3-Day Friends Getaway — Belo Horizonte (Spring)
A fun, vibrant 3-day plan for a friend group who loves good food, live music, playful activities and lively neighborhoods. Spring in Belo Horizonte (September) brings pleasant days, mild evenings and great light for the Pampulha circuit and Inhotim day trip.
Highlights
- Taste Minas specialties and craft beers at Mercado Central and Savassi
- Bike the Lagoa da Pampulha circuit and admire Oscar Niemeyer’s Igreja da Pampulha
- Sunset views from Mirante das Mangabeiras
- Day trip to Instituto Inhotim — massive outdoor art gardens perfect for group photos
- Evenings of live music, craft brews and escape-room banter
Itinerary
Day 1
First day: settle in, dive into Minas flavors, soak up culture in Praça da Liberdade and sample Savassi nightlife.
Mercado Central de Belo Horizonte — shared food-hall tasting
Explore the bustling Mercado Central for cachaça shops, cheese and pão de queijo stalls — perfect for grazing and splitting plates. Great for groups who want to try many things and keep costs flexible.
Tips from local experts:
- Start at the cheese counters (queijos) and split a few samples — sellers will happily let you taste before buying.
- Bring small bills for quick purchases; pick a central stall as a meeting point if the group splits up.
- Plan for 1–2 hours: many vendors are group-friendly but the aisles are narrow, so keep bags compact and meet outside the main gate for easy regrouping.
Lunch at Xapuri — lively Minas classics in a garden setting
Savor traditional Minas Gerais dishes in a rustic, group-friendly restaurant with large tables and generous portions ideal for sharing.
Tips from local experts:
- Reserve a table for 4–6 in advance (weekends fill up) and ask for family-style portions to share.
- Try the feijão tropeiro and a selection of house-made sweets for a communal dessert round.
- Arrive hungry — portions are generous and made to be shared, which helps split the bill fairly among friends.
Circuito Cultural & Praça da Liberdade — breezy cultural stroll
Walk the Praça da Liberdade cultural circuit: gardens, historic palaces and small museums. Good for photos and light exploration after lunch.
Tips from local experts:
- The complex has many small museums; choose 1–2 to avoid museum fatigue with a group.
- Outdoor benches are great for regrouping — pick a café terrace for a mid-afternoon break if you want to linger.
- Spring afternoons are mild; bring a light layer for evening humidity changes and enjoy the golden-hour photos near the palaces.
Savassi neighborhood — coffee break and neighborhood vibe
Stroll through Savassi: cafés, shops and lively sidewalks. Great for a relaxed coffee/juices and people-watching while you plan the evening.
Tips from local experts:
- Savassi is the city’s social hub — pick a café with outdoor seating so the group can be lively without worrying about noise.
- Most bars and restaurants here split bills easily via apps; ask staff for one bill if you prefer to split evenly.
- If anyone wants souvenirs, small craft shops near Praça da Savassi are walkable and friendly to group browsing.
Night out at Jack Rock Bar — live music & casual bar scene
Finish the evening with lively music, local beers and an energetic crowd. Suitable for groups who enjoy a spirited night and table service for groups of 4–6+.
Tips from local experts:
- Reserve a table in advance and request a corner or larger table — the venue is used to groups and live music.
- Arrive early for the best table and to avoid cover charges; share pitchers or bottle specials to keep costs down.
- Use ride apps or pre-arranged pickups late at night; bars in Savassi are well-serviced by taxis and apps.
Day 2
Pampulha architecture + active morning on the lagoon, an afternoon lookout hike, then an escape-room challenge and craft beers at night.
Bike loop around Lagoa da Pampulha — active & scenic
Self-guided or rental bike loop around the Lagoa da Pampulha to see the Oscar Niemeyer landmarks and get a playful group workout with photo stops.
Tips from local experts:
- Spring mornings are ideal — start early to avoid midday sun and secure bike rentals nearby.
- Bring a small backpack with water and sunscreen; there are short stops with benches near the Igreja and Casa do Baile.
- Plan the route to stop at the Igreja São Francisco de Assis (the "Igrejinha") for group photos and then Casa do Baile for a quick stroll.
Igreja São Francisco de Assis — the iconic Pampulha church
Short visit to the Oscar Niemeyer-designed church — quick cultural stop while on the Pampulha loop.
Tips from local experts:
- Arrive between bike stops to avoid crowds and get good photo angles from the lagoon walkway.
- Respect the church atmosphere (it's an active chapel); quick photos are fine but keep groups quiet inside.
- There’s a viewpoint across the lagoon with unobstructed shots of the church — perfect for group poses.
Lunch at Dona Lucinha — classic Minas lunch (group-friendly)
Family-style Minas cooking with multiple dishes ideal for sharing and splitting the bill among friends.
Tips from local experts:
- Ask for a large shared plate or the lunch buffet (if available) so everyone gets a taste without ordering individually.
- Reserve or arrive early — popular with locals and good for groups of 4–6.
- Pair mains with a caipirinha or local draft beer for a festive group meal.
Parque das Mangabeiras & Mirante — afternoon hike and city views
Head to Mangabeiras for trails, city panoramas and an easy group hike to the Mirante for sunset colors over Belo Horizonte.
Tips from local experts:
- Wear comfortable shoes — trails are uneven in places but there are shorter paths to the main mirantes for mixed-ability groups.
- Bring a light jacket for spring evenings; the temperature can drop at the mirante after sunset.
- Coordinate a meeting point with a clear landmark (main parking lot) before splitting for photo ops so the group can reconvene easily.
Escape 60 — group puzzle & team challenge
An immersive escape-room game — great for a friend group to test teamwork and have playful competition before dinner.
Tips from local experts:
- Book a room designed for 4–6 players in advance and tell them it's a group celebrating — they often set the scene.
- Keep phones tucked away to improve team focus and make the experience more social.
- If anyone gets stuck, the game master can give gentle hints — agree on a hint strategy as a group so everyone stays engaged.
Wäls Taproom — craft beers and bar snacks
Finish the night at a local craft brewery taproom for flights, sharable snacks and a relaxed vibe that welcomes lively groups.
Tips from local experts:
- Order a tasting flight so the group can sample different brews and split the cost easily.
- Ask the staff for recommended pairings (cheese boards or small plates) to share across the table.
- Taprooms often have communal tables — call ahead if you want a private table for your group size.
Day 3
Full-day art & garden escape to Instituto Inhotim (Brumadinho), then a relaxed farewell evening back in BH.
Meet & transfer to Inhotim (group pickup point)
Gather at a central meeting point in the city and depart together for the Inhotim day trip (arranged private transfer or tour van recommended to fit the group).
Tips from local experts:
- Meet at Praça da Estação for easy driver access and luggage stowage if you bought picnic items.
- Confirm a pick-up time and vehicle size when booking a private transfer — vans are best for groups of 4–6.
- Bring sunscreen, water and a lightweight day pack — there’s a lot of walking at Inhotim and limited shaded seating between exhibits.
Instituto Inhotim — sprawling open-air contemporary art & gardens
Spend the full day exploring Inhotim’s vast botanical gardens and contemporary art pavilions. Rent bikes onsite or stroll — the gardens are perfect for group photos and relaxed exploration.
Tips from local experts:
- Buy tickets in advance for guaranteed entry and to avoid long lines; plan 6–8 hours to properly enjoy the gardens and galleries.
- Rent bikes at the park to cover more ground and keep the group moving playfully between pavilions.
- Bring a light picnic blanket and take a group snack break by one of the lakes — lots of scenic spots for relaxed downtime and photos.
Return transfer to Belo Horizonte
Head back to the city after a full day — time to freshen up at your accommodation before the evening.
Tips from local experts:
- Coordinate a single return pickup time so the group comes back together and can share transportation costs.
- Use the transfer time to discuss favorite exhibits and plan a low-key farewell dinner.
- If anyone got sun-exposed at Inhotim, recommend a quick rehydration break and light snack before going out.
Quick freshen-up (break) in Savassi
30–60 min break to change, rest and reconvene in Savassi — pick a café or your hotel lounge to regroup before the evening.
Tips from local experts:
- Aim for a 45–60 minute break so everyone has time to change and recharge after a long day.
- If you’re tired, order a round of light snacks and shared desserts to revive energy for the last night.
- Agree on a single meeting point (café or hotel lobby) so nobody gets left behind — send a quick location pin if needed.
Evening show at Cine Theatro Brasil Vallourec — cultural nightcap
Check the theatre’s schedule and catch a concert, comedy or live show for a memorable final night — perfect for groups who love shared experiences.
Tips from local experts:
- Book tickets in advance and pick seats together — many shows have flexible pricing and group discounts.
- Arrive early to enjoy the historic theatre lobby and snap group photos under the lights.
- If the show doesn’t include dinner, choose a nearby Savassi restaurant beforehand for a quick, group-friendly meal; leave 60–90 minutes between dinner and showtime.
