Things to do in Pirenópolis: historic centre, waterfalls and mountains

Pirenópolis has two halves that complement each other. One is the town itself: the former mining settlement of Meia Ponte, founded in 1727, with stone-paved streets, colonial houses and 18th-century churches. The other is nature: rivers flowing down from the Serra dos Pireneus mountains form dozens of waterfalls, most of them on private properties set up for visitors.

The town is in the state of Goiás, in Brazil’s Centre-West, roughly between Brasília (the national capital) and Goiânia (the state capital). A good itinerary alternates between the two halves. Mornings usually go to trails and waterfalls; afternoons and evenings to the historic centre, the museums and the Rua do Lazer.

The historic centre on foot

The townscape of Pirenópolis was listed by Iphan, Brazil’s national heritage institute (approved in 1989 and inscribed in 1990). It is compact and easy to explore on foot — wear comfortable shoes because of the cobblestones.

• Historic centre: Rua Direita, Rua do Rosário, Rua Aurora, the bridge over the Rio das Almas, the Theatro and the Cine Pireneus.
• Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Rosário (Mother Church of Our Lady of the Rosary): the town’s most symbolic church, listed in 1941, damaged by fire in 2002 and later restored.
• Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo (Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church), home to the Museum of Sacred Art.
• Igreja de Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, at the top of the Bonfim neighbourhood.
• Museu do Divino, in the old Town Hall and Jail building next to the bridge.

Waterfalls and nature reserves

The waterfalls are the reason for many trips. They lie outside the urban area, anywhere from a few kilometres to more than 40 km away, almost always with a stretch of dirt road. See the full guide to Pirenópolis waterfalls.

• Closest to the centre: Cachoeiras Bonsucesso (about 5 km, according to its official website) and the Vagafogo Wildlife Sanctuary, with a forest trail and an adventure circuit.
• Medium distance: Cachoeira do Abade (about 17 km) and the Vargem Grande Ecological Reserve, on the Pireneus road.
• Furthest away: Cachoeiras dos Dragões and Cachoeira do Rosário, both along the GO-338 highway, with booking recommended.

Serra dos Pireneus

The Pireneus State Park protects the springs of the Rio das Almas and the Pico dos Pireneus, the highest point of the mountain range that gave the town its name. It is the setting for the Festa do Morro, a traditional pilgrimage held in July.

Rural heritage and other outings

• Fazenda Babilônia: a former colonial sugar mill on the GO-431 highway, with guided tours and a traditional farm breakfast.
• The City Hall also lists the Museu das Lavras (old gold workings near the Rio das Almas), the Museu Rodas do Tempo, viewpoints, a winery, a brewery and hot-air balloon flights. Check the conditions on each official fact sheet.

Festivals and culture

The Festa do Divino (Festival of the Divine Holy Spirit) and the Cavalhadas transform the town around Pentecost Sunday. The festival has been registered by Iphan as Cultural Heritage of Brazil since 2010. Other dates are listed under events in Pirenópolis.

How to plan it

Day-by-day plans are in our itineraries by number of days.