When we talk about the Southeast region, it is possible to think of great travel destinations such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and even Belo Horizonte that impress everyone. It turns out that the unmissable places in the region go far beyond the capitals, revealing wonderful landscapes that surprise anyone.

It is a region full of attractions for all tastes and styles of traveler. There is a little bit of everything: beaches, historic cities, beautiful natural landscapes, cosmopolitan cities, rich culture and incredible cuisine.

Full of excellent tourist attractions such as beaches, rivers, waterfalls, mountains, historic cities, among others, another factor that attracts many tourists to the Southeast is that there are several tourist destinations that offer a good value for money. 

The southeastern region of Brazil is known for being the most populous, urbanized and economically most developed region, and was also the region that received the most immigrants, whose influence is notable in several aspects such as gastronomy and the architecture of some cities. The region is the fourth largest region in Brazil and is divided into four states: Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

Check out some of the main destinations in the southeast to visit on your next trip:

Ouro Preto (Minas Gerais)

In addition to being one of the best destinations to visit in the southeast, the city of Ouro Preto is also an open-air museum: strolling through the charming cobblestone streets and admiring the historic buildings is worth it. In fact, the city has been a national monument since 1938 and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 

Churches such as São Francisco de Assis and the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição by Antônio Dias are two of the countless examples of rich architecture and decoration that are worth seeing up close, not to mention the famous works of the sculptor Aleijadinho, who has a A special highlight is the itinerary for those who come in search of these types of attractions. 

And the wonders of Ouro Preto are not just pleasing to the eye and the wallet. There is no shortage of restaurants in the city to tempt your palate with the best of traditional Minas Gerais cuisine. 

Guarapari (Espirito Santos)

Guarapari is the main tourist destination on the Espírito Santo coast, thanks to the city's dozens of beaches, with options for all tastes. It's still one of the cheapest places to travel in the Southeast!

Meaípe beach, an old fishing village, is considered one of the most beautiful in Brazil. It is also famous for its monazite sand, with a high natural concentration of heavy minerals, which is used by many to treat arthritis and rheumatism, even without scientific consensus demonstrating these benefits. of the city, such as the beautiful Praia dos Padres, moqueca Espírito Santo, a delicacy that makes the residents of Espírito Santo proud.

Praia Grande (São Paulo)

The city of Praia Grande is just 80 kilometers from the capital, São Paulo, and offers more than 20 kilometers of excellent beaches for relaxing on the sand and taking long walks. Fortunately, Praia Grande is also one of the best destinations in the southeast to visit. 

One of the most famous and busiest beaches in the region is Guilhermina, which usually hosts a very interesting crafts fair, which also has a calmer sea. And you can even add history to this trip by visiting the Itaipu Fortress.

 Construction began in 1903 and the fort was intended to control maritime traffic on the São Vicente, which gives access to the port of Santos. The fortress has been open to the public since 1994.

Rio das Ostras (Rio de Janeiro)

Rio das Ostras, one of the cheapest destinations in Rio de Janeiro, has beautiful beaches. Waking up early is totally worth it in the city. The Costazul Emissary Pier is a unique experience, providing a spectacular view of the sunrise. 

Costa Azul beach is also home to Praça da Baleia, which houses a 20-meter-long sculpture of a humpback whale, made with bronze plates and brass alloy by sculptor Roberto Sá. 

Be sure to visit Praia da Joana, which enchants with its exuberant nature and calm waters. If you wish, you can extend the trip a little and drive another 44 kilometers to Búzios, another excellent beach destination that is more popular.

Macaé (Rio de Janeiro)

Macaé in Rio de Janeiro has an economy that revolves around the oil industry and many go to the city to work, but the destination has a lot to offer tourists, especially those who enjoy nature walks and the beaches enchant visitors.

Praia dos Cavaleiros is great for families, it has an excellent infrastructure of bars and restaurants, as well as a charming blue sea and bodyboarding. Another tip is to tour the imposing Marechal Hermes Fort from the 18th century. History and architecture lovers will love this cultural tour, as the sea view from there is also fantastic.

Juiz de Fora (Minas Gerais) 

Juiz de Fora is located in the interior of Minas Gerais, but is only 190 kilometers from the capital of Rio de Janeiro, making it an easy destination for tourists coming to southeastern Brazil and one of the best for traveling to Minas Gerais.

For anyone visiting the city, an unmissable program is to visit the Mariano Procópio Museum, with incredible gardens and a scientific, artistic and historical collection of more than 50,000 pieces. The beautiful Bernardo Mascarenhas Cultural Center is another very interesting place for art and culture lovers. 

And the city's main street, Rua Halfeld, is full of galleries, cafes, shops and historic buildings, many from the time of the Brazilian Empire, in addition to the beautiful park of the same name created by Cândido Portinari and discovered on the facade of the Fórum Clube de Juiz de construction.

As you can read, from the few indications of places we gave, southeastern Brazil is a rich region with several places that are worth including on your itinerary if you decide to visit this region of the country. 

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