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Pirenópolis Goiás
A second trip to Pirenópolis: what to do once you know the basics Foto: Nicolle Freitas · CC BY-SA 4.0

Itineraries

A second trip to Pirenópolis: what to do once you know the basics

Ideas for return visitors: more distant waterfalls, old gold workings, lesser-known festivals and the region.

Updated on October 4, 2026 ✓ Information checked on October 4, 2026 adapted from the Portuguese original

A first trip to Pirenópolis tends to follow the same pattern: historic centre, Rua do Lazer and one or two nearby waterfalls. On the second, you can go further — further away, deeper into history and at other times of the year.

More distant waterfalls

  • Cachoeiras dos Dragões: eight falls along a trail of about 4.5 km, about 40 km from the centre, accessed via the Eishōji Zen Monastery. Book through the website or agencies.
  • Cachoeira do Rosário: a 42 m fall, with a daily cap on visitors.
  • Vargem Grande Ecological Reserve: if on your first trip you only went to Abade or Bonsucesso.
  • The City Hall Tourism Portal also mentions other attractions, such as Cachoeira das Araras (GO-338), Cachoeira dos Coqueiros (BR-070), river bathing spots and the Mirante do Ventilador viewpoint. Check the current status of each before going.

History beyond the churches

  • Museu das Lavras: old gold workings with stone walls and a trail through the riverside forest of the Rio das Almas, about 3 km from town, with a tour guided by the owner, according to the City Hall. It helps explain why the mining settlement of Meia Ponte was founded there in 1727.
  • Museu Rodas do Tempo: a collection of vintage two-wheeled vehicles and toys, in Alto do Bonfim.
  • Fazenda Babilônia: a former colonial sugar mill, with guided tours.
  • History of Pirenópolis: read it before you go to see the town with fresh eyes.

Other seasons, other festivals

Festival When (City Hall 2026 calendar)
Festa do Morro July, at the full moon, on the Pico dos Pireneus
Festa de Nossa Senhora do Carmo July
Canto da Primavera September (in 2026, 8–13 September, according to the festival website)
Festa do Senhor do Bonfim September
Flipiri Programme in the historic centre scheduled for November in 2026
Natal do Cerrado December

The town’s 300th anniversary will be celebrated on 7 October 2027. See the calendar in events in Pirenópolis.

Experiences listed by the City Hall

The Tourism Portal also lists a winery (GO-338), a craft brewery, hot-air balloon flights and the Caminho de Cora Coralina, a route of about 300 km. These are paid experiences with their own booking arrangements: contact each operator.

The region

With more days, Salto Corumbá, in Corumbá de Goiás, comes into play. See how to fit it in with the 7-day itinerary.

Frequently asked questions

Which waterfalls do first-time visitors usually miss?

The more distant ones, such as Cachoeiras dos Dragões and Cachoeira do Rosário, on the GO-338 highway, are usually left out of weekend itineraries. Both require booking and a full day.

Is it worth returning to Pirenópolis for a festival other than the Divino?

Yes. The City Hall calendar includes the Festa do Morro in July, the Festa do Senhor do Bonfim in September, and cultural events such as the Canto da Primavera and Flipiri. Check the dates of each edition.

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