Curitiba Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil)

Curitiba is a busy city and comes with a good selection of attractions for sightseeing tourists. However, it should be noted that a number of the city's sights and places of interest do tend to close on Mondays.

A notable family attraction founded in 1982, the Parque Regional do Iguacu is located on the Avenida Marechal Floriano Peixoto, where it serves as the biggest urban park in the whole of Brazil, covering around 2,000 acres / 800 hectares. Additional Curitiba attractions include the beautiful Jardim Botanico (Botanic Gardens), the ancient ruins of Sao Francisco, and a somewhat bewildering and rather overwhelming choice of theatres.

Jardim Botanico (Botanic Gardens)

Address: Rua Engenheiro Ostoja Roguski, Bairro do Jardim Botanico, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 041 3362 1800
An iconic symbol of Curitiba that regularly appears in promotional material, the Jardim Botanico features a series of formal French-inspired gardens, with nearby clipped hedges and endless carpets of flowers. The centrepiece is made up of a curvaceous art-nouveau style glasshouse, which towers over the surrounding gardens and contains numerous tropical plant collections, many of which are indigenous. Other attractions include lakes, waterfalls, fountains, sculptures, forest trails and the Museu Botanico de Curitiba (Botanical Museum), which houses various exhibitions, a theatre and a well-stocked library.
Open hours: daily, September to March - 06:00 to 21:00; April to August - 06:00 to 20:00
Admission: free

Parque Regional do Iguacu / Zoológico (Iguacu Park / Zoo)

Address: Avenida Marechal Floriano Peixoto, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 041 3378 1221
The spacious Parque Regional do Iguacu is divided into a group of different attractions, which include sports facilities, fishing, woodland trails, orchards and the Zoológico. Iguacu Park's extremely popular zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals originating from throughout Latin America. On fine days, the park's river beach area and barbecue pits quickly fill up with sunseekers.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 08:30 to 16:00, Saturday and Sunday - 08:30 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children

Theatres

Address: Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, BR
If you are looking for evening entertainment, then the theatres of Curitiba are worth considering. Located on the Rua 15 de Novembro, next to the Praca Santos Andrade, the Centro Cultural Teatro Guaira (Guaira Theatre Cultural Centre) is one of South America's largest, being able to accommodate audiences of around 3,000 people within its three auditoriums. Dating back to 1900 and rebuilt in 1952, regular shows are staged here, with performances by the Paraná Symphony Orchestra and the Teatro de Comédia do Paraná (Paraná Comedy Theatre Group).

Standing within the Prado Velho neighbourhood, the Teatro Paiol (Barn Theatre) is an important cultural space occupying a circular building that once functioned as an military arsenal. Built in 1875, the Teatro Paiol was converted to its present-day use in 1971, creating a spacious auditorium capable of seating 225 people.
Open hours: daily - hours vary according to performance
Admission: charge, discounts for seniors and children

Other Parks and Gardens

Address: Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, BR
Curitiba is a very green city and its list of parks and gardens is almost endless. Although the Jardim Botanico does stand out in particular, with its immaculate planting and beautiful seasonal flower displays, many others really do warrant a mention and if you have the time, a visit. These include the following:

• Barigui Park - this is one of Curitiba's biggest, covering more than 345 acres / 140 hectares and home to a plethora of native animals, including wild guinea pigs and skunks.
• Barreirinha Park - a beautiful green space with many Brazilian plants, such as araucarias and bracatinga trees. Families will enjoy the library, play area, barbecue facilities and woodland trails in the adjacent Municipal Forest.
• German Woods - located in the Seminário district and covering an area of around 10 acres / 4 hectares, with attractions including a wooden church and the Bach's Oratorium concert hall.
• Gutierrez Wood - sited on the Albino Raschendorfer and home to the Amazonica School, the Chico Mendes Memorial and the Dadá Dolls Theatre.
• Italian Woods - on the Rua Margarida Angela Zardo Miranda, an important part of the city's vibrant Italian community, where many local celebrations take place.
• Japan Square (Praca do Japao) - residing on the Avenida Sete de Setembro in the Agua Verde neighbourhood, and lined with 30 mature cherry trees. The Japan Square home to a Tea House, koi ponds and oriental lanterns.
• Passaúna Park - covering some 1,600 acres / 600 hectares within the Passaúna Basin, on the western side of Curitiba, with much of the space being occupied by a large reservoir.
• Pope's Wood - lying on the Rua Wellington Oliveira Vianna and home to the Polish Immigration Memorial, which comprises seven log houses.
• Portugal Wood - on the Rua Ozório Duque Estrada, with pathways following a meandering stream and featuring tiles with carefully chosen quotes by famous Portuguese poets.
• Public Promenade - the very first park to be opened in Curitiba, being inaugurated in 1886 by Paraná's president, with lakes, bridges and a small zoo.
• Reinhard Maack Wood - located on the Rua André Ferreira Camargo, known for its strong ecological and conservational ethic.
• Tanguá Park (Parque Tanguá) - a beautiful urban space occupying the site of a former quarry. A long tunnel connects the remaining quarry areas, while other attractions include jogging trails, cycleways, an observatory and the Poty Lazzarotto Garden.
• Tingui Park (Parque Tingui) - next to the Barigui River, sympathetically landscaped to pay tribute to the Indians who once lived here. Highlights include the Tindiquera Chieftain statue, an orthodox church and the Ukrainian Memorial.
• Tropeiros Park - open at the weekends only and located on the Rua Maria Lúcia Locher de Athayde, preserving the local gaucho culture, since cattle drivers once passed through here.

Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Sao Francisco Ruins

Address: Praca Joao Candido, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, BR
The stone ruins of Sao Francisco are located on the Praca Joao Candido and filled with history and legends. This structure was destined to become the Igreja de Sao Francisco de Paula (Church of St. Francis of Paola), and in fact in 1811, both the sacristy and the chapel elements were completed. However, in 1860, the stones allocated to finish the church were used in the building of the Catedral Basilica Menor de Nossa Senhora da Luz (Basilica Cathedral Minor of Our Lady of Light). Locals enjoy telling stories of the pirates who used to live here in the tunnels. Today, various leisure attractions, shops and offices comprise the 'Ruins Arcades'.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free