” right inside the restaurant for children to play while adults enjoy their meals. It’s right downtown, and is also open for lunch and dinner.
7. San Telmo
For the coffee lovers, there’s also Café San Telmo, which has over 30 drink options, mostly coffee based, and sandwich and snack options. The drink you must try is the Coffee Flavoured Caipirinha! The café itself is super cozy, with great music, and is right downtown, near the Praça Santa Tereza. (Please note is is not open on Sundays!)
8. Doce Sabor
For those with a sweet tooth, there’s Doce Sabor – a local dessert shop chain, with 3 stores around the city. Besides desserts, the main shop on Rua Heitor de Moura Estevão also serves snacks, a buffet lunch, and pizza and pasta in the evening. My personal favorite is the strawberry and Nutella pie! It tastes like the best hug ever. If you’re there for lunch or dinner, try the quiche!
Where to Buy Souvenirs and Shop
Because we can’t leave without a souvenir, amiright?
9. Feirinha do Alto
This iconic market in the village has stands that sell everything from clothing, to acessories, to decorative items, food and more. It’s a perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon, stopping at stands, chatting with artisans and picked at snacks, and you’re bound to find a gift for yourself or a family member back home!
10. Shopping Centers
Besides the market, there are also shopping centers/malls in the city. The Shopping do Alto and Shopping Comary, which I also like!
These are just some of my favorite spots in Terê, but there is certainly much more to explore. I am in love with my city, and hope you fall in love once you visit too!
If you’d like a personalized itinerary for your Brazil trip or want to learn more about Teresópolis, we can help – just get in touch here.
Hope to write more travel inspiration for you all through Viare Travel, and to be in touch on your next trip to Brazil.
Love,
Bia.
Photos taken by Beatriz except for main photo, by Shot by Cerqueira via Unsplash.
