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Campinas is a large city in the interior of São Paulo state, Brazil, about 99 km northwest of the state capital, famous for its grand Metropolitan Cathedral, the Taquaral Lagoon park and its role as one of Brazil's leading centres of science, technology and universities.
Founded in 1774, Campinas grew rich in the 19th century on coffee and sugar, and the mansions, churches and railway stations of the coffee barons still stand in its centre. Since the 1930s industry and commerce have driven its growth, and it became the first Brazilian metropolis that is not a state capital.
Visitors admire the cathedral and the tiled Palácio dos Azulejos, snack their way through the Municipal Market and stroll around Taquaral Lagoon and Bosque dos Jequitibás. Nearby, the steam train runs to Jaguariúna, Holambra blooms with flowers and Hopi Hari offers a day of rides. The mild climate makes it pleasant year-round.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Campinas, inaugurated in 1883, faces Praça José Bonifácio, known as Largo da Catedral, in the centre of Campinas. Its towering facade and richly carved wooden altars make it one of the most impressive churches in the interior of São Paulo state.
Basílica do Carmo, the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, stands on Largo do Carmo in the centre of Campinas, on the site of the original parish church around which the city grew after its founding in 1774. Its tall Gothic Revival spire makes it a landmark of the old centre.
Palácio dos Azulejos, the former mansion of the Baron of Itatiba, stands at the corner of Ferreira Penteado and Regente Feijó streets in the centre of Campinas. It takes its name from the Portuguese tiles that cover its upper floor, a reminder of the wealth of the city's coffee barons.
Campinas Municipal Market, known as the Mercadão, is a historic market hall in the centre of Campinas, opened in the early 20th century. Stalls under its arches sell tropical fruit, spices, cheeses and herbs, and its snack bars are famous for pastel and other local treats. Go early on weekdays.
Taquaral Lagoon is the heart of Parque Portugal, the most famous park in Campinas, where a large lake is circled by walking and cycling paths. A replica of a Portuguese caravel floats on the water, a vintage electric tram runs through the park, and on Sundays the avenue around it closes to traffic.
Bosque dos Jequitibás is one of the oldest parks in Campinas, created in the 1880s, with a patch of native Atlantic Forest named after its giant jequitibá trees. Shady paths lead to a small zoo, a natural history museum, an aquarium and a children's theatre, drawing about a million visitors a year.
Estação Cultura is the former main railway station of Campinas, a handsome 19th-century building that once served the coffee railways of São Paulo state. Restored as a cultural centre, it hosts exhibitions, concerts and fairs, and its old platforms make a striking setting.
Torre do Castelo is a castle-shaped water tower on a hilltop in the Castelo district of Campinas, and one of the city's best-known landmarks. A viewing deck near the top gives wide views over the city and the surrounding hills, and it is especially popular at sunset.
Holambra is a small town about 40 km north of Campinas founded by Dutch immigrants, its name joining Holland, America and Brazil. It is the largest producer of flowers and ornamental plants in Latin America, and its Expoflora festival each spring fills the town with colourful flower displays.
Hopi Hari is a large theme park in Vinhedo, about 30 km from Campinas, designed as an imaginary country with its own president, capital and language spoken by its staff. Roller coasters, water rides and themed areas make it one of the biggest amusement parks in Latin America.
The Campinas–Jaguariúna Steam Train is a heritage railway run by the Brazilian Railway Preservation Association, with steam locomotives pulling vintage carriages from Anhumas station in Campinas to Jaguariúna, about 25 km away. The ride passes old stations and farms of the former coffee lands.
Joaquim Egídio is a green rural district of Campinas, set among hills east of the city, with old coffee farms, waterfalls and quiet country roads popular with cyclists. On weekends its small square fills with visitors enjoying bars, restaurants and live music, a short drive from the city.
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