Porto Alegre is the capital city and the most populous city of the state Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state in Brazil. With 4.4 million people in its metropolitan area (2020), it is the 4th largest city of the country. The city is not known for its tourist attractions, although it is a frequently used entry point to the Serras Gaúchas region, a major domestic tourism destination.
{{Regionlist | region1name=Central Zone | region1color= | region1items= | region1description=The area around Lake Guaíba, where most of the tourist attractions are, such as the Usina do Gasômetro, museums, centuries-old churches and outdoor leisure areas. Central Zone is also home of Cidade Baixa, a neighboorhood with a vibrant nightlife, with its numerous pubs and nightclubs with live shows.
| region2name=North Zone and Islands | region2color= | region2items= | region2description= Less hectic than the Central Zone, the North Zone includes the Airport, FIERGS and the shopping centers Iguatemi and Bourbon Wallig. The Arena do Grêmio stadium is also there, in addition to several leisure and entertainment options.
| region3name=East Zone | region3color= | region3items= | region3description=A suburban area, East Zone is home of Santana Hill (Morro Santana), the highest point in the Porto Alegre area.
| region4name=Southeast Zone | region4color= | region4items= | region4description=The home of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul and the Vale Campus of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, it is a largely residential area.
| region5name=South Zone | region5color= | region5items= | region5description=A suburban region with beautiful beaches around Lake Guaíba, it has several wooded parks with places to practice sports. It is the perfect place to escape the hectic city life and take refuge in the tranquility of nature. }}
Porto Alegre is the state capital of Rio Grande do Sul and the biggest urban agglomeration of Southern Brazil. Situated geographically and culturally midway between São Paulo and Buenos Aires, Porto Alegre developed its distinct flavor of Portuguese heritage under the influence of other European immigrants and a variety of other ethnic groups. It is one of the richest cities in the country, the state capital with the highest life quality and literacy rate (97%), and the book capital of Brazil. However, Porto Alegre still suffers from many problems that affect big Brazilian cities, such as poverty of part of the population, lack of adequate housing, high cost of living, pollution, violence and traffic jams.
Gaúchos, as natives of Rio Grande do Sul state are known, are very proud of their land and culture. In 1835, Ragamuffin War, a separatist uprising which declared Rio Grande do Sul independent from Brazil broke out. This war wreaked havoc across the entire state during 10 bloody years, killing nearly 20% of Gaúchos and ultimately leading to a peace treaty where the Riograndense Republic once again became part of Brazil.
Another major Brazilian revolution also began in Rio Grande do Sul. The Federalist Revolution of 1893 defended the decentralization of powers and greater autonomy for the states, and only finished in 1895, after spreading to two other states. It was also in Rio Grande do Sul (Porto Alegre) where the Brazilian Revolution of 1930 which overthrew the president Washington Luis began, and so was from Rio Grande do Sul the most important Brazilian communist revolutionary of all times: Luis Carlos Prestes, who led the nation-wide communist upheaval in 1935. For such reasons, among many others, Gaúchos are particularly proud of their mother state, many considering themselves different from other Brazilians.
Porto Alegre is now a service-centered city in between the industrial part of the state (north-east) and the rural part (south). Today, is also called the Mercosur Capital.
Due to its low altitude and southern location, Porto Alegre has a very variable humid subtropical climate, but is known for its well-defined seasons. Summer is generally hot and humid and the winter is cool. During summer, it is common for the humidity to get high, giving a feeling of muffling. However, the summer in Porto Alegre tends to be less rainy than in other Brazilian cities, like São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. In winter, sometimes it is possible to have frost.
Porto Alegre has a wide range of temperatures. Depending on the neighborhood in which you are in Porto Alegre, humidity can cause temperatures to vary a few degrees above or below. In the winter months, temperatures vary from cold to mild. The average temperature throughout the days are usually 15 ºC (59 ºF) and the nights tends to have an average of 10º C (50 ºF), although it is not uncommon for some years where there may be days in the winter with temperatures up to 30 ºC (86 ºF). This phenomenon is locally called "veranico" (Indian summer). In some years, winter temperatures can also be freezing, reaching close to 0º C (32 ºF). Unlike the cities located in the Serra Gaúchas region, where there is the highest altitude, in Porto Alegre rarely snows. The last time this phenomenon occurred was in 1984.
The summer in Porto Alegre is hot and humid. Temperatures can be very high and oppressive, sometimes reaching around 40 ºC (104 ºF), leading the city to earn the nickname "Forno Alegre" (Forno is the Portuguese word for "oven"). However, these high temperatures can be interrupted by cold fronts that bring rain for a few days, bringing a welcome relief from the high temperatures. Rainfall are evenly distributed throughout the year. There is not a completely dry month, although there may be less rain from March to May. Afternoon thunderstorms in the spring and summer are common, so it is recommended to bring an umbrella to protect of the rain.
Regardless of the time of year, Porto Alegre is a very sunny city during the year, so it is recommended to use sunscreen.
There is a train station (known as trensurb by locals) and bus stops near the airport. A people mover (aeromóvel) connects the train station with the airport terminal.
A commuter train service known as Trensurb, serve only the metropolitan area, with one line connecting Historic Distric to some cities in the Greater Porto Alegre such as Canoas, Esteio, Sapucaia do Sul, São Leopoldo and Novo Hamburgo. The fare is R$4.50 and there's a station near Rodoviária (Central Bus Station) and the airport. It is more or less safe to walk during day time from Rodoviária or the airport to the stations. An automated people-mover (Aeromóvel) connects the first floor of the terminal to the local train station.
Coming from the North (Florianópolis, Curitiba, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro), one may reach Porto Alegre by two ways. BR-116 is shorter, but much more dangerous. This road is used to reach other destinations in Rio Grande do Sul, such as Caxias do Sul, Gramado and Canela. BR-116 also connects all major metropolitan cities and traffic jams are frequent during rush hours in weekdays. One way to escape traffic jams during peak hours is BR-448, which links Porto Alegre to Sapucaia do Sul in the metropolitan area. The other way to get to Porto Alegre from the North is using BR-101 to Osório and then BR-290. The first connects Curitiba, Florianópolis and Osório, and is being upgraded to highway standards; the latter crosses Rio Grande do Sul from Osório to Uruguaiana, through Porto Alegre. The section between Osório and Porto Alegre is called free-way by locals, and is a very well-maintained 6-lane toll-road.
Also, in neighboring Canoas, BR-386 begins, connecting the metropolitan area with other major cities in the countryside, such as Santa Cruz do Sul, Santa Maria and Passo Fundo. It has 4 lanes up to Tabaí and it is in decent conditions.
From the South, coming from cities such as Pelotas, Rio Grande, and Chuí, one would use BR-116.
From the East, Porto Alegre is reachable by BR-290 from Uruguaiana and Argentina. Using this road, it's possible to reach southern cities such as Bagé and Santana do Livramento. This section of BR-290 shares a stretch with BR-116, from Guaíba's Bridge up to Eldorado do Sul interchange.
Some of these roads are dangerous due to their poor signalling/conditions and lots of trucks. Most of them are toll-roads and have electronic speed traps. Schedule your travels by car during the day; it is simply safer. Another important point is that the Guaíba Bridge, in the BR-290, which crosses Lake Guaíba, is a movable bridge that may have its transit interrupted for lifting its movable span to give passage to large ships. It is important to be aware of the lift schedules so as not to be taken by surprise. They are available on the CCR Via Sul website (in Portuguese), the company responsible for the bridge.
The long distance bus station is located in the downtown and offers state, national and international lines. Daily services connects Porto Alegre with several cities inside the country and also Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Paraguay. It is also connected to a Trensurb station and several municipal bus lines.
Besides its decent port facilities for cargo, a commuter catamaran service connects downtown and Barra Shopping Sul to Guaíba, a neighbour city situated on the other side of Guaíba Lake. The crossing takes 20 minutes and costs R$ 7,35 each way. Checking the schedule beforehand is recommended.
The city is roughly a semi-circle that expanded outward in a concentric manner, beginning from the Historic District, right next to the promontory and the harbor. Avenues going from the center to the outer areas of the semi-circle are the radiais (radials) and are crossed by avenues named perimetrais (perimeters). Hence, to go to and from downtown one will use mostly the former, whereas to go from one neighborhood to another, one uses the latter.
To understand the bus system, one must consider the above description. All lines are identified as "(prefix)-number name/neighborhood". Almost all lines are radial, that is, they connect an outer neighborhood to the various downtown terminals. Those lines have no prefix. It is quite common to switch buses at downtown but, considering there is a myriad of lines there, it can be challenging to find the right terminal to hop on the next bus. Transversal lines (prefix "T" - T1, T2, ..., T11), connect different neighborhood without going through the downtown area, effectively eliminating the need of changing buses for the most common trips. Circular lines (prefix "C" - C1, C2, C3), as the name indicates, run in a circular manner, usually connecting parts of the downtown area to the nearest neighborhoods.
The Porto Alegre city bus system is operated by the public company Carris and by four consortiums of private companies. With the exception of Carris, which has lines connecting all regions of Porto Alegre, almost all lines of each consortium connects the Historic District to a different zone of Porto Alegre. Buses can have different colors depending on the region they serve:
The PoaTransporte website provides a map with all the stops nearby and the buses that pass through them, in addition to the route that each bus line takes. Together with Google Maps this can give you a clue.
It is very hard to find bus stops with indication of lines' destinations or timetables. Hence, when in doubt, the easiest way is to ask the locals which bus will get you to you destination. Porto Alegre's buses are, in most cases, clean, safe and fast, specially when the line uses the bus corridor, a reserved lane with special stops in main avenues, effectively avoiding traffic jams. However, Porto Alegre buses can get crowded and accommodate only standing passengers during peak hours, in the early morning and late afternoon. In order to use the bus, you must be at a bus stop and signal or wave your hand to the arriving bus you want to ride (they will not stop unless waved upon!).
The fare must be paid to the bus ticket reviser before crossing the turnstile located inside the bus. Fares may be paid either in cash or using a smartcard system named TRI. TRI-users get discounts in consecutive trips - a 50 percent discount is granted to the second trip within half an hour. Fares are listed below:
class | fare | remarks |
---|---|---|
infant | free | must pass under or over the turnstile |
student | R$ 2.40 | must use a special TRI card |
adult | R$ 4.80 | second trip is R$ 2.40 (with TRI) |
resident senior (60 yr+) | free | must use a special TRI card |
senior (65 yr+) | free | any document proving age is enough |
The Lotação is an alternative transportation system, with fewer lines, served by minibuses with up to 20 people in capacity. All minibuses are air conditioned and some of them have reclining seats. Unlike buses, Lotações do not travel on the bus lanes and you can get on and off at any point (that is, outside the designated stops) of the trip. The fare is R$ 8. The minibuses are easily recognized by their "red, white and blue" color. If you're not sure if a Lotação goes to the destination you want to go, just wave your hand, wait until it stops and from the street ask the driver if it goes to your destination (for instance to go to Iguatemi Mall just say Iguatemi?), don't go in just to ask otherwise the driver might ask you to pay the fare since the counter is measured on the stairs near the door.
There are plenty of taxis. They can be pricey, if compared to other towns, but they are also an easier, safer and more dependable option than buses in some cases. To ride a cab, one can walk to the nearest "taxi stop" (usually in crowded areas or points of interest), wave for an empty passing cab or call a tele-táxi service. Tele-táxi may charge extra for this service. The price of the fare is determined by a machine called taxímetro, usually in front of the passenger seat. There is always a minimum price, which is shown when the machine is reset for the trip, which is, as of 2011, R$3.50. Next to the value, there is a "flag" indicator that shows the level of price being paid, always according to the service. Usually there is a table inside of the cab explaining each level of service. It is recommended to check if the correct level is being charged at the beginning of the trip, in order to avoid problems when you reach your destination.
Walking around is a reasonable idea only inside a given neighborhood or downtown, as opposed to from one neighborhood to another, as they are usually too far apart. Walking during the night in most parts of the city is outright dangerous. During the day, it is recommended to pay attention to your belongings at all times, due to activity of pickpockets and other thieves. Pedestrian crossings, most of the time, are completely ignored by the vast majority of drivers; never rely on them without looking or making sure the driver will stop. It is also not recommended to cross the street outside the proper crossing areas in traffic jams: motorbike riders usually split between stopped cars, causing a great risk to pedestrians.
Linha Turismo is a tourist bus line that rides through 11 neighbourhoods and shows the main attractions of the city (parks, trees, statues, hospitals, churches, etc.), with audio guides in three languages. The trip is 28 km long and lasts for about 1 hr 20 min, and the arrival is at the same departure address. From Tuesdays to Sundays (holidays included), at 09:00, 10:30, 13:30, 15:00 and 16:30 (winter) or 10:30, 13:30, 15:00, 16:30 and 18:00 (summer). The tickets cost R$30 for a normal fare and R$15 for the student (Foreigners need to have a International Student Identity Card) . Travessa do Carmo Street 84, phones +55 51 3213-3464 and +55 51 3212-1628:
UFRGS (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul) is the largest public university in the state. UFRGS has its own entrance exam (Vestibular), held between December and January and is one of the ways of admission to the university along with ENEM (the national admission exam). The UFRGS Vestibular is the most competitive in Rio Grande do Sul and one of the most competitive exams in Brazil. PUCRS (Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul) is private and also an important learning centre. Both have exchange programmes with foreign universities and institutions in many countries of the world.
Churrascaria Giovanaz, Venâncio Aires. An inexpensive churrascaria in the Cidade Baixa. You can eat as much meat (and side dishes) as you like for less than R$15.
Lancheria do Parque, Avenida Osvaldo Aranha, 1086 (Bairro Bom Fim, across from the Parque Redençao), +55 51 3311-8321. 06:00-00:00. Has possibly the best cheap eats in Porto Alegre. Lunch is a very good buffet where the offerings are always fresh and tasty. The menu offers incredible fresh juices and vitaminas and they are big. Sandwiches include the traditional Bauru: steak or chicken with egg, cheese, lettuce and tomato on a special bun (meal size). X~s with excellent ingredients. Plates: steaks mostly. A great chicken soup. Risotto. Everything is good, much better than most lancherias. Despite what your Brazilian friends might say, the staff does appreciate a 10% tip, even though they rarely receive it. For the great service you will receive they will certainly deserve it! Buffet from R$6, juices from R$2 2021-03-05
Reçaka Bar, José do Patrocínio, 531 (lunch time) or 495 (dinner time) (Cidade Baixa), +55 51 3072-3249. Steaks, fillets, fries, salads and whatever you ask them to prepare.
Tudo Pelo Social, Rua João Alfredo 448, Cidade Baixa, +55 51 3226-4405. Serves simple dishes, such as beef and fries, but the quality is awesome and the prices are unbelievable. Buffet self-service on lunch hour. Expect lines during lunch and dinner time.
X Speed, Cidade Baixa, Av. Lima e Silva. Typical sandwich of Porto Alegre; it's a cheap option..
Porto Alegre's nightlife is basically divided onto two neighborhoods: Cidade Baixa and Moinhos de Vento. Although, several pubs and clubs are located throughout the city.
Cidade Baixa is an old neighborhood, filled with historical buildings and oldfashioned mansions. Most of the popular and cheap bars are located in Lima e Silva Street; they are the traditional xis (cheeseburgers) places, such as Speed and Cavanhas. In República Street, pubs and bars are fancier and more expensive too. Inside the old mansions of João Alfredo Street, several dance clubs party every night. The places are perfect to dance Brazilian popular music (called MPB) and samba.
Moinhos de Vento is one of the richest neighborhoods in town. Its bars and clubs are more likely to be fashionable. Expect bars to be pricey. Along Padre Chagas Street you can find typical Irish pubs and cafes.
Other options are:
The area code for Porto Alegre is 51.
For national calls, press 0 + operator code + area code (DDD) + telephone number. For national cover calls, press 90 + operator code + area code (DDD) + telephone number. For international calls, press 00 + operator code + country code (in Brazil, the country code is +55) + city code + telephone number.
The entire city is covered by mobile internet using 4G technology by operators Vivo, Tim and Claro. Recharging cards for these operators can be found in a variety of places like supermarkets, pharmacies and eletronics stores. Porto Alegre is the first capital to start introducing 5G technology in some neighborhoods. 5G signal coverage will be gradually increased by operators until 2025, as per user demand.
Porto Alegre has greatly reduced rates of violent crime, and the city has become safer than it was before, including in some poor neighborhoods, such as Mario Quintana, Bom Jesus, Santa Tereza, and Lomba do Pinheiro. In 2021, the homicide rate in Porto Alegre was 16.6 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, much lower than in 2018, which was 45.5 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. However, it is still recommended to use common sense and take the usual safety precautions.
All safety recommendations that apply to any major city in general also apply to Porto Alegre:
Most residential neighborhoods and upper-class neighborhoods (such as Moinhos de Vento, Bela Vista and Higienópolis) are reasonably safe.
Lake Guaíba is polluted by sewage and industrial effluents. Occasionally, some more secluded spots may be temporarily suitable for bathing. Since 2021, the city's Water and Sewerage Department (DMAE) regularly publishes a bathing report (in Portuguese, relatório de balneabilidade).
In Porto Alegre, the electric power voltage is 127 V, unlike the rest of the cities in Rio Grande do Sul, where the voltage is 220 V. It is common for electrical equipment sold in Porto Alegre to be bi-volt, however, always check carefully.
If you need immediate help, the emergency numbers is 190 for Police, 192 for Paramedics or 193 for Firefighters.
2nd-order administrative division
Primary administrative division