A night at Mirante do Vale and a reconciliation with Downtown São Paulo traduzido por: OPENROUTER

São Paulo is an intense city. Even so, every year it attracts more than 47 million tourists (data from the São Paulo City Hall), eager to discover something in this city of so many facets.

I stayed at Mirante do Vale and felt like an outsider. Unlike my experience with Copan, this building carries a more underground vibe: it's less caviar and more that tasty street snack after a night out. The reason I felt out of my nest is that I found myself exploring this downtown São Paulo — the one that draws you closer to the city's more nocturnal side and pulls you away from the idea that downtown is dead. It vibrates, it lives, and it's being reborn even stronger.

Localizado no centro histórico, o Mirante do Vale oferece uma vista privilegiada da capital paulista. (Gaf.arq/Wikimedia Commons/CASACOR)

For those who don't know it, I'll briefly introduce Mirante do Vale (but it's worth checking out the full history in this guide about the building). For many years, it was considered the tallest building in Brazil, with more than 150 meters in height and 51 floors. The original name, "Palácio Zarzur Kogan," was lost over time. Due to its proximity to the Vale do Anhangabaú — one of the city's most important postcards — the building came to be remembered by the hotspot. As for "Mirante," that came for obvious reasons: the panoramic view, which in almost 30 years living in São Paulo, I had never seen anything like.

The night at Mirante do Vale

The second and third floors have some very practical shops and restaurants for those who want to buy a wine or another drink, an appetizer, have lunch, or just explore.

Apartamento da Vossa Bossa Stay. Foto: Patrick Szymshek (CASACOR)

On the third floor, I stopped by Sampa 22 Burger — nothing gourmet, just to grab a real snack. The combos range between R$ 44 and R$ 76, and you can eat right there or wait for the WhatsApp notification when it's ready. A curious detail is that each item on the menu is named after a famous neighborhood in the city.

I stayed on the 37th floor, in the Vossa Bossa Stay apartment (@vossabossastay), an accommodation company that seeks to provide travelers with the possibility to explore São Paulo like a local resident. The space is super spacious and was entirely designed for a memorable experience. The minimalist atmosphere, with lots of natural texture, almost feels like a beach setting, yet keeps the São Paulo soul. I felt embraced, while the city pulsed outside.

Apartamento da Vossa Bossa Stay. Foto: Patrick Szymshek (CASACOR)

The apartment was fully equipped with everything you need, and it's an excellent option if you're traveling alone or as a couple. The lighting creates an intimate atmosphere throughout the room, and the spaciousness opens up a universe of possibilities to enjoy the moment with freedom.

The price to rent a short-stay space at Mirante do Vale varies, and there are several options. I got to see a few and I guarantee it's a new experience with each apartment, because the decor isn't standardized — there's something for every taste (learn more by clicking here to check out the options).

Apartamento da Vossa Bossa Stay. Foto: Patrick Szymshek (CASACOR)

Seeing the Farol Santander beautiful, vibrant, red. The Vale do Anhangabaú, the Santa Ifigênia Viaduct. A dysrhythmia! The lookout honoring its name. You can hear the city's sounds calming down, but never sleeping. São Paulo never tires.

I was once the person who wanted to leave São Paulo, and that is not uncommon at all. An unequal city, with unrealistic prices, and everything rushes — the days pass so fast that sometimes it feels like a relationship in crisis. But when you go to places like this, you can almost forget all the problems and see the beauty in the chaos. If you, who are reading this, are from São Paulo, you probably know what I am talking about — and, if you still think there is hope for a reconciliation with the city, Mirante do Vale might be a place to rekindle it.

Apartamento da Vossa Bossa Stay. Foto: Patrick Szymshek (CASACOR)

The building was a pleasant surprise. At first sight, the area can be intimidating. But stepping into it brings a feeling of power and curiosity. There is so much to see there. Have lunch at São Bento, visit the Galeria do Rock, go shopping at 25 de Março, and photograph the Catedral da Sé.

Apartamento da Vossa Bossa Stay. Foto: Patrick Szymshek (CASACOR)

If Copan made me feel part of something — an old, almost institutional bohemia — the Mirante brought me back to the place of someone who is discovering. And maybe that was what I needed: not a Downtown that welcomes me, but one that challenges me to understand.

São Paulo has a reputation for swallowing those who live in it. That night, the roles were reversed — it was I who, for a few hours, devoured the entire city.

traduzido por: OPENROUTER