Stand at the eastern end of the Monumental Axis and the city arranges itself in front of you: the two towers of Congresso Nacional rising between the domes, the Palácio do Planalto off to one side, the Supreme Federal Court Palace to the other. On 21 April, the axis is aligned so the sun rises precisely between those two towers. Brasília is a city you read as much as you walk, laid out in the shape of an airplane with the Monumental Axis as its fuselage and the Residential Axis crossing it.
It suits travellers interested in modernist architecture and urban planning, and anyone who wants to understand how a capital was designed from scratch. Much of the pleasure is in the open air and the public works of art — Burle Marx's landscape design, Athos Bulcão's tile panels, Oscar Niemeyer's buildings and sculptures — which you can see on the streets for free.
This guide covers the principal sights in and around the Plano Piloto, with a one-day route through the strongest of them and answers to the questions visitors ask most.
Top things to do in Brasília
1. Three Powers Square (Praça dos Três Poderes)
At the eastern end of the Monumental Axis, this square gathers the seats of the country's three highest authorities: the Congress, the Palácio do Planalto and the Supreme Court. Around it you will also find the bronze statue of two abstract figures named Os Candangos, a "blind justice" statue by the Supreme Court, a small museum about Juscelino Kubitschek, the Pantheon, the Eternal Flame monument, and a scale model of Brasília in an underground space.
Give it time rather than treating it as a photo stop — the square rewards slow looking, and the façade of the Palace of Justice has waterfalls that contrast with its stern geometrical beauty. Come on 21 April if you can, when the sunrise falls precisely between the two towers of Congress.
2. Congresso Nacional
The Palácio do Congresso Nacional offers a guided visit that starts every half hour from 09:00, beginning in the Salão Negro, which you reach via the main ramp. The tour lasts 50 minutes and entrance is free.
Note that you cannot enter wearing shorts and slippers from Monday to Friday, so dress accordingly. The building sits on Three Powers Square, making it easy to combine with the rest of the square in one visit.
3. Brasilia Cathedral
With its 16 curved 90-ton concrete pillars and stained-glass panels, this is one of the world's most remarkable modernist buildings. It is open Monday to Saturday 07:00–17:00, and Tuesday to Friday and Sunday 08:00–18:00.
The Brasilia National Museum is nearby on the Monumental Axis, so the two pair naturally in a single outing.
4. Itamaraty Palace
Home to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this building stands out among the ministry buildings at Esplanada dos Ministérios for its architecture and sculptures. Guided visits run Monday to Friday 14:00–16:30 and Saturday and Sunday 10:00–15:30.
Because the weekday and weekend timings differ, check which slot fits your plans before setting out along the Esplanada.
5. Television Tower
In the middle of the Monumental Axis, the tower was long the best place for a sweeping panorama of the city and remains the second best now that the TV Digital Tower has opened. It is open Tuesday to Sunday 08:00–20:00 and entry is free.
There is a crafts and typical food market at the base of the tower, which makes it a sensible stop for souvenirs or a snack alongside the view.
6. Juscelino Kubitschek Memorial
On the western part of the axis, at the city's highest location, this museum is dedicated to the life and accomplishments of the president and houses his remains. It sits underground and has a slightly spooky 1960s science-fiction feel to it.
Pair it with the Television Tower, which is also on the Monumental Axis, to make one westward run along the axis.
7. Paranoá Lake
Pontão has lakeside restaurants and a park, while the Ermida Dom Bosco chapel provides views of the city from across the lake and is an excellent place to watch Brasília's famous sunsets. You can swim in the lake at the Ecological Park next to the Ermida.
Plan the lake for the end of the day so the sunset is your reward, and eat at Pontão afterwards.
8. City Park (Parque da Cidade)
In the South Wing, this wide green area is the city's hot spot for sports such as jogging, cycling, skating and even kart racing, as well as barbecues and other outdoor activities.
It is a good counterweight to a morning of buildings — bring water and treat it as an unhurried afternoon rather than a sight to tick off.
9. Dom Bosco Church
On Av. W3 sul, quadra 702, this modern church is built with concrete and blue stained glass. Bosco was a 19th-century Italian priest whose writings, some say, prophesied the creation of Brasília, and it is hard not to notice the huge crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the square church.
It sits along the W3, one of the arterials of the Residential Axis, so it fits into a wander through the wings rather than the Monumental Axis.
10. Little Church (Igrejinha)
At EQS 307/308, this was the first church built inside Plano Piloto, inaugurated in 1958, and it looks somewhat like a nun's hat. It was designed by Niemeyer and clad with Bulcão tiles.
Its small scale and tile cladding make it a useful contrast to the cathedral; visit both if you are tracing Niemeyer's churches.
11. Ermida Dom Bosco
Next to QI 28 in Lago Sul, this is a monument, chapel and park on the edge of the lake, dedicated to the Italian monk who prophesied the construction of a new civilization at the site of Brasília. Entry is free and it is a daytime destination.
Combine it with the lake: the Ecological Park next to the Ermida is where you can swim, and the chapel's vantage point is the one to keep for sunset.
12. TV Digital Tower (Cerrado Flower)
In the Colorado neighborhood, this is the newest TV tower, inaugurated on 21 April 2012 and designed by Niemeyer as one of his last works. Two glass observatories complete the structure: the highest, 80 m above the floor, is to contain a restaurant with a panoramic view, and the other is to be used as an art gallery.
It is outside the wings, so treat it as a separate trip rather than something to fold into a Monumental Axis walk.
13. Universidade de Brasília (UnB)
The big campus in the North Wing has interesting modern architecture from the 1960s until the 2010s. Its Olympic Center is by the lake and is not much visited by tourists, but has some nice options for hiking, jogging and swimming.
Go if you want the athletic side of the city rather than the ceremonial one, and combine it with the lake area.
14. Parque Olhos D'Água
A park in the northern wing of the city, mainly used for jogging. It has many springs, streams and a small pond, and its facilities include a playground and two outdoor gyms.
It is a modest stop, best slotted into a morning run or a slow hour rather than a dedicated excursion.
15. Brasilia National Museum
On the Monumental Axis near the Brasilia Cathedral, this was built to be the city's home for renowned national and international exhibitions. The outside space has become a regular venue for free concerts and events and is popular for skating, though its collections are temporary and limited in size and importance. Entry is free.
Check what is on before you go, and pair it with the cathedral next door so the trip is worthwhile either way.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Three Powers Square (Praça dos Três Poderes) at the eastern end of the Monumental Axis, taking in Os Candangos, the Pantheon, the Eternal Flame and the scale model of the city underground. Join the guided visit at Congresso Nacional, which starts every half hour from 09:00 and lasts 50 minutes — remember you cannot enter in shorts and slippers Monday to Friday. Then walk the axis to the Brasilia Cathedral.
Afternoon: Continue along the Monumental Axis to the Brasilia National Museum near the cathedral, then to the Television Tower for the panorama and the crafts and typical food market at its base. Finish the axis at the Juscelino Kubitschek Memorial on the western, highest part of the axis.
Evening: Head to Paranoá Lake. Have dinner at Pontão, then watch the sunset from the Ermida Dom Bosco chapel across the lake.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see the sun rise between the towers of Congress?
On 21 April, Tiradentes Day, which marks the death of the Brazilian independence martyr. The Monumental Axis is aligned so that the sun rises precisely between the two towers of Congresso Nacional on that date.
Can I visit Congresso Nacional, and is there a charge?
Yes. The Brazilian National Congress offers a guided visit starting every half hour from 09:00 in the Salão Negro, reached via the main ramp, lasting 50 minutes. Entrance is free. You cannot enter wearing shorts and slippers from Monday to Friday.
Where can I watch the sunset in Brasília?
The Ermida Dom Bosco, near SHIS QI 29, provides views of the city from across Paranoá Lake and is an excellent place to watch Brasília's famous sunsets. You can swim in the lake at the Ecological Park next to the Ermida.
Is there anywhere to see contemporary art and exhibitions?
Yes. The Brasilia National Museum on the Monumental Axis hosts national and international exhibitions, and its outside space is used for free concerts and events. The Television Tower's base also holds a crafts and typical food market, and public works of art by Burle Marx, Athos Bulcão, Niemeyer, Ceschiatti and Bruno Giorgio can be seen on the streets, open air and for free.
Decide your dates, check the guided visit timings for Congresso Nacional and Itamaraty Palace, and you have everything you need to start planning a trip to Brasília.