MASP occupies Lina Bo Bardi's landmark glass-and-concrete building on Avenida Paulista, suspended on four bright red pillars over an open civic plaza that hosts a weekend antiques fair. Inside, the collection spans European old masters -- Raphael, Rembrandt, Renoir, Van Gogh -- alongside a growing survey of Brazilian modernism and Afro-Brazilian art, displayed on Bo Bardi's signature glass easels that let visitors view paintings from both sides without wall labels breaking the sightline. The building itself, an icon of Brazilian brutalism completed in 1968, is as much the draw as the art; the underside of the elevated block frames views straight down Avenida Paulista. A full visit covering the permanent collection and rotating temporary exhibitions on the lower floors takes 2-3 hours. Mornings on weekdays are calmest; Tuesdays it is closed entirely, and Saturdays draw the heaviest crowds because entry is free all day. The ground-floor glass pillars and the open vão livre underneath are the best spot for photographing the building's cantilevered form. Late afternoon light through the west-facing galleries suits photography of the upper floors.
| Admission | Adult R$80-100 (~$15.59-$19.49) · Child R$40-50 (~$7.80-$9.75) half-price |
|---|---|
| Hours | Wed-Mon 10AM-10PM (closed Tuesdays), last entry 9:30PM |
| Typical visit | 2-3 hours |
| Best time | morning |
| Getting there | Metro Consolação or Trianon-MASP (Line 2-Green) |
| Address | Avenida Paulista, 1578, Bela Vista, São Paulo |
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Location
Avenida Paulista, 1578, Bela Vista, São Paulo
-23.5613, -46.6565 View on map
Highlights
- Glass-easel display of the permanent collection
- Lina Bo Bardi's raised concrete-and-glass building
- European old masters alongside Brazilian modernists
- Rotating ground-floor temporary exhibitions
- Weekend antiques fair in the plaza beneath the museum
Tips for visiting
- Entry is free all day Saturday, which brings the largest crowds -- weekday mornings are quieter
- Buy tickets online in advance to skip the ticket-counter queue
- An audio guide is available in Portuguese, English, and Spanish for an added fee
- The vão livre underneath the building is open to the public even outside museum hours
- Combine with a walk down Avenida Paulista, which starts right outside
When to visit
Weekday mornings shortly after the 10AM opening are quietest; Saturdays are free but the most crowded day.
Accessibility
The building has elevators connecting all gallery floors and the vão livre is step-free from the street, making the museum wheelchair accessible throughout.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to MASP take?
Most visitors spend 2-3 hours covering the permanent collection and at least one temporary exhibition.
Is MASP worth it for kids?
Older children interested in art enjoy the glass-easel displays, but the museum has little geared specifically toward young children.
Is photography allowed inside MASP?
Photography without flash is generally permitted in the permanent collection, though some temporary exhibitions restrict it.