Porto Alegre
Eco-friendly travel guide to Porto Alegre advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
- Air quality: 3.3 / 5
- Exploring by foot: 3.8 / 5
- Exploring by bicycle: 3.9 / 5
- Public transportation: 4 / 5
- Parks: 4 / 5
- Outdoor activities: 3.9 / 5
- Locals' English level: 4 / 5
- Safety: 4 / 5
- Accommodation: US$900 - $1100
- Budget per day: US$500 - $700
Contents
Responsible Travel
Eco-friendly travel guide to Porto Alegre advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally-owned hotels, organic restaurants, and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The capital city of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil, Porto Alegre is known to be the birthplace of great writers, politicians, intellectuals, artists, and episodes that marked the history of Brazil. The city lies near the Atlantic Ocean coast at the northern end of the freshwater Patos Lagoon along the coastline of the lagoon known as the Guaiba River. The city becomes known worldwide through hosting the World University Games. The city was one of the host cities of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, having previously been a venue for the 1950 FIFA World Cup. It is the twelfth most populous city in the country and the center of Brazil's fifth-largest metropolitan area. The city is known as a gateway to the tall canyons of Aparados da Serra National Park. On the main square, Praca Marechal Deodoro, is the Renaissance-style Metropolitan Cathedral, with religious murals on the outside. The 19th century Sao Pedro Theatre is located nearby. The neoclassical Piratini Palace houses the state government. This city is also the second-largest city in southern Brazil, it is an important industrial center in the area.
- Being an eco-friendly tourist, you should opt to stay in the green hotels that are available across the city. Its positive role to use recyclable goods helps to reduce the waste and maintain the pollution level to a limit.
- Make sure you do not cause any destruction to the historical monuments. Keep them well maintained by avoiding writing and drawing on the walls of the ancient preservations.
- You should always try to adapt all the necessary methods that can assist you to maintain the freshness of the environment. Doing this will help you to fulfill the duty of a responsible tourist.
- Use eco-friendly modes of transportation such as walking or bicycles to explore the short-distance localities inside the city.
* Make sure you wisely use the resources available across the city. This will help to preserve the resources for the locals so they can use them in the future.
- You should visit the national parks to experience the wildlife that is reserved, apart from exploring the major attractions of the city. Also, you can enjoy the beauty of nature in the widely spread environment of flora.
- To contribute positively to the economy of the locals, make sure to visit the local markets for food and lodging.
- Using local transport to explore the city will provide support to the transportation system in the city. Therefore, rented cars and taxis are some of the best options.
- You must opt to taste the street foods served in the city lanes. This will help you to understand the traditions of the city.
- You should consider scouting non-popular areas to make them familiar among the other visitors. This will help you to highlight the unknown places. Further, it supports the hidden shops of these areas and helps to earn.
- To explore all the attractive destinations you should consider using public transports that are widely available in the city.
- As an eco-friendly tourist, you should follow some of the positive steps to effectively contribute your role to the environment of the city, in addition to providing support to the locals.
Air Quality and Pollution
The air quality of Port Alegre is moderately unsafe. There are some regions in the city, where the pollution level keeps fluctuating. Motor vehicles are responsible for the main atmospheric pollutant emissions. Therefore, the city has the second-worst air quality in Brazil, after Sao Paulo. So, the government has taken important steps to emit the harmful gases that come out from the various machines extensively used in the city. These authorities have asked the public to use low fuel-based gadgets for regular use. Also, the same is has been considered for the public transports. The use of new buses along dedicated busways has decreased pollutants as there is less idling time. SMAM (the Municipal Council of the Environment) has encouraged the use of the cleanest fuels and has played a role in monitoring pollution levels. The government is effectively working on the procedure to fulfill the target of controlling the pollution rate in the city. hence, a partnership between SMAM, the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, the State Environmental Protection Foundation (FEPAM), and Petrobrás has created a network of five air monitoring stations in Porto Alegre. They are working to keep the air quality level at a proper rate so that the city air remains pollution-free. By utilizing a Petrobrás product called city diesel, sulfur levels in the air have dropped from 1.2 percent to 0.5 percent. Hybrid buses which run on both diesel and electricity are also being considered for the future. Because Porto Alegre has a ready supply of natural gas, the city's taxi fleet is gradually being converted to it from gasoline. The constantly applied measures have assisted to provide a better life in the city. At the present date, the air quality, and pollution are very much in control. Therefore, you can plan a comfortable trip to Porto Alegre.
Respect the Culture
Porto Alegre is known for preserving the history of Brazil. The famous Rio Grande do Sul Museum of Art (MARGS) displays the rich culture and heritage of the city. With an eclectic style, the building was designed by German architect Theo Wiederspahn. Originally, it was the headquarters of the Fiscal Surveillance Agency of the Federal Revenue Office. But nowadays, it is known to host the largest public collection of artworks in the Rio Grande do Sul. A wide range of cultural events is held in Porto Alegre. Events like Porto Verao Alegre held during the summer take place in the city. This celebration consists of a number of performances and exhibitions. Farroupilha Week is another cultural celebration that takes place in mid-September. It is celebrated with parades, food, and musical exhibitions. The Farroupilha camps take place in Harmonia Park, where thousands of people set up their tents and eat typical food to commemorate the Farroupilha Revolution. The Worldwide Pinhole Photography, which is an international event created to promote and celebrate the art of pinhole photography is celebrated in the city. This event is held each year on the last Sunday in April. Next is the Mercosur Biennial Exhibition, which is held in Porto Alegre every two years between October and December. This is an important art and cultural event that attracts a large number of people as well. The Carnival held in Porto Alegre holds extensive festivities during the period immediately preceding Lent. Among them, there is an Escola de Samba contest that features Academia de Samba Puro, Bambas da Orgia, Fidalgos e Aristocratas Academicos da Orgia, Império da Zona Norte, Impeadores do the Samba, and Estado Maior da Restinga. One of the most important Carnival personalities is King Momo. At the beginning of the carnival, mainly held in February, he receives the keys to the city from the Mayor of Porto Alegre, symbolically governing the Carnival during the four days of revelry. Vincente Rao was the most popular King Momo.
Top 10 Places to Visit
Porto Alegre is one of the best cities for tourist attractions. It holds several sites of attractions and people from across the world visit this place. There you will get some beautiful spots that have the most attractive views for your holiday trip. So, continue to read to check some of the interesting names that are worth visiting, during your tour to the city.
- The Rio Grande do Sul Memorial – This museum displays a huge collection of objects, documents, prints, maps, and other items that are related to the state's history. Its building was designed by Theodor Wiederspahn and known as one of the finest examples of eclectic architecture in the city.
- Metropolitan Cathedral – The Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady Mother of God is also called Catedral Metropolitana de Porto Alegre is a cathedral of the Catholic Church. It is located in the city center, in the Praça da Matriz in Porto Alegre. This Baroque-style cathedral was designed by an unknown architect and has two bell towers flanking the main entrance. It is a neoclassical cathedral from the early 20th century.
- PUCRS Science and Technology Museum – This is a Brazilian museum, which is operated by the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS). It is the only interactive museum of natural sciences in Latin America and one of the best in the world. It offers activities for all ages and showing areas of trial-attractions on the universe, Earth, environment and man, and others.
- Moinhos de Vento Park – Popularly known as Parcao, this is a well-known park located in the Moinhos de Vento neighborhood in Porto Alegre. Its structure consists of volleyball, tennis, and soccer fields, a playground, a kid’s library, gym equipment, a pond with fish, turtles, and ducks, and a replica of an Azorean windmill. This park also features a monument commemorating Castelo Branco. It is also known as Windmills Park.
- Guaiba Lake – This is a waterway in the Rio Grande do Sul and is famous for its beautiful reflection at sunset. The Jacqui River, the Sinos River, the Gravatai River, and the Cai River provide water to the Guaiba from the north. With an extension of the Lagoa dos Patos, this is the largest lagoon in Brazil.
- Statue of Lacador – This is a monument of the city of Porto Alegre. It is made of bronze and the statue has a pedestal of granite keystone. Further, this statue was declared as a historic heritage of Porto Alegre.
- Marechal Deodoro Square – This is a landmark situated in the heart of Porto Alegre’s downtown. It is surrounded by its catholic Cathedral, Piratini Palace, Assembleia Legislativa, Justice Court, and Teatro Sao Pedro. With nice trees and a remarkable column, there is a monument with plenty of positivist symbols that honors one state´s former governor.
- Padre Chagas – It is the Miami's Lincoln Road of Porto Alegre. It is a great place to discover the nightlife culture, the high fashion, and the hip crowd of Porto Alegre. Besides, there are several shops, bars, and restaurants and some of the best restaurants in Porto Alegre are located in this area.
- Piratini Palace – Better known as Praça da Matriz, this is the historic center of Porto Alegre. Further, it is also the current headquarters of the Executive Branch of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. It has been considered a State Historic and Artistic Heritage.
- Estadlo Beira-Rio – This is a football stadium in Port Alegre, located beside the Guaiba River. It is named after José Pinheiro Borda, an elderly Portuguese engineer who supervised the building of the stadium. This stadium serves as the home stadium for Sport Club International. Besides, it is also the second biggest stadium in the Rio Grande do Sul state and also in South Brazil.
Explore
Above are the mentioned top ten tourist attractions, which you can opt to pay a visit while traveling to Porto Alegre. In addition, there are some other places in the city like parks and museums that you can consider checking out during your tour in the city. Here is a list of such places that you can explore.
City Parks
- Farroupilha Park – Designed by French architect Alfred Agache, this is a major urban park in the city of Porto Alegre. It is also known as Parque da Redencao. Several activities are offered in this park that are worth visiting. The park includes Araujo Viana Auditorium, Brique da Redencao, Recanto da Ilha, Monumento ao Expedicionario, and Espelho D’Agua.
- Germania Park – This Park is said to be the best park for sports. It is good for jogging as the lanes are measured and labeled. Its greenery and well-maintained atmosphere make it a good place to perform activities like biking, skating, laying, walking dogs.
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National Parks
- Lagoa do Peixe National Park – This Park is administered by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation and covers parts of the municipalities of Mostardas, Sao Jose do Norte, and Tavares in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. It is classified as IUCN protected area category II. The basic objectives are the preservation of natural ecosystems of great ecological relevance and scenic beauty. It also enables scientific research, environmental education, outdoor recreation, and eco-tourism. Also, this park was recognized as an International Reserve of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.
Beaches
- Ipanema Beach – This beach is located on the bank of Guaiba Lake. It has some fascinating views of the sunset that reflects beautifully on the sparkling waters of the river. Therefore, it is a great place to relax the atmosphere and cool breeze of the waterside.
- Torres Beach – Located in the city of Torres, on the northern coast of Rio Grande do Sul, this beach is a great choice for a visit to the beaches in the mild climate of Brazil. Tourism is widely developed in this region and it has thrived. Young people, as well as families, come together to enjoy the beaches in Torres, where surf lovers are sure to catch good waves.
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Landmarks
- Ibere Camargo Foundation – This is an iconic landmark situated in the southern part of Porto Alegre. The Ibere Camargo Foundation houses the permanent installation of gaucho artist Ibere Camargo. It also hosts traveling exhibitions which change several times a year. The building was designed by Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza and was opened in 2008 to offers views of the Guaiba River along with the downtown Porto Alegre.
- Luiz Carlos Prestes’ Memorial – Projected by Oscar Niemeyer, this memorial is a recent addition to the city's cultural landscape. Besides, the wall presentation of Prestes' life, a hall for cultural, social, and political events is placed to the citizens of Porto Alegre.
Museums
- Julio de Castilhos Museum – This museum was created in 1903 and is the oldest museum in the state. Its collection comprises thousands of pieces related to the local history, from Indian relics to objects, and iconography about the Ragamuffin War and the Paraguayan War. In addition, there is an important section that displays the fine sculptures from the Jesuitic Reductions.
- Joaquim Jose Felizardo Museum – This is an important museum with a large collection of archaeological artifacts and photography of Porto Alegre's old times. It is a historical building, dating between 1845 and 1855, is one of the few intact relics of colonial architecture inside the modern urban environment.
Eat
Being a part of Brazil, Porto Alegre is known for serving Brazilian cuisines. One of the most famous foods of Brazil, churrasco, which is slow-grilled and roasted meat, originated in the Rio Grande do Sul is offered by the city. It includes a Brazilian barbecue method in which juicy pieces, steaks, chops, and slices of a variety of meats like lamb, chicken, beef, pork, and veal are placed on big skewers and then grilled over a wood fire. It is quite popular among the locals and visitors love to taste it. But the local cuisine is widely popular across the city. The rice and beans are a must on the southern tables beside Italian and German dishes. The Gaucho Potato salad is basically a Mayonnaise Salad, which is served with churrasco barbecue. This salad is made with a combination of potatoes, carrots, peas, corn, thinly sliced green apples, raisins, and mayonnaise. Another popular dish available extensively in Porto Alegre is the Rump steaks, which is made with the meat of Picanha (situated on the backside of the animal, above the butt). Bauru is also a famous fast food of Brazil that is widely served by the city too. It is a sandwich consisting of a crusty bread roll without the soft bread inside, stuffed with melted cheese, tomatoes, sliced pickles, and roast beef. Sagu is an unusual Brazilian alcohol-infused dessert made with tapioca, which is one of the oldest starch sources found in South America. This sweet concoction is made with tapioca pearls that are round-shaped, chewy ingredients gained from tapioca starch. A unique style of cooking is used to prepare sagu, in which the pearls are cooked in wine until all of the liquid is absorbed and the pearls turn dark red.
Traditional Local Restaurants
- Peppo Cucina – Located in Rua Dona Laura, Rio Branco in Porto Alegre, this famous restaurant is known for serving Italian, European, and Mediterranean dishes. The place has a classic ambiance along with offering great wine. The food served here is known for its delicious taste. The staffs are friendly and work attentively.
- POA Parrilla – This well-known restaurant is situated in Praca Doutor Mauricio Cardoso, Terrero, in Porto Alegre. They serve great dishes, which including a steakhouse, barbecue, and Argentinean. You will get a great variety of foods for lunch and dinner. The ambiance is cozy with decent décor. It is a good place to enjoy dining with friends and family. The price is reasonable and you will surely not be disappointed.
Vegetarian and Vegan
- Urban Farmcy – This vegan restaurant is situated in Rua Hilario Ribeiro in Porto Alegre. It is known for serving super delicious foods that are equally healthy. The variety of dishes offered here are quite popular in the city. With various vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, they provide the best quality food at an affordable price. Besides the ambiance is calm and decent. The staffs are friendly too.
- Quintanilha Restaurant – Situated in Rua Coronel Vicente, this restaurant is known for serving Brazilian cuisine with multiple food options. The vegan and vegetarian dishes served here are lip-smacking. The ambiance is pretty good with decent arrangements. You can opt to visit this place with your friends and family to enjoy the great taste of Brazil. The prices are quite pocket-friendly too.
Street Food
- Consuela’s Brownies – This place is located in Rua de Outubro, Loja in Porto Alegre. It is a parklet with music and brownie. There are tables on the sidewalk. Inside the store, there is a small space. Being covered with trees, this parklet has more atmosphere. The delights that are offered are worth trying. This is one of the best to try out the street foods of the city with the enjoyment of open space.
- Uruguayan Pancho – Located in Avenida Borges de Medeiros in Porto Alegre, this place is famous for offering great South American dishes along with delicious street food. This place is in the center of POA is really quite picturesque. It is a simple and cozy place with a wonderful Uruguayan Pancho. There are no tables on-site, just a counter, which is enough for a quick snack. The price is quite reasonable.
Drink
Being a popular city in Brazil, Porto Alegre serves some famous drinks that are not only known in the city but throughout the country. The national distilled spirit of the country, cachaca is a must-try when in any parts of the country. This drink is good and can be enjoyed sipped to appreciate the flavor. One of the most pleasant ways of drinking cachaça is during the June Festivals, where it is served hot with spices such as cinnamon sticks, cloves, and ginger, and with orange or lime peel. This type of mulled cachaca is known as Quentao. Another famous drink of Brazil is the Caipirinha. It is a cocktail and is mainly served as one of the most refreshing alcoholic beverages during hot days. The original caipirinha is made from cachaca, sugar, lime juice, and plenty of ice. Besides, other fruits are also used in common such as strawberry, passion fruit, and pineapple. Further, there is various traditional caipirinha that is worth trying. One is the caipiroska, which is made using vodka instead of cachaca. Another is the sakerinha or Caipirinha de saque, which is made with the Japanese spirit, sake, which makes an even sweeter alternative. Caldo de Cana is a pure sugar cane juice. Traditionally, this drink is served with a freshly-fried pastel at the farmer’s market on a Sunday. Guarana is a popular soft drink in Brazil, distinguished by the bright green can. It is high in caffeine and sugar, which has turned into a popular energy supplement. It is flavored with the fruit guarana and has a mild sweet taste that is a mix of apples and berries. Chimarrao is another popular drink, which is a caffeine-rich hot drink that is made using the dried leaves of yerba mate. Terere is the cold version of Chimarrao and is equally famous in the country. Other popularly available drinks include cajuina, xiboquinha, coconut water, vitamina, and coffee.
Tap-water
The water quality of Porto Alegre is moderately safe to drink. Locals here refer to use tap water for drinks and other purposes. There are regions where the quality of water is not suitable for the new visitors. Hence, being a tourist make sure to know about the usability of the tap water to feel assured about the water quality. Therefore, you can consider asking the locals about the quality of tap water that flows in different regions of the city. Besides, you can opt to drink bottled water that is easily available in the city at a reasonable price.
Organic Cafés
- Bittersweet Café – Located in Rua Sarmento Leite in Porto Alegre, this café is very charming with a unique and stylish design. It offers great coffee that will definitely suit your taste buds and make it stress-free. With a great atmosphere and decent ambiance, this café is a perfect place to spend your evening. You can opt to pay a visit here with your friends, family, or partner. The prices are quite reasonable and the services are great.
- Baden Special Café – This café is situated in Avenida Jeronimo de Ornelas, Santana in Porto Alegre. It is known for serving amazing coffee with fine-quality coffee beans. The atmosphere is quite pleasant as the space is filled with the aroma of the roasted beans. It offers a variety of options for brunch. With friendly staff and decent ambiance along with outdoor seating, this café experiences numerous visitors.
Breweries
- Baldhead Brewery – This is a craft brewery located in the brewery district of Porto Alegre. They are quite famous in the city and are known for offering great quality beer with superior taste. Its nice atmosphere and fair price attract the locals as well as the tourists. You can opt to visit the factory or shop and have fun at events that are held on Saturdays. It is celebrated with lots of music and food trucks. Further, you can do tastings and consider a guided tour.
- Brewery Eight – This is a great brewery located in the Anchieta neighborhood, a famous brewery itinerary. The place is very pleasant and has familiar airs, including great reception to visitors. In terms of beer, they are the best, both in IPA and APA and PORTER. The price of specialty beers is cheap considering the product offered. It is worth taking a tour of the place and buying some bottles. Hence, this place is highly recommended by the visitors.
Activities
While in the city, you can enjoy the charm and beauty of Gramado and Canela, which are known for their Bavarian-style architecture. This tour takes you to some of the cities' most memorable sights including the Palacio dos Festivais, and Lago Negro in Gramado and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes and Caracol Park in Canela. Featuring handmade crafts, homemade chocolate, and the hallmarks of German culture, these cities offer a look at an often-forgotten side of Brazil's heritage. With easy traveling mean, you can experience to know about the part of the heartland in the Rio Grande do Sul. Further, you can also enjoy a spectacular visit to the historic downtown of Porto Alegre. This tour will assist you to get to know about the storied past and enduring landmarks of one of Brazil's largest cities. Besides the environment is surrounded by buildings, monuments, and museums. You are referred to begin your tour at Matriz Square, where you can find the Porto Alegre Metropolitan Cathedral, Governor's Palace, Sao Pedro Theatre, and Court of Justice. From there, you can head along the waterfront of Guaiba Lake, stopping at the Mario Quintana Cultural Center and Usina do Gasometro. Finally, you will end to tour with a visit to Moinhos de Vento, which is a charming and elegant neighborhood. The White Swan Boat is another reference in the Tourism of the city of Porto Alegre. The Boat is the only floating cultural space of Rio Grande do Sul and has a restaurant and nightclub structure, with lunch options, dinners, cocktails, social and corporate events. It runs along with the main Guaiba islands, leaving from Oporto Pier. Besides tourism, it has a cultural focus, with a locution that illustrates its itinerary, telling a little of the history of Porto Alegre.
Yoga and Retreats
There is a number of yoga retreats in Porto Alegre. They are known to assist you to keep your mind relaxed and aid to restore your energy. In addition to other healing retreats, these centers offer you various techniques to gain the energy that you lost after great exploration around the city. These yoga sessions are held every day. Therefore, you can consider taking part in some of them to feel more calm and energetic. Besides, your mind and body will feel composed, after the constant scouting duration in the city. Also, you can opt to practice meditation to get a peaceful mind as you traveled through the city. Many people visit this place to get medicinal treatment through yoga. Hence, do consider selecting the best yoga center available in the city depending on your preferences.
Accommodation
Accommodation is the most vital requirement, while to opt for traveling to different parts of the world. As the city remains crowded with tourists, you will find accommodations ranging from expensive to reasonable ones. Therefore, the options of accommodation that are offered by the city include green hotels, apartments, hostels, and guest houses. They are highly maintained and built with all necessities that can assist you with a place for your stay and help you to get relief from your tiredness. Therefore, you can choose according to your needs.
Green Hotels
Green Hotels are widely available in the city and are known to provide all the basic facilities that any individual gets in an average hotel. The cost of these hotels is usually low or similar to the normal hotels. These hotels play a positive role in the improvement of the city’s atmosphere. Hence, they are very much in demand, especially among eco-friendly tourists. Though they are reasonable if you opt to add advance amenities provided by the hotel management then other surplus charges would be applicable. This might increase the charge of the hotel. Some of the well-known green hotels that you can select for your stay in the city include:
- Hotel Deville Prime Porto Alegre
- Eco Residence Hotel
- Novotel Porto Alegre Airport
- Hotel Laghetto Viverone Moinhos
- Ibis Styles Porto Alegre Centro
- Ibis Porto Alegre airport
Hostels and Guest Houses
The hostels and guest houses available in the city are quite affordable, besides, it provides nearly every facility that you would get in an average hotel. These lodging systems are highly suitable for the ones, who are planning to stay in the city for several weeks. Therefore, you can check various options as per your preference on the online platforms before making any reservations. Here is a list of some of such top lodging options that can be considered for a comfortable and safe stay.
- Brick Hostel
- Tao Station 752
- Hostel and Hostel Poland
- Poa Eco Hostel
- Pousada Agronomia
- Vintage Windmills House
- Residence Pousada Acolhedora
Apartments
Being ranging from low to high cost depending on the locations, various types of apartments are available in the city. They provide all the required facilities and are a great choice for those who are planning to stay in the city for more than a month. Available on a rental basis, these apartments would be the best option of accommodations option for your comfortable stay in the city for business purposes or for study. Therefore, you should consider booking an apartment beforehand to avoid last moment troubles. There are some rental apartments available in the city. They include:
- Atalaia Apartment
- Redemption Apartment
- Port Retro Residence
- Perfect Casemiro Apartment 1
Couchsurfing
A temporary stay with a group of locals, who will assist the tourists with the services of offering them shelter and food during the visit to their home town, is known as Couchsurfing. It is available at a low cost and the tourists will get nearly all the facilities that are required. Hence, it is the best option to get accommodation for the one who doesn’t want to spend much on lodging. Besides being an effective source of saving money from the accommodation, it also assists to explore the culture more attentively. In addition, it will help the travelers to get interact with the locals and get a brief account about the way of living of the locals. Further, it will also help you to learn the local language of the city and scout some of the untouched but amazing features of the city.
Camping
There are no such specific camping sites in the city. But if you want to spend an adventurous and thrilling trip while staying in the city, then you can opt for visiting the camping grounds that are located outside the city or in the neighboring areas of the city. There are some campgrounds in the nearby locations, where you can have fun and admire the beauty of nature. Further, you might also get some basic facilities of restrooms, hotels, and others.
How to Get There
Travelling and modes of transportation in Porto Alegre are well interlinked and highly maintained with various facilities. The most suitable way to get in the city is through the means of airways. Also, if you are traveling from any nearby cities you can prefer metro routes as well. As the city has a great extension of maintained highways, the facility to travel through roads is also good as they are interlinked with several other routes leading to other regions of the city. You can prefer to travel by bus and cars as well. Also, you can opt for taxis to cover the distance inside the city. Besides, the facility of the port is also available.
Air
Salgado Filho International Airport serves commercial flights to most major cities all over Brazil and to smaller cities in the South of the country. There are also international flights to other South American countries, Panama, and Portugal.
Bus
The city has a functioning transportation system, especially the autobuses. Porto Alegre also has mini-buses that run from and to all the main neighborhoods in the city, with sitting-only transport and the possibility to hop on and off at any point but also higher fares. Linha Turística (Tourist Line) is a bus that leaves from Usina do Gasômetro tourist terminal around six times per day. It traverses the various districts of Porto Alegre, for a modest price. Exclusive bus lanes in the median of seven radial corridors that converge on the city center are used by both urban and regional lines.
Train
Porto Alegre has a rapid transit system, which is operated by Trensurb. It links downtown Porto Alegre to its northern neighborhoods and to cities to the north of the metropolitan area, as Canoas, Estero, Sapucaia do Sul, Sao Leopoldo, and Novo Hamburgo. The line has stations at strategic spots including the Public Market, the bus station, the airport, and many other important and urban spots throughout Porto Alegre and the other cities the metro covers.
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is an effective means of traveling when you are opting to reach nearby locations at a minimal cost or sometimes, at free of cost. Taking a lift while on your way to reaching a particular destination has become common across the world. Therefore, Porto Alegre provides the facility of taking a lift from the passer-by who is heading towards the same locations as yours. This helps you to cover the nearby distances with a comfortable ride and in a short time duration. Also, traveling through this mode of transport will assist you to gain a fascinating experience and help you to meet new people too.
Others
The Port of Porto Alegre is situated on the Eastern margin of Guaiba Lake. It lies on the eastern bank of the Guaiba Lake at the point where its waters empty into the huge Lagoa dos Patos, which is one of Brazil's largest ports. To be specific, it is located near the main access roads to Porto Alegre, at a distance from the Salgado Filho International Airport, and has access to the railway station, through the docks of Maua and Navegantes. Its geographical position enables permanent traffic between Porto Alegre and Buenos Aires, transporting steel industry products and mainly agricultural produce.
Moving Around
Being a tourist, you should always opt to go with the transportation options that will help you to spend less money and get the chance to explore more. The city provides various options to get around the city to scout different spots in the city. Besides, getting an idea about the different types of transportation will help you get familiar with transport services available in Porto Alegre. Hence, you can opt for transport services like bicycles, cars, motorcycles, etc.
Walk
Walking is not only the best way of traveling around the city streets and lanes. Not only they help you to explore the interior of the city but also are an eco-friendly way of touring. Also, it is one of the best ways, when you want to explore the nearby market areas without missing anything. In addition, it will also help you to understand the culture of the city. Besides, you will get the chance to meet the locals as you come across the localities while shopping through the paths of the market.
Bicycle
Bikes or bicycles are comparatively cheap and fast modes of traveling as compared to walking. They are considered the most effective way to go around the town.
Electronic Vehicles
There is no service of electronic vehicles the city till date. But, the city is planning to introduce electric cars in the coming years. They are also working to establish charging stations in various regions for the effective running of such vehicles.
Public Bus
The long-distance bus station is located downtown is served by the state, national and international lines. There are daily services that connect Porto Alegre with several other cities inside the country. They also serve destinations such as Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile. It is also connected to a trensurb station and several municipal bus lines.
Tram, Train and Subway
The city has no tram or train routes in the city. But the city offers the facility of the metro. There is a rapid transit system that runs from downtown Porto Alegre to some cities north of the metropolitan area. There are 22 stations, plus 2 stations of the aeromovel. The first 6 stations along with the aeromovel stations are in Porto Alegre. Others are distributed throughout the other cities. The line passes through important places such as the Mercado Público, the Rodoviária (bus station) of Porto Alegre, the Airport, Farrapos Avenue, and other sites of interest in the metropolitan area.
Sustainable Shopping
Shopping is always being an important part of every individual. Opting for places to get something for oneself or for loved ones is highly appreciated. Therefore, the variety of sustainable products available in the markets can be considered for buying as a memory of the city. Hence, the city serves various stores and shops that sell unique items, which can be considered for purchasing gifts.
Food Markets
The Central Public Market is located in Glenio Peres Square, Downtown, in Porto Alegre. It is a neoclassical building that was opened in 1869. With hundreds of shops and stores, this market serves a great variety of options including restaurants, fruit and fish stores, and a famous ice cream parlor. Therefore, you can prefer to visit this market to experience the variety of food available in the city.
Flea Markets
Brique da Redencao is a large flea market located near Parque da Redencao. It is known for selling a variety of authentic gaucho art, crafts, furniture, and hand-made items. It is held every Sunday, from 9 am to 6 pm. You can visit this market to buy various decorating products made with unique styles and carvings.
Second Hand Stores
There are few thrift stores located in Porto Alegre. They are known for offering a big collection of used books, souvenirs such as handicrafts, paintings, and many more. Being an eco-friendly tourist, you should visit these markets to supports the locals of the city. These stores often provide charitable support to the city locals. Brecho Central is one of the famous thrift stores of the city.
Eco-Fashion
Eco-fashion clothes are very much in demand, across the city. There are many fashion brands that are conducting the business of eco-fashion. The clothes manufactured under the label of eco-fashion are made using raw materials that are obtained from organic plants and natural dyes. Hence, they are listed as sustainable clothes. These clothes positively affect the environment and help to maintain an eco-friendly atmosphere. There are some stores and shops in the city where you can get eco-fashion clothes.
Recycling
Porto Alegre was one of the first cities in Brazil to develop a recycling program. It has been acknowledged as having the best management practices in the country. The city produces more than 1000 tonnes of household waste per day. All the non-recyclable waste is disposed of in the landfill sites.
Waste
The daily truck scheme is applied for managing the wastes of the city. They are scheduled over a set of previously defined collection trips, on which the trucks collect solid waste in fixed routes. Further, these waste loads are emptied in one of several operational recycling facilities in the system. These facilities are managed by cooperatives whose members are poor and not part of the mainstream economy. It effectively helps in the waste management program. Besides, the collection of waste helps to keep the city clean and free from impurities.
Work and Study Abroad
The facility of various educational programs is available in the city. They are applicable for the local as well the foreign students. In addition, the city also provides work opportunities to the people who are willing to build their future in Porto Alegre. Hence, you will get a good scope of both conducting work and studying facilities in the city and the nearby locations.
Exchange Student
The colleges and universities of the city provide an exchange student program for foreign as well as local students. Besides, they also assist to provide an effective way of education that includes various programs to be conducted under the college fees. They also aid to provide beneficial methods for foreign students to boost their skills. The locals are also given the chance to freely conduct their studies in other cities across the world. Apart from getting a better education, the scope of learning something new such as the culture and language of the city is also granted.
Au Pair
Porto Alegre offers the options of au pair in the city, which are quite helpful for the people who came to earn a living. Any person can get this facility under which he/she has to work for a host family in the city to get money in return. Hence, it provides a good source of income for outsiders. Sometimes, the host family also offers a place to the worker for their stay.
Volunteering
Volunteering is highly conducted across the city. Volunteering program such as teaching, animal caring, organizing foods for the poor, etc. are held that contributes towards the noble cause. Working weekly or monthly as a helping hand for the betterment of society is really admirable. Many people love to participate in these social events organized under volunteering.