Nova Lima
Introduction
Nova Lima is a municipality in Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil, whose downtown sits about 20 kilometres south of Belo Horizonte, the state capital. Mining is one of the city's main economic activities, covering the extraction of iron ore and gold.
The city's best-known mine is Morro Velho, a gold mine reaching a depth of 2,700 metres. If you are drawn by that industrial heritage, Morro Velho is the landmark to seek out.
Getting around
Nova Lima has no rail, metro or tram service of its own, so plan on road-based transport: local buses, taxis and ride-hailing cars. The town's compact centre is walkable, but the municipality as a whole spreads out to include mining areas and large protected natural reserves, so for anything beyond the immediate downtown you'll want a vehicle.
The Terminal Rodoviário de Passageiros de Nova Lima, in the Mingu area and reached by road via MG-030, is your anchor for intercity arrivals and departures. Taxis wait at the station entrance, and local bus lines 3001 and 3002 connect to the terminal. On site you'll find a ticket office, snack bar, ATM, free public restrooms, wheelchair ramps and parking that is free for passengers. Ride-hailing apps are a practical option for short trips between the centre and surrounding areas, or for connections toward Belo Horizonte. If you arrive by air, there is no direct airport transfer described for Nova Lima; land at an airport serving Belo Horizonte and continue by road using a taxi, ride-hailing car or intercity bus, then switch to lines 3001 or 3002 or a taxi at the station.
Three days in Nova Lima
Day one: Arrive in Nova Lima, a town in Minas Gerais, Brazil, just outside Belo Horizonte. Start with the town centre and its mining heritage, including Morro Velho, before settling into the pace of local life. If you arrive by bus, the Terminal Rodoviário de Passageiros is your starting point; taxis are on hand, and an ATM is useful for the days ahead.
Day two: Take a ride out to explore the surrounding area of Nova Lima and its mining landscape. Return to town in the evening for a meal and a quiet wander through the streets.
Day three: Spend your last morning revisiting the parts of town you liked most, then head back to the Terminal Rodoviário de Passageiros for your onward journey toward Belo Horizonte or elsewhere in Minas Gerais.