The observation deck
A full circle of views.
Governo do Estado de São Paulo — CC BY 2.0 · Webysther Nunes — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wilfredor — CC0 · Webysther Nunes — CC BY-SA 4.0
Farol Santander is the present name of the Altino Arantes Building, the Art Deco skyscraper built between 1939 and 1947 as the headquarters of the State Bank of São Paulo, modelled on the Empire State Building in New York. It rises 161 metres over 35 floors, was the city's tallest building for more than a decade until 1960, and was listed as heritage in 2014. Santander turned it into a cultural centre after buying the bank, and its highlight is the observation deck at the top: a full circle of views reaching some forty kilometres, over São Paulo's endless sea of buildings, the towers of Avenida Paulista, the Anhangabaú valley and the historic buildings of the centre. The ticket covers the deck and the permanent and temporary exhibitions on the floors, including the old bank offices kept as they were. Visitors go up to the deck in small groups, so expect a short wait at busy times.
A full circle of views.
On the Empire State model.
Kept as they were.
Rua João Brícola 24, central São Paulo
Rua 25 de MarçoRua 25 de Março is São Paulo's best-known street for popular shopping, and its s3 minutes walk4.4
São Paulo Municipal Market (Mercadão)The Municipal Market, the Mercadão to paulistanos, is a large covered food marke8 minutes walk4.6
LiberdadeLiberdade is São Paulo's Japanese quarter, in the city with the largest Japanese20 minutes walkNo; tickets are R$45, half price R$22.50, covering the deck and exhibitions, and it is closed on Mondays.