← LIVE!42K Brasília·2 nights

Pirenópolis: Two Nights in a Colonial Town

Two nights in a colonial town in Goiás about 150 km from the capital, with short flat walks between churches and small museums.

Duration2 nights
TransitCoach or private car of about 3 hours from Brasília
DepartsBrasília

After LIVE!42K Brasília: Pirenópolis

The Route: Brasília → Pirenópolis (2 nights) → Brasília → Airport (BSB) Logistics: A coach from the Terminal Rodoviário Interestadual in Brasília takes about 3 hours, or a private car about 2½ hours. Leave Monday and return Wednesday. Marathon Month: August Duration: 2 nights

Brasília hotel ──(taxi)──> Rodoviária Interestadual ──(coach, about 3 h)──> Pirenópolis (2 nights)
Pirenópolis ──(coach or car)──> Brasília ──(taxi)──> Airport (BSB)

Pirenópolis is a colonial town in Goiás, listed by the state tourism portal about 150 km from Brasília, with churches from the 18th century and a centre made for slow walks. It is a good place to be bored by a marathon.

August in Pirenópolis is dry, like the capital. Days are warm and mornings cool, and the sun is strong on stone streets. Wear a hat. Waterfall walks are a poor idea for tired legs, and the dry season does not make the trails any easier.

Getting there

A coach operator runs between Brasília's interstate bus terminal and Pirenópolis, with two departures a day, taking about 3 hours at an average and 2 hours 38 minutes at the quickest, with fares from about R$77. Published departure times are inconsistent, so check the schedule with the operator before you plan your Monday. A private car covers the road in roughly 2½ hours without stops, and a driver's quote is worth getting. Buy the return ticket for Wednesday morning.

Monday: arrival

Settle in, eat early and walk gently. The Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário, built from 1728, is listed open Thursday to Monday from 07:00 to 17:00 for R$2, so Monday is the day to see it, since it is shut on Tuesday and Wednesday. Ask your pousada to confirm the hours.

Tuesday: the small museums

The Museu das Cavalhadas on Rua Direita, number 39, is listed open daily from 08:00 to 20:00 with free entry. The Museu do Divino and the old council chamber and jail stand on Avenida Beira Rio, in front of the Ponte Velha, a stone and timber bridge built between 1899 and 1903. The Igreja do Carmo with its Museu de Arte Sacra and the Igreja do Bonfim are listed open Wednesday to Sunday, so they are shut on Tuesday. Leave them for another trip, or stay a day longer.

Where to stay

Pousada das Cavalhadas is in the centre, in front of the Igreja do Rosário at the start of Rua do Lazer, in a historic mansion with breakfast, a pool and a garden. Pousada Casa Grande is on Rua Aurora, in another historic mansion near the Pé di Café. Ask each about a late checkout and whether the room has steps.

Where to eat

Ask your pousada for a lunch place on the main street and ring ahead, since small restaurants keep short winter hours.

Getting home

Take the coach or car back to Brasília on Wednesday, then a taxi to Brasília International Airport (BSB), which is outside the Plano Piloto. Leave a clear day before an international flight, since roads and coach schedules can change.