Minas Gerais is the main coffee-producer state in Brazil, offering interesting attractions, exuberant natural beauty, historic cities, and delicious cuisine.
The state is located in the country’s southeast region and is the second-most populous state in Brazil with an estimated population of 21 million.
Top Destinations & Hotels in Minas Gerais
1. Belo Horizonte
Photo Credit: Luiz Felipe S. C.
Belo Horizonte is the capital and largest city in Minas Gerais state.
The city is home to museums such as the Pampulha Art Museum, the House Kubitschek – JK Museum, green areas such as the Pampulha Ecological Park, and the beautiful Praça da Liberdade square and also offers delicious gastronomy with excellent restaurants, cafés, and bars options.
The Lake Pampulha area is popular to visit and the Mangabeiras Viewpoint is a must for panoramic views.
The city has hotel options for all budgets, the Hotel Fasano Belo Horizonte is the most elegant hotel in Belo Horizonte, and the Royal Boutique Savassi Hotel and Radisson Blu Belo Horizonte offer excellent value for money.
And for cheaper options, ibis Belo Horizonte Savassi and Normandy Hotel are good options.
2. Capitólio
Minas Gerais Brazil: Top Destinations – Photo Credit: Jaime Dantas
Capitólio is one of the most coveted destinations in Brazil, known for its nature with waterfalls, lookouts, and trails.
Among the attractions and must-do things in the region include a speedboat ride on Lake Furnas (Lago de Furnas), the Canyons do Lago de Furnas, the Capitolio Canyons Lookout, the Cascade Eco Park, and the Trilha do Sol and Retiro Viking trails.
The region offers good accommodation options for all types of budget.
Pousada Buena Vista and Pousada Lagoa Azul Marina are two great inns options.
3. Ouro Preto
Minas Gerais Brazil: Top Destinations – Photo Credit: Nathalia Segato
Ouro Preto is a charming city in Minas Gerais known for its numerous churches, beautiful architecture, and stunning landscape. The city is home to attractions dedicated to the art and history of the region.
In the surrounding area of Ouro Preto, the natural beauty is exuberant, especially the Itacolomi State Park.
The Hotel Solar do Rosário and the Hotel Recanto da Serra are great hotel options in Ouro Preto.
4. Diamantina
Surrounded by natural landscapes, Diamantina is a city with a charming historical center with colonial mansions and churches.
The city is also home to museums that show the history of Brazil and the region.
5. Inhotim – Brumadinho
Minas Gerais Brazil: Top Destinations – Photo Credit: Carolina Munemasa
Inhotim is one of the must-see attractions in Minas Gerais state.
It is an outdoor contemporary art museum located in Brumadinho, 54.7 km (34 miles) from Belo Horizonte.
Located in a privileged location, amid the rich biomes of the Atlantic Forest and the tropical savanna of cerrado, the museum is home to around 700 works by more than 60 artists coming from different countries.
6. Serra da Canastra – São Roque de Minas
São Roque de Minas is part of the Canastra tourist circuit, known for its famous cheese and Serra da Canastra National Park.
The landscape of the region has rocky fields, typical cerrado, and Atlantic forest vegetation.
7. Tiradentes
Minas Gerais Brazil: Top Destinations – Photo Credit: Izabelly Marques
Tiradentes is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and is one of the best-preserved historic cities in Brazil.
The city has charming narrow stone streets, baroque churches, and colonial mansions.
8. Conceição do Ibitipoca
Conceição do Ibitipoca is a district of Lima Duarte with a mountainous charm, and the Ibitipoca State Park is the main attraction in the region.
The park is a paradise full of waterfalls, natural pools, caves, and walls, surrounded by hills.
The district has several options for chalets to stay like the Pousada Janela do Céu and the Pousada Meu Recanto.
9. Monte Verde
Monte Verde is a romantic and welcoming destination in Minas Gerais located close to the São Paulo state border, making it a popular weekend getaway destination from São Paulo city.
The city offers trails, viewpoints, and numerous options for small shops, restaurants, chocolate boutiques, hotels, and guesthouses.
The Kuriuwa Hotel, the Pousada Spa Mirante da Colyna, and the Hotel Saint Michel are just some of the excellent hotel options in the city.
10. São Lourenço | Carmo de Minas
São Lourenço is a city known for its mineral waters with therapeutic and medicinal properties.
The Parque das Águas, with fountains, showers, baths, and the Coffee Route in neighboring Carmo de Minas, are among the top attractions and highlights.
The Coffee Route consists of getting to know the coffee production process, from the harvest in the foot to the cup. The tour offers coffee tasting with snacks from Minas Gerais recipes, including the delicious Brazilian cheese bread.
Featured Photo Credit: Jeff
Minas Gerais Brazil Map
Largest Cities in Minas Gerais Brazil
Belo Horizonte – Photo Credit: fpcamp
- Belo Horizonte – 2.521.564
- Uberlândia – 699.097
- Contagem – 668.949
- Juiz de Fora – 573.285
- Betim – 444.784
- Montes Claros – 413.487
- Ribeirão das Neves – 338.197
- Uberaba – 337.092
- Governador Valadares – 281.046
- Ipatinga – 265.409
- Sete Lagoas – 241.835
- Divinópolis – 240.408
- Santa Luzia – 220.444
- Ibirité – 182.153
- Poços de Caldas – 168.641
- Patos de Minas – 153.585
- Pouso Alegre – 152.549
- Teófilo Otoni – 140.937
- Barbacena – 138.204
- Sabará – 137.125
- Varginha – 136.602
- Vespasiano – 129.765
- Conselheiro Lafaiete – 129.606
- Itabira – 120.904
- Araguari – 117.825
Source: Wikipedia – Largest Cities in Minas Gerais
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See also
11 Popular & Gourmet Brazilian Coffee Brands
14 Best Brazilian Chocolate Brands
