Inhotim and Belo Horizonte: How to Visit Brazil’s Art Park, Where to Stay and How to Eat in Minas Gerais

Photo: Carlos Varela / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Jet Set LatAM · Destination Guide

Inhotim is unlike any museum you’ve visited: contemporary art pavilions and large-scale installations scattered across a vast botanical garden in the hills of Minas Gerais, about 60 kilometers from Belo Horizonte. Lakes, palms and forest trails connect galleries devoted to some of Brazil’s most important artists, and a single day is never quite enough.

Here’s how to visit Inhotim, where to stay and how to make the most of Belo Horizonte and Minas Gerais cooking.

How to visit Inhotim

Plan for two days if you can. Electric carts link the far-flung pavilions for an extra fee, but much of the joy is walking the garden paths. Don’t miss the galleries dedicated to Adriana Varejão and Tunga, and leave time for the outdoor works set among the lakes and forest. Check opening days before you go, as the park is closed on some weekdays.

Where to stay

Clara Arte Resort, in Brumadinho near Inhotim, pairs contemporary architecture with forest views and makes an easy two-day visit. Alternatively, base yourself in Belo Horizonte, about an hour and a half’s drive away, and combine Inhotim with the city’s restaurants.

Belo Horizonte’s food scene

Minas Gerais has one of Brazil’s most beloved cuisines: pão de queijo, tutu de feijão, slow-cooked pork, cheeses from the Serra da Canastra, doce de leite and cachaça. Wander the stalls of the Mercado Central, and book Glouton, chef Leo Paixão’s restaurant, for a refined take on mineiro cooking.

Pampulha and modern architecture

The Pampulha Modern Ensemble, designed by Oscar Niemeyer in the 1940s around an artificial lake, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, with its tile panels by Cândido Portinari, and the former casino turned art museum.

Craft and the colonial towns

Minas is a craft powerhouse: soapstone, tin, embroidered linens and ceramics. Extend the trip to the baroque gold towns of Ouro Preto and Tiradentes, a couple of hours away.

Good to know

• Getting there. Fly into Belo Horizonte’s Confins airport (CNF), then drive or take a transfer to Inhotim.
• Wear walking shoes. The park is large and hilly; bring sunscreen and water.
• Timing. Arrive at opening time to see the main pavilions before the crowds.
• Season. April to September is drier and milder; summer brings afternoon storms.

What to pack

• Cashmere travel wrap: a blanket on the plane, a shawl at dinner
• Leather loafers: polished enough for dinner, sane on cobblestones
• Packing cubes: so the artisan finds fit on the way home
• Our full travel collection on ShopMy ↗

Where to stay

Stay near Inhotim in Brumadinho for an unhurried two-day visit, or in Belo Horizonte to combine the museum with the city’s food and architecture. The flight search and live accommodation map below help you plan the rest of the trip.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need at Inhotim?

Two days is ideal to see the main pavilions and gardens without rushing.

How far is Inhotim from Belo Horizonte?

About 60 kilometers, roughly an hour and a half by road.

What is Inhotim?

An open-air contemporary art museum and botanical garden in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais.

What food is Minas Gerais known for?

Pão de queijo, tutu de feijão, artisanal cheese, doce de leite and cachaça.

Keep reading

• Ouro Preto UNESCO Guide: Baroque Streets and a Slower Stay in Minas Gerais
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