Top Things to do in Belem
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Top 10 Things to do in Belem, Brazil
Discover the best top things to do in Belem, Brazil including Basilica de Nossa Senhora de Nazare, Teatro da Paz, Estacao das Docas, Mangal das Garcas, Algodoal Island, Belem Metropolitan Cathedral, Hangar Centro de Convencoes da Amazonia, Para Religious Art Museum, Museu de Arte Sacra do Para, Parque da Residencia.
Restaurants in Belem
1. Basilica de Nossa Senhora de Nazare
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
This ornate Moorish temple is among the most revered religious sites in the region.
Reviewed By Alexinmelbourne - Melbourne, Australia
The Basilica de Nossa Senhora de Nazare is the main church in Belem, and is the focal point of the Círio de Nazaré – one of the largest religious festivals in the world. The church is in excellent condition and is obviously very well maintained. The exterior of the church is imposing and beautiful. However, the inside of the Basilica is probably the most ugly church interior I have ever seen. Was I really inside the same church that has received all these glowing reviews? In my opinion the interior is an architectural disaster.
The interior is decorated in a mishmash of styles – completely unintegrated. It’s as if the architects randomly pieced together all the different elements with no consideration for the whole. Many of the individual elements are quite frankly ugly. The marble columns looked like the marble used in the kitchenette of a dated 1990s hotel apartment. The wooden panelled roof looked ridiculous. The hanging light fittings looked cheap and out of place. Other decorations also looked cheap or fake. The shape of the interior looked boxy and awkward.
Then there was the numerous big screen TVs throughout the church featuring close ups of the congregation in cathartic prayer. In this church, worshipping felt more about celebrity and performance rather than something sacred. I found it grotesque and perverse.
Just because something is big and highly decorated or just because we are told something is beautiful, doesn’t mean that it is actually beautiful. I had high expectations but was very disappointed.
2. Teatro da Paz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In the late years of the 19th Century, Belém was experiencing the rubber boom and resented from not having an imposing opera house. So, inspired by the famous "Teatro ala Scala", in Milan (Italy), the local Government started, in 1869, the construction of its neoclassical opera house. After some years, the new "Theatro da Paz" opened its doors to the public: Feb 15, 1878! Bravo! The magnificent theater is still there, as beautiful as ever, and offering a busy programme to "belenenses" and visitors. Great guided tours are organized on regular basis and are almost inexpensive. Check the booking office for guided tour tickets. If you are lucky enough, you can even attend one of its many attractions. One last remark: ticket payments only in cash. Enjoy!
3. Estacao das Docas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Catherine S - Bolton, United Kingdom
A good renovation of an old area, in complete contrast to the surrounding area. A small number of kiosks and shops with another hall dedicated to restaurant and ice cream stalls. The air conditioning was a relief after the humidity in the markets.
4. Mangal das Garcas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Lsl2013 - Sao Paulo, SP
Beautiful park in belem. Nice and peaceful environment ,lots of bird species, typical trees and a beautiful view of Guajara bay
5. Algodoal Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 749 reviews
Reviewed By Carlos A - Porto, Portugal
What amazing place!
Once there we can feel the meaning of paradise.
So quiet, so beautiful, that seems we are lost in time.
No motor vehicles autorized, no tarmac, no pollution...what else do we need?
Go and enjoy the nature without people around.
No night life, luckly you may have a reggae night...all night!
6. Belem Metropolitan Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The beautiful and traditional "Catedral da Sé" is situated at the very heart of the "Feliz Lusitânia" religious and historical complex at the so called "Cidade Velha" (Old City, in English) in Belém. The complex comprises other beautiful and important nearby buildings, as the "Museu de Arte Sacra do Pará - Igreja e Convento de Santo Alexandre", the "Forte do Presépio" and many others.
The Cathedral, whose construction started in 1748 and was inaugurated only in 1782, has been extraordinarily well kept, with an important collection of art masterpieces, as well as of beautiful religious objects. As regards architectural style, we could easily say that Belém's "Catedral da Sé" follows the eclectic style, where characteristics of other styles are found, such as baroque, rococo and neoclassical.
I strongly advise all tourists while in Belém to pay a visit to this magnificent Cathedral. It plays also an important role during the "Círio de Nazaré" festival, welcoming the holy image of "Nossa Senhora de Nazaré" to overnight in its altar before the main procession (followed by over 2 million people on the second Sunday of October every year). Amazing faith!
As "Catedral da Sé" is located in the "Old City", don't go alone and watch carefully your belongings, trying to avoid any unhappy events. Enjoy!
7. Hangar Centro de Convencoes da Amazonia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
Reviewed By Andreia A - Swindon, United Kingdom
Located next to the fair to see the weight, it has a restaurant on the ground floor and local handicraft shops on the top floor, well worth knowing, if you visit the place at night do not recommend walking as the nearby streets are dangerous.
8. Para Religious Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 194 reviews
Reviewed By Gutemberg Arman... D - Belem, PA
As imagens carcomidas da Igreja de Santo Alexandre, as marcas do abandono forçado pelas políticas pombalinas, telas e tetos magníficos lembrando um passado glorioso são alguns dos pontos que se pode encontrar no Museu de Arte Sacra do Pará! Além disso, um claustro que nos leva a um passado contemplativo que não era o forte dos jesuítas, mestres da pregação e do convencimento!
9. Museu de Arte Sacra do Para
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 421 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The former Church and Convent of Saint Alexander ("Igreja e Convento de Santo Alexandre", in Portuguese) was built by the Jesuit priests between 1698 and 1719. This majestic baroque construction, located at the very heart of Belém's "Old City", has had many different uses and destinations along the centuries. After years of abandon and decay, it has been completely restored and now houses Belém's beautiful museum of sacred art.
Its collection, of over 400 items, may give you a good idea of the opulence and importance of the Roman Catholic Church in the Amazonian Region. The Catholic faith has been so strong and deeply spread among "Belenenses", that the city, every year, on the second Sunday of October, organizes the amazing and impressive "Círio de Nazaré", the biggest religious festival in Brazil.
The old church is still there, but only used on very special occasions. If sacred art is among your interests, visiting the "Museu de Arte Sacra do Pará" is a must. Enjoy.
10. Parque da Residencia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 611 reviews
Reviewed By vitorvoyage - Sao Paulo, SP
This an example of how a park should be constituted in Brazil. green area, theater, area for promedade, restaurant at affordable prices, despite the food not the best in the world is quite reasonable. The style "Despite what's going to eat," muiot common in Brazil is present there. Theater is beautiful with good attractions.
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