Petropolis - Rio de Janeiro

Petropolis is located just over 60 km away from Rio de Janeiro, more precisely, in the Serrana Region of the State. Close to the cities of Teresópolis, Nova Friburgo and Guapimirim.

Petrópolis is the perfect destination for a weekend for two, a family holiday, a trip with friends and even a few days alone to disconnect from the world.

Super versatile and, best of all, well located and easy to reach, the city pleases all tastes.

Here you will find a guide with absolutely ALL the information you need about what to do in Petrópolis. After all, like good petropolitan women, we love our city and we are going to give you several tips that will make you fall in love with the Imperial City as well.

Petropolis: the imperial city

The pleasant climate of Petrópolis was what attracted the attention of D. Pedro I, as he passed through the city on his way to Minas Gerais. To escape the heat of Rio de Janeiro, he bought a farm, with the intention of building his summer palace there to receive friends from Europe.

As he died before carrying out his plan, he ended up leaving the land to his son, D. Pedro II. He then went well beyond his father's plans and decided to build a city in fact, with an urban plan prepared by the German major Júlio Frederico Koeler.

Hence the name of Avenida Koeler, one of the main ones in Petrópolis, full of beautiful mansions right in the historic center of the city.

Then, in 1843 the city was officially founded and became one of the first designed cities in the country. Because it became a darling among the nobles of the time, many built their own palaces in the region. Nowadays, these preserved mansions are considered historical heritage of Brazil.

Tourism in Petropolis

What most attracts visitors to Petrópolis is the way the city brings together history, culture, ecotourism, quality cuisine and a delicious climate all in one place.

It has activities for all tastes, tours for couples looking for a romantic weekend in the mountains, for the more adventurous looking for trails and waterfalls and for families who want to walk through the historic center, visit museums and discover more about the history of Brazil.

After all, it's not for nothing that it earned the nickname of the Imperial City.

Going to Petrópolis by bus is super simple and has no secret. At the Novo Rio Bus Terminal, just take the Única Fácil bus. The trip is not very long, it takes about 1h30.

The Petrópolis bus station is about 15 minutes from the city center. There are municipal bus options and, of course, taxis, uber and even some hotels offer a transfer to pick you up.

How is the weather in Petropolis?

In general, the climate in Petrópolis is very pleasant, with temperatures between 20ºC and 25ºC. During the winter the cold can be very rigorous, don't underestimate it! Especially if you are in the higher areas and away from the city center.

If you're from Rio de Janeiro and not used to the cold, it's good to be prepared, as temperatures below 10ºC are quite frequent.

When to visit Petropolis

When to go to Petrópolis will depend a lot on what you are looking to do there, since, basically, any day is a good day to make this trip.

For those who enjoy ecotourism and want to go on trails, the ideal is to go in autumn/winter. During this period there are also festivals going on in the city and the cold weather makes the weather delicious, especially for couples.

December is also a great time to visit Petrópolis, as the city is becoming a tourist hub due to its beautiful Christmas decorations. Soon it will be competing with Natal Luz de Gramado.

Winter in Petropolis

Winter in the Serrana Region can be very rigorous, especially for those who come from Rio and are not used to it. However, the winter in Petrópolis is so hectic that it will make you face any cold.

During this period the calendar of events is very full, there is the famous Bauernfest, the winter festival, the wine week and other events that make the city super busy. It is also the time to enjoy a good fondue, which is a hit on restaurant menus.

Summer in Petropolis

During the summer, temperatures rise, but are still very pleasant. The weather is perfect for a walk around the city, especially through the Historic Center. It's also a great time to enjoy the waterfalls, there are many, some of them super easy to reach.

Summer in Petrópolis also calls for a visit to the Serra dos Órgãos National Park, whether for a walk in the middle of nature, a family outing or even a picnic.

Bauernfest: the biggest beer festival in the state of Rio

Bauernfest commemorates the arrival of Germanic immigrants in the 19th century. It is one of the biggest events in Petrópolis and takes place inside Cervejaria Bohemia, at Palácio de Cristal and surroundings, right in the center of Petrópolis.

The vast program includes presentations of folk dances, typical bands, choirs, chamber music, symphony orchestras, dances and competitions. The most disputed is the Chopp in Metro.

It's 10 days of party, with a vast schedule and the best, all free! You only pay what you consume at the stalls.

Bunka Sai (Japanese Party)

Petrópolis also has a special party to honor Japanese culture. Bunka Sai takes place during the winter, at the Crystal Palace (although we said that this is a busy period in the city). The program is full of folk dances, martial arts classes, origami workshops, manga, ikebana (those super traditional flower arrangements), competitions and lots of live music.

Of course, the typical foods could not be missing, right? There are several stalls scattered around the garden of the Palácio de Cristal.

Italian Party

It is in the Crystal Palace that the popular Serra Serata Italian Party also takes place, which honors Italian immigrants and their rich culture. It is an event for the whole family, with lots of music, typical dances, theater, exhibitions and, of course, an excellent gastronomy with the best of Italian cuisine.

Traditionally, the party takes place in September and admission is free.

Agricultural Festival

Also known as Expo Petrópolis, this is the most anticipated event in the city, as it always brings great artists to a show like that! There are five days with a hectic schedule in the Municipal Park of Itaipava. In addition to the main stages, there is also the “Petrópolis stage” which receives local artists.

It has an amusement park and play area for children. There is, of course, the agricultural part, where you can find fresh products grown in the region and still a lot of options for those who want to taste the local delicacies.

It's a great time for those who want to walk around Petrópolis in the morning and have a more hectic schedule at the end of the day.

Imperial Christmas

Every year Petrópolis surprises its residents and visitors with the Imperial Christmas festival of lights. It's almost a smaller version of Natal Luz de Gramado.

But it's smaller for now, as it's been growing year after year and it won't be any surprise if very soon it becomes a new point for tourists from Brazil and the world who love to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.

Now that you've got all the tips, all you have to do is set up the itinerary, choose the accommodation using BITBOOK.NET, pack your suitcase and throw yourself into the charm of this amazing place.

I have no doubt that you will have unforgettable days. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and we'll be happy to answer them!

Safe travel and enjoy this amazing place!