Which one to choose in Sao Paulo
Two churches in Sao Paulo. Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida has 2 tickets and tours to book; Sao Paulo Cathedral has 1 ticket or tour to book. The table and the two notes below put them side by side; the full pages have what to see, the ticket and the timing for each.
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Entry to the basilica and the crypt is free, as it must be for a shrine that receives around twelve million pilgrims a year. Paid extras are minor: a lift to the viewing gallery in the tower, a small museum of ex-votos and the panoramic chapel, each costing a token sum. Day trips from Sao Paulo cost a moderate amount and cover the two-hour drive each way along the Dutra highway; buses from Sao Paulo's Tiete terminal run hourly and are cheaper.
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Entry to the cathedral is free. The crypt below, with the tombs of the archbishops and of the indigenous chief Tibirica who helped found the city, charges a token sum and is entered from inside. Guided tours are offered by the parish at set times and cost little. City walking tours of the historic centre include the cathedral and cost several times that; the area around Praca da Se is busy and requires the usual big-city attention to belongings, which is why many visitors prefer a guide.
| Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida | Sao Paulo Cathedral | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Basilica | Cathedral |
| Height | 100 m | 92 m |
| Opened | 1955 | 1913 |
| Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide | 2 | 1 |
| Official website | yes | yes |