History tours · BRAZIL HISTORY TOURS
A shortlist you could hand a friend: 15 brazil history tours that repay the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the thing to check before you book.
Spend about five hours in Bento Gonçalves visiting Epopeia Italiana, Garibaldi Winery, Devorata Craft Truffles, and the Maria Fumaça wine train. Your guide handles transport and admission, with audio-visual history, wine and sparkling-wine culture, chocolate tasting, music, and a small group capped at 10 people.
“They really made an effort for me because I dont speak Portugese. And everything was arranged really well.”
Spend four hours touring Rio’s historic center, XV de Novembro Square, Cinelândia, the Arcos de Lapa, and artistic Santa Teresa. Your multilingual guide drives between stops, explains Brazil’s past, and takes you to Parque das Ruínas for wide views over Guanabara Bay. Pickup is available from major central and beach neighborhoods.
“Lavinia was an excellent guide! We thoroughly enjoyed our time with her!”
Ride 9 to 12 miles through São Paulo with UrbanBikeSP, stopping at Paulista Avenue, MASP, Copan, Luz Station, Sé Cathedral, and Liberdade. Guides such as Juliana, Arthur, Pedro, Roberto, and Jefferson lead small groups in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Bikes, helmets, water, rain gear, snacks, and a café stop are included.
“Juliana is a wonderful city guide. She told us about Sao Paulo with passion. Seeing the city from a cyclist's point of view is amazing. The trip itself is absolutely safe and well organized. We had a great time. worth recommending.”
Travel from Curitiba to Morretes aboard the historic Paranaguá-Curitiba Railway, crossing bridges, tunnels, waterfalls, and Serra do Mar rainforest. With a Portuguese-speaking guide, you’ll tour Morretes and Antonina, visit the Hisgeopar miniature park, eat traditional barreado, and return by road along Estrada da Graciosa when conditions allow.
“Alex and Josiane are great!! Caring, gentle and patient. Beautiful tour! Nice people! It could drop me at my hotel Radisson Blu.”
Meet an English-speaking guide at the Rio Art Museum for a 150-minute walk through Little Africa. You’ll see Mauá Square from a rooftop, learn about Afro-Brazilian food at Largo da Prainha, visit Pedra do Sal, and finish at Cais do Valongo. Guides such as Luana, Nathalia, Ryane, Larissa, and Eddie are known for warm, thoughtful storytelling.
“It was so nice and informative. We got to see some places that we, if we were alone, wouldn’t have seen. The guide was so kind and took her time explaining the history and culture of little Africa.”
Spend four hours with a local guide exploring Santa Teresa and Ancient Rio. See the 1897 tram, Parque das Ruínas, Lapa Arches, Praça XV, Cinelândia, and grand civic buildings. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but the tram ride and museum interiors are not.
“Interesting to see the other aspects of Rio de Janeiro away from tourist hot-spots of Corcovado and Sugarloaf.”
Spend an afternoon at the Triple Frontier Landmark with hotel pickup from Foz do Iguaçu. See Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay from one viewpoint, watch sunset over two rivers, and enjoy a lively cultural show with tango, samba, and Paraguayan polka. English support is available, though the stage show may be mainly in Spanish.
“This is a lovely experience. Very worth the money, and an excellent show. The food at the restaurant was good too.”
Meet your English, Portuguese, or Spanish-speaking guide at Santa Rita’s Church for a 90-minute walk through Paraty’s UNESCO-listed historic centre. Learn about Indigenous peoples, colonial trade, Freemasonry, and the gold, sugar, coffee, and pau-brasil cycles, then sample Gabriela cachaça with honey, clove, and cinnamon.
“An interesting walking tour of the historic centre of Paraty which was a nice addition to the atmosphere that you can get in the town just by walking around. Our guide was friendly and informative and the Cachaça tasting was a nice touch at the end. I would say the price is slightly above what you get but not a big issue overall.”
Travel from Balneário Camboriú to Ilhota, Blumenau, and Pomerode in an air-conditioned vehicle with a guide. You’ll see German-style architecture, learn about Oktoberfest and local customs, browse shops, and have time for food and drinks. Guides such as Fabio, Rosana, Fernando, Jilson, and Junior have led this route.
“Amei a guia Rosana , super atenciosa e sabia praticamente tudo a respeito das cidades de Santa Catarina e curiosidades, os passeios são bons porém as pessoas não cumprem os horários para os passeios o que faz atrasar, tirando isso a rota é ótima”
Walk through Salvador’s historic center and Pelourinho with a live guide in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Over 2.5 hours, you’ll see Rio Branco Palace, Lacerda Elevator, Cruz Caída Square, Largo do Pelourinho, and São Francisco Church, with cultural context and local food or drink tastings possible.
“Excellente visite ! Cela permet de comprendre l'histoire (notamment récente) du quartier. J'ai notamment aimé la première partie du tour que je n'aurais clairement pas fait sans guide (un peu avant Pelourinho) qui permet de voir comment le quartier évolue en temps réel !”
Spend four hours exploring central Rio with a guide in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Visit Valongo Wharf, Eduardo Kobra’s giant mural, the Museum of Tomorrow, Saint Benedict Monastery, Praça XV, and Confeitaria Colombo. Hotel pickup is included from Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, and Leme, with museum admission covered.
“Emanuella jest wspaniałym przwodnikiem.Dużo nam opowiedziała o historii Brazylli omawiała wspaniałe budowle Świetnie spędziliśmy czas na wycieczce.”
Meet your English, Portuguese, or Spanish-speaking guide at Theatro Municipal and walk through central Rio and Lapa. You’ll visit the old cathedral, Imperial Palace, and National Library, while learning how royal, imperial, and modern Rio fit together. The group is limited to 10, and your guide can suggest photo spots, restaurants, samba venues, and places for caipirinhas.
“Very interesting tour and information provided. The guide has a strong accent, i could not always understand what he was saying.”
Ride the subway from Copacabana to central Rio, then walk through Cinelândia, Praça XV, Travessa do Comercio, and Candelaria with a live guide in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. You’ll see Confeitaria Colombo, Tiradentes Palace, colonial churches, cultural centers, and historic streets. Guides have included Lucien, Monique, Ernani, Mathilda, and others.
“The tour was great! Our tour guide answered plenty of our questions, gave us a lot of information about history, politics, economy of the country. We fully enjoyed this tour!”
Spend nine hours crossing Florianópolis by new vehicle with a Portuguese- or Spanish-speaking guide. Visit Praça XV, the cathedral, Public Market, Hercílio Luz Bridge, Joaquina Beach, Barra da Lagoa, Jurerê Internacional and Santo Antônio de Lisboa. Guide Beatriz has earned special praise, but timing and pickup need care.
“eu gostei de tudo. porém gostaria que a empresa nos pa pegasse no hotel pois tivemos que ir a um ponto de encontro. ooupróximo do nosso hotel pois tivemos que gastar com uber para chegar ao ponto de encontro e para voltar para ao nosso hotel”
Meet your English, Portuguese or Spanish-speaking guide outside Café|Bar do Largo da Alfândega for a 2 to 2.5-hour walk through central Florianópolis. You’ll visit churches, palaces, theaters, squares, Forte de Santa Bárbara and the Public Market, with time for pastéis, coxinhas, sugar cane juice and local beer at your own cost.
“Nice tour with knowledgeable (and great English) guide, recommend!”
Ancient, medieval, colonial, modern, and the cities that do each one best.
