Embu das Artes lies about 28km west of São Paulo city in the Greater São Paulo Metropolitan Region, reachable by metro to Vila Sônia followed by a local bus, or by a direct bus from Terminal Lapa (approximately R$15-20 round trip), with the trip taking around an hour. The town's colonial centre, built around the 18th-century Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário and Largo dos Jesuítas, hosts the weekend Feira de Artes e Artesanato, a crafts fair with hundreds of stalls selling furniture, pottery, jewellery, and folk art along cobblestone streets. A morning arrival suits browsing the fair while it is least crowded, followed by a visit to the Museu de Arte Sacra dos Jesuítas housed in the former Jesuit college. Lunch options include the fair's food stalls, serving pastel and regional specialities, or one of the small restaurants around Largo 21 de Abril. Afternoons allow more time for gallery browsing and the antique shops that line the surrounding streets, since the fair and most craft studios operate Thursday through Sunday, with Saturday and Sunday drawing the largest selection of vendors. The town suits a visit year-round, since the draw is the weekend market rather than seasonal weather, though the compact centre gets crowded by early afternoon on sunny weekends, making an early start worthwhile.
| Distance | 28km west of São Paulo city |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 1 hour |
| Getting there | Metro to Vila Sônia then bus, or direct bus from Terminal Lapa (approx R$15-20 round trip) |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Embu das Artes, SP |
How to get there
- Public bus, ride-share, or car via Rodovia Régis Bittencourt
Weather through the year in São Paulo
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for São Paulo.
Location
Embu das Artes, SP
-23.6489, -46.8519 View on map
Highlights
- Feira de Artes e Artesanato weekend crafts fair
- Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário colonial church and Largo dos Jesuítas
- Museu de Arte Sacra dos Jesuítas in the former Jesuit college
- Antique shops and furniture workshops around the historic centre
- Cobblestone streets of the preserved colonial core
Tips for visiting
- The crafts fair operates Thursday through Sunday, with the widest selection on Saturday and Sunday
- Arrive by mid-morning to browse before the afternoon crowds build
- Metro to Vila Sônia plus a local bus is cheaper than a direct bus from Terminal Lapa
- Bargaining is common and expected at the craft stalls
- Cash is useful for smaller vendors who may not accept cards
When to visit
Weekend mornings, particularly Saturday and Sunday before midday, offer the fullest crafts fair with the most vendors and manageable crowds.
Frequently asked questions
Is the crafts fair open every day?
No, it runs Thursday through Sunday, with Saturday and Sunday having the most vendors.
How long does a visit take?
Most visitors spend three to five hours browsing the fair, church, and museum, making it a comfortable half-day or full-day trip.
Is Embu das Artes walkable from the bus stop?
Yes, the historic centre and fair are within easy walking distance of the main bus drop-off points.