Ouro Preto in 7 days

A perfectly preserved colonial gold-rush town of baroque churches and cobbled hills in Minas Gerais. Best time to visit: April-September (dry, mild). Average daily budget: $35 to $100 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Praça Tiradentes, The central plaza ringed by museums, cafés and the town's main landmarks.

Morning: Visit São Francisco de Assis. See Aleijadinho's baroque masterpiece church and its carvings.

Afternoon: Explore Praça Tiradentes, The central plaza ringed by museums, cafés and the town's main landmarks.

Evening: Catch a hilltop viewpoint. Climb for panoramas over red rooftops and baroque towers.

Eat: Comida mineira feasts of pork, beans, couve and tutu

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Antônio Dias, Historic quarter home to Aleijadinho's masterpiece church of São Francisco.

Morning: Marvel at Igreja do Pilar. Take in one of Brazil's most gold-laden church interiors.

Afternoon: Explore Antônio Dias, Historic quarter home to Aleijadinho's masterpiece church of São Francisco.

Evening: Explore Praça Tiradentes. Start at the central square and its Inconfidência museum.

Eat: Frango com quiabo (chicken with okra) in a clay pot

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Pilar, District of the dazzling gold-covered Nossa Senhora do Pilar church.

Morning: Tour a gold mine. Descend into the Mina do Chico Rei or Mina da Passagem.

Afternoon: Explore Pilar, District of the dazzling gold-covered Nossa Senhora do Pilar church.

Evening: Browse soapstone workshops. Watch artisans carve the region's signature stone crafts.

Eat: Pão de queijo, the cheese bread born in Minas Gerais

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Rosário, Hillside neighbourhood with the church built by enslaved Africans.

Morning: The gilded interior of the small Nossa Senhora do Carmo church.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Rosário, Hillside neighbourhood with the church built by enslaved Africans.

Evening: Traditional Minas cooking at a fogão a lenha wood-stove restaurant.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Local cachaça and doce de leite sweets

Day 5, Day trip

Base: São Cristóvão, Quieter residential slopes with sweeping views over the town.

Morning: Sunset over the town from the São Francisco de Paula church steps.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore São Cristóvão, Quieter residential slopes with sweeping views over the town.

Evening: Cachaça tastings from the surrounding Minas Gerais countryside.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Comida mineira feasts of pork, beans, couve and tutu

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Praça Tiradentes, The central plaza ringed by museums, cafés and the town's main landmarks.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Praça Tiradentes, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Praça Tiradentes, The central plaza ringed by museums, cafés and the town's main landmarks.

Evening: Dinner at Frango com quiabo (chicken with okra) in a clay pot, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Praça Tiradentes.

Eat: Frango com quiabo (chicken with okra) in a clay pot

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Antônio Dias, Historic quarter home to Aleijadinho's masterpiece church of São Francisco.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Antônio Dias, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Antônio Dias, Historic quarter home to Aleijadinho's masterpiece church of São Francisco.

Evening: Dinner at Pão de queijo, the cheese bread born in Minas Gerais, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Antônio Dias.

Eat: Pão de queijo, the cheese bread born in Minas Gerais

Hidden gems

The gilded interior of the small Nossa Senhora do Carmo church.
Traditional Minas cooking at a fogão a lenha wood-stove restaurant.
Sunset over the town from the São Francisco de Paula church steps.
Cachaça tastings from the surrounding Minas Gerais countryside.

Getting around

Ouro Preto's compact historic centre is best explored on foot, but be prepared: the town is famously hilly, with steep cobbled streets that are beautiful but demanding, so wear comfortable, grippy shoes and take the climbs slowly. Most churches, museums and squares are within walking distance of the central Praça Tiradentes, though reaching some requires a stiff climb or descent. Taxis and ride-hailing can help you skip the toughest hills or reach outlying sights and mines. To get to Ouro Preto, most travellers come from Belo Horizonte, around 100 kilometres and roughly two hours away by bus or car, with frequent bus services and easy connections from Belo Horizonte's airport. Within town, walking remains the main way to soak up the atmosphere.

Safety

Ouro Preto is a historic university town that is generally safe for visitors, families and solo travellers, with a lively, friendly atmosphere; standard Brazilian city precautions are enough, keep valuables discreet, stay aware at night and stick to well-lit, populated streets. The bigger day-to-day challenge here is physical: the steep, uneven cobbled streets can be slippery, especially in the rain, so wear sturdy shoes with good grip and watch your footing on descents. Pace yourself on the climbs, carry water, and use taxis for the steepest stretches if needed. Gold-mine tours are well organised but involve confined spaces, so follow guides' instructions. With normal care and sensible footwear, most visitors find Ouro Preto safe and rewarding.

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