Petrópolis

In the 1830s, the area of modern day Petrópolis was little more than farmland. When Emperor Dom Pedro I went through there on his way to Minas Gerais, he was struck by the scenery and decided to buy some land. Dom Pedro I returned to Portugal soon after and the land was passed to his son, Dom Pedro II, who built a summer retreat. Soon a palace was built along with mansions and a cathedral, giving its nickname, "The Imperial City".
Nestled among the forested hills of the Serra dos Órgãos, in the valley of the Quitandinha and Piabanha rivers, Petrópolis is a popular summer holiday spot. Besides the climate and surroundings, the main attraction is the former Summer Palace of the Brazilian Emperors, which is now a museum, specializing in Imperial history and memorabilia.
Petrópolis is home to the National Laboratory for Scientific Computing (LNCC), a research unit of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Brazilian Federal Government.

The only way into Petrópolis is by road. Buses run from the major cities in the area such as Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte as well as places further afield such as São Paulo and Brasília.

• Única

  phone: +55 21 2263-8792
  This company runs buses from Rio de Janeiro (1 hour) about every 20 minutes (Try and get a seat on the left hand side of the bus for the best views). You get dropped off at the Leonel Brizola bus station in Bingen about 10km from town. Take the local bus number 100 (R$2) or 010 (R$2.50) into the city center. Ask to be dropped off at Praca Libertad.

All the main tourist sights are close to the center and are easily accessible on foot. There is numerous bus services in and around town but the number 100 or 010 are the ones most useful to visitors which run from the center to the Leonel Brizola bus station in Bingen.

• Imperial Coop

  phone: +55 24 2246-0066
  address: Rua do Imperador 288, Centro
  This car hire place is really only useful if you plan on visiting the area around the city

• TaxiIf you're in need of a taxi, you can call this company or just hail one of the many driving around town

• Imperial Museum of Brazil

  phone: +55 24 2245-5550
  address: Rua da Imperatriz, 220
  One of the cities highlights. The weekend house of Dom Pedro II and his wife, Dona Teresa. The well preserved building has a collection of royal exhibits as well as a 1.7kg diamond and pearl studded crown.

• Cathedral of St. Peter of Alcantara

  phone: +55 24 2242-4300
  address: Rua São Pedro de Alcântara, 60
  Housing the tombs of Dom Pedro II, Dona Teresa and their daughter Princesa Isabel, this is a fine cathedral that has great views from its steps.

• Palácio de Cristal

  phone: +55 24 2247-3721
  address: Rua Alfredo Pachá
  A greenhouse built for Princesa Isabela in France and brought to Brazil in 1884.

• Quitandinha Palace

  address: Av. Joaquim Rolla
  A historic former luxury resort hotel, second only to the Copacabana Palace in Rio. However it closed in 1962 and was turned into private condominiums. The lavish surrounding gardens are open to the public.

• Rio Negro Palace

  phone: +55 24 2246-2423
  address: Avenida Koeller, 255
  One of the official residences of the President of Brazil, although mostly used as a country retreat.

• A Encantada

  phone: +55 24 2247 5222
  address: Rua do Encanto, 22
  Nicknamed "The Enchanted", this house was the summer residence of Alberto Santos Dumont, the Brazilian aviation pioneer. He designed the house himself; nowadays it's a museum showing his objects, books, letters and furniture, as well as some famous domestic inventions of his: an alcohol-fueled hot shower, and an entrance staircase with paddle-shaped steps, which can only be used starting with the right foot. There's also the Centro Cultural 14a, attached to the house, where you can watch a short film about Santos Dumont. The space has tactile models and accessibility for visitors with special needs.

• Cervejaria Bohemia

  address: Rua Alfredo Pachá, 166
  The brewery of the popular Bohemia beer, built in neoclassic style in 1853, is a national heritage. It can be visited by those interested in the beer making process and in beer history. Tickets are sold up to two hours before the closing time; they can also be bought in the website.

• Rios Brasileiros Rafting

  phone: +55 24 2243-4372
  address: Room 104, Rua Silva Jardim 514
  This company organizes rafting and hiking trip around the area. They have English and Portuguese speaking guides.

• Trekking Petrópolis

  phone: +55 24 2235-7607
  This company organises hikes, mountain biking and other activities in the Mata Atlântica rainforest.

Like most towns and cities in Brazil, anything that you could want to buy would most likely in the main street Rua do Imperador. However if its clothes you're after you can't go wrong with Rua Teresa. This street has more clothes stores than you need as well as a few good places to eat. Here are some good choices.

• Taco Roupa

  phone: +55 24 2242-8785
  address: Rua 16 de Março 364 e 366 Centro, 25655
  A chain of clothing stores throughout Brazil.

• Sendas

  phone: +55 24 2245-5556
  address: Rua General Rondon, 1015 - Quitandinha
  A food and drink supermarket where you can pick up a whole heap of Brazilian food and drink.

• Majórica Churrascaria

  phone: +55 24 2242-2498
  address: Rua do Imperador, 754
  A great Churrascaria not far from the Meseu Imperial.

• Bistrô Petit Palais

  phone: +55 24 2237-8000
  address: Av Imperatriz, 220
  A nice little bistro serving pastries and some hot dishes.

• Las Delicias

  phone: +55 24 2231-6033
  address: Rua Gonçalves Dias, 423
  This is a good Brazilian style buffet. Good for a quick cheap bite of local Brazilian foods.

• Locanda della Mimosa

  phone: +55 24 2233-5405
  address: Alameda das Mimosas 30, Vale Florida
  This place may be expensive but the exotic foods are impressive. Reservations are highly recommended.

Drinking is pretty thin in Petrópolis but there are a few good chopperias on Rua do Imperador. Petropolis' most famous native beer is the Bohemia (1853), which became nationwide popular after 1960, when its brewery was acquired by Antarctica (now AmBev).

• Pousada 14 Bis

  phone: +55 24 2231-0946
  address: Rua Buenos Aires, 192
  This place has nice quiet rooms and is close to the bus station.

• Hotel Colonial Inn

  phone: +55 24 2243-1590
  address: Rua Monsenhor Bacelar, 125
  Beautiful antique style rooms with a nice feel.

• Pousada Quitandinha

  phone: +55 24 2247-9165
  address: Rua Uruguai, 570
  HI affiliated hostel located outside of the center in the quiet Quitandinha neighboorhood. 4 beds dormrooms in a wooden house, clean but worned out sheets, clean bathroom, friendly and helpful staff. Varied all you can eat breakfast. They cook basic but filling meals for RS6 at night.

• Pousada Mata Atlantica dos Sauer

  phone: +55 24 2244 0122
  address: Rua Bingen, 1055
  A beautiful quite bed & breakfast alongside the mountains of Petropolis. There are 11 natural water springs on the compound that also has a waterfall. Some features include: Waterfall, Hiking Trails, Breakfast inclusive, Free Wi-Fi, Free long distance to USA and Canada.

• CompuLand

  address: Rua 16 de Março 326, Centro
  This centrally located internet café has high speed internet.

• Rio de Janeiro
• Belo Horizonte