Sao Paulo from Above

Sao Paulo can be a pretty intimidating place. Eighteen million people; who knows how many million cars, trucks, and motorcycles; over a thousand bus lines (not counting the intercity ones) employing 11,000 buses; four thousand five hundred traffic lights; the list goes on....

One of the best angles from which to view Sao Paulo is from above, where one can truly appreciate the enormity, and even the urban beauty (gasp), of the city. There are several spots in town where one can go to gawk at the horizon-to-horizon skyscrapers. A word of warning, except for the Banespa tower, these places are all pretty high-end ... those who find it difficult to reconcile the enormous gap between the haves and the have-nots in Brazil, might find it more difficult to enjoy their drink.

The View (not sure why the name is in English) is a chic – or chuchi, as my friend Ysa has learned to say in Paraguay – rooftop bar located on the 30th floor of a hotel just off Paulista Avenue. It’ll likely be one of the more expensive caipirinhas that you’ll ever order (R$12), but the view is worth it. Beer and coffee are closer to average.
Location: Alameda Santos, 981, Cerqueiria César.

Terraço Italia is another chic bar / restaurant, this time located on the 41st and 42nd floors of the Edifício Itália in the historic centre. I haven’t been yet, having missed a few opportunities in the recent past. The 360º view is said to be absolutely spectacular.
Location: Avenida Ipiranga, 344, República.

The Banespa Tower, a replica of the Empire State Building in New York, is a banking headquarters with a lookout on the 35th floor open to the public for free during working hours. Cool views, no food purchases necessary!
Location: Rua João Brícola, 24, Centro.

Skye Bar is another one I haven’t yet made it to, but is supposed to offer a hip location with a cool view. Not quite as high as The View, Terraço Italia, or the Banespa Tower, Syke is located on the top floor of the Hotel Unique, a hotel designed in the shape of a giant boat (or watermelon, say some). Wet when it rains (there is no roof), the bar overlooks Jardins and Ibirapueira Park.
Location: Avenida Brigadeiro Luis Antônio, 4700, Jardim Paulista.