Italian Building
Italian Building
4.5
About
For jaw-dropping views of one of the planet's most sprawling cities, the Edifício Itália is practically peerless. Situated in a bustling, if worn-down corner of downtown São Paulo, the 46-story office tower is capped by the Terraço Itália restaurant and bar. Adequate, expensive food and almost-campy white-glove service aside, you'll never see a sunset as memorable. Free access to observation deck Monday-Friday 3-4 p.m.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Sé
Sé, which derives its name from Sé Square, is a central neighbourhood in historic São Paulo. Close by, the Law School, the Museum of the Court of Justice and the Metropolitan Cathedral offer inspiring architecture. If you are looking for cultural activities, head to Caixa Cultural and check the schedule. In the area there is a popular pedestrian street called “Rua Direita”, one of the first streets in the region, which today marks the crowded perimeter. Sé is a great area to explore during daytime, but use caution if visiting alone at night.
How to get there
- República • 3 min walk
- Anhangabaú • 7 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,457 reviews
Excellent
757
Very good
509
Average
149
Poor
28
Terrible
14
Pedro M
8 contributions
Nov 2022
Let's start with the obvious: Edificio Italia arguably has one of the most amazing views of Sao Paulo's endless skyline. Too bad you're not going to get to see it unless you comply with various arcane demands made of visitors. Welcome to the 1950s.
1. You must book your visit online. No walk-ins. The website isn't intuitive, so give yourself ample time to figure it out. Once you've found the visit ticket, try booking as a foreigner, and you'll find out you need a CPF (which, unless you are Brazilian, you wouldn't have). Error. Error. Error. Error. Computer says no.
2. If somehow you manage to get through, be advised that AMEX and various foreign cards are not accepted — even though supposedly they are... You will be left in an endless loop, waiting for confirmation, only t find out on site that (a) it didn't go through; (b) you need to start again as you sit in the lobby and see the stuck-up receptionists tell visitor after visitor to go through the same dysfunctional procedure you just attempted.
3. At some point you will ask if you can maybe grab food at the empty restaurant. You will then be told that there is a dress code — and since you are a tourist, you most likely are not dressed up enough for the bizarre upper-class rituals in Brazil.
4. Then you will ask the obvious: can I just visit the balcony? At the end of the day, that's all you're there for — the view and a photo or two. You will then be told that even though it's 35 C, since you are wearing shorts, you are not dressed appropriately and will not be allowed onto the balcony terrace, since their bar requires men to wear dress pants and shoes.
So: If what you are looking for is to be reminded of the baroque class system in Brazil, to be exposed to its business inefficiency, and told you are not good enough for this space because you wear shorts, by all means, this is the place for you.
Otherwise, I suggest you skip this terrible experience.
1. You must book your visit online. No walk-ins. The website isn't intuitive, so give yourself ample time to figure it out. Once you've found the visit ticket, try booking as a foreigner, and you'll find out you need a CPF (which, unless you are Brazilian, you wouldn't have). Error. Error. Error. Error. Computer says no.
2. If somehow you manage to get through, be advised that AMEX and various foreign cards are not accepted — even though supposedly they are... You will be left in an endless loop, waiting for confirmation, only t find out on site that (a) it didn't go through; (b) you need to start again as you sit in the lobby and see the stuck-up receptionists tell visitor after visitor to go through the same dysfunctional procedure you just attempted.
3. At some point you will ask if you can maybe grab food at the empty restaurant. You will then be told that there is a dress code — and since you are a tourist, you most likely are not dressed up enough for the bizarre upper-class rituals in Brazil.
4. Then you will ask the obvious: can I just visit the balcony? At the end of the day, that's all you're there for — the view and a photo or two. You will then be told that even though it's 35 C, since you are wearing shorts, you are not dressed appropriately and will not be allowed onto the balcony terrace, since their bar requires men to wear dress pants and shoes.
So: If what you are looking for is to be reminded of the baroque class system in Brazil, to be exposed to its business inefficiency, and told you are not good enough for this space because you wear shorts, by all means, this is the place for you.
Otherwise, I suggest you skip this terrible experience.
Written 16 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dJON6
Aarau, Switzerland64 contributions
Sept 2022
Unfortunately, we were not able to visit the terrace on 41th floor as foreigners because the restaurant only accepts online reservation (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.) with online payment including indication of your CPF number (which you usually don't possess if you're not a Brazilian citizen). The restaurant insisted on online reservation even when we stood in front of the entrance. I just think that it's a pity if you have to give a miss to sth. as a result of such organisational barriers.
Written 21 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrick K
Hong Kong, China8 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
On 29April 2024 evening (5:25pm to 6:30pm), we went to the Terraço Itália restaurant and bar. Having paid R$ 50 as entrance fee, we should be entitled to a free drink (please see the picture, it clearly stated that free drink was included in the entrance fee for visit between 3pm to 7pm daily). However, the waiter of the bar asked us to pay for the drinks saying that free drinking is no longer provided. How come they did not remove the free drink notice hanged at the lift lobby?
Written 22 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
melbev1
Wirral, UK31 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Just visited the Italian building viewing deck in São Paulo. Admittedly wasn’t going to be the best experience as it had started to rain. We were offered a choice of sparkling wine, white wine or pineapple with mint as the included drink on the package we bought through trip advisor. We paid £22.96 for two entry tickets plus drink. As we were sat there, three tourists walked in and were offered same thing for 30 Rs approx £6 so we paid nearly twice the price for exactly the same thing. The viewing deck is not 360 degrees and you can walk about 3/4 of it. Having said that the girl who served us was lovely and the restaurant looks very nice, just don’t book through trip advisor!
Written 7 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paul k
Raleigh, NC16 contributions
Jun 2012 • Friends
The view is nice, if and only if it's sunny. But 30 Brazilian reais per person (except for one hour on weekdays, when it's free), this is an overpriced and underwhelming elevator ride to the top of a truly hideous building.
If you do plan to go, be sure not to dress down too much. As we were leaving, we watched the meathead bouncer downstairs reject a couple of tourists because one of them was wearing flip flops...at 1pm on a Sunday, in Brazil.
Definitely don't waste your time eating at the snooty, hilariously expensive restaurant on top, as the only reason to do so would be if you were a rich Brazilian who wanted to be seen by other rich Brazilians. The food is astonishingly mediocre and the service only looks like it will be good. When we went, our waiter served my friend a different kind of beer from the one he ordered. Rather than apologizing and hurrying out with the correct beer, the waiter asked my friend if he wouldn't mind just drinking what he brought out! Um, no...
Unfortunately, the top of a tall building is one of the very few potential tourist attractions in Sao Paulo. And it's really a shame it has to be like this.
If you do plan to go, be sure not to dress down too much. As we were leaving, we watched the meathead bouncer downstairs reject a couple of tourists because one of them was wearing flip flops...at 1pm on a Sunday, in Brazil.
Definitely don't waste your time eating at the snooty, hilariously expensive restaurant on top, as the only reason to do so would be if you were a rich Brazilian who wanted to be seen by other rich Brazilians. The food is astonishingly mediocre and the service only looks like it will be good. When we went, our waiter served my friend a different kind of beer from the one he ordered. Rather than apologizing and hurrying out with the correct beer, the waiter asked my friend if he wouldn't mind just drinking what he brought out! Um, no...
Unfortunately, the top of a tall building is one of the very few potential tourist attractions in Sao Paulo. And it's really a shame it has to be like this.
Written 3 June 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Björn C
Cologne, Germany71 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
Its a great view over the city of Sao Paolo. And you can relax on a bench or take lots of photos.
However its much too expensive with 32 reals - ok, you get a drink within.
In general they are not really ready for tourists: opening hours started at 3 pm, and you don’t see clearly where to go (we asked reception and they were very friendly).
However its much too expensive with 32 reals - ok, you get a drink within.
In general they are not really ready for tourists: opening hours started at 3 pm, and you don’t see clearly where to go (we asked reception and they were very friendly).
Written 16 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beatriz M
Boston, MA16 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
During the day you can just go to the top and look at the amazing view. Not going to lie, I think the Altino Arantes (old Banespa) is better, but it's been closed and this in pretty great too.
You pay 30R$ and get a glass of wine and walk around. It's not crowded either so you can sit at the bench and just enjoy the view.
You pay 30R$ and get a glass of wine and walk around. It's not crowded either so you can sit at the bench and just enjoy the view.
Written 10 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julius M
Victoria, Australia45 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
The Italian Building is the second highest in SP. Between 3-4pm on Monday to Friday you can ride the elevator to the observation level for free. At any other time you can only do so by going through the pricey bar/lounge area which will cost you.
You ride one lift to the 37th floor then alight to another smaller one to get to the 41st floor. Here you can almost walk around 360 degrees for uninterrupted views of this vast, enormous city. It's an odd observation level with the small amount of space given over to it and it is quite narrow in a couple of places.
I recommend you do the free Old Downtown walking tour first then head to this building when it is over and see how far you have walked and where everything is that you have just seen to get an even better perspective of it all.
Free tourist stuff is great and this one is well worth it.
You ride one lift to the 37th floor then alight to another smaller one to get to the 41st floor. Here you can almost walk around 360 degrees for uninterrupted views of this vast, enormous city. It's an odd observation level with the small amount of space given over to it and it is quite narrow in a couple of places.
I recommend you do the free Old Downtown walking tour first then head to this building when it is over and see how far you have walked and where everything is that you have just seen to get an even better perspective of it all.
Free tourist stuff is great and this one is well worth it.
Written 10 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rzeczpospolita
London, UK485 contributions
Incredible panoramic views over the city of São Paulo.
Beware of the waiters in the panoramic bar, for they are both self-assured and yet totally incompetent.
Definitely worth a visit on merit of the views, though.
Beware of the waiters in the panoramic bar, for they are both self-assured and yet totally incompetent.
Definitely worth a visit on merit of the views, though.
Written 7 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Summergirl332
Los Angeles, CA25 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
I'm visiting Sao Paulo for a few days and hesitated to go here because of previous reviews, but I'm so glad I did! It's worth every penny!
I went on a Saturday afternoon, around 2pm. I think this was the perfect time to come as the bar/lounge at the top of the tower was practically empty. It started getting more crowded around 4pm.
The top of the tower offers 360 degree views of this fantastic city! Pictures don't do it justice. The building itself appears to be quite old from outside but has some great architecture on the inside. The bar at the top has ambiance that reminds me of a cigar lounge, retro Italian style. The seating is very comfortable and the drinks are fabulous.
It takes 2 elevators to reach the top floor. When you reach the 41st floor, there's a restaurant directly as you exit the elevator doors. If you want to see the best views (360 degrees), walk up the steps to the left of the elevators, which will take you to the piano bar. There's a 30BRL / $13USD per person to enter the bar and drinks range from $10-$18 USD each. We paid the entrance fee, had 1 drink each and ordered bruschetta and spent $60 USD total. Well worth it in my opinion! Especially if it's a clear day.... you can see for miles!
I went on a Saturday afternoon, around 2pm. I think this was the perfect time to come as the bar/lounge at the top of the tower was practically empty. It started getting more crowded around 4pm.
The top of the tower offers 360 degree views of this fantastic city! Pictures don't do it justice. The building itself appears to be quite old from outside but has some great architecture on the inside. The bar at the top has ambiance that reminds me of a cigar lounge, retro Italian style. The seating is very comfortable and the drinks are fabulous.
It takes 2 elevators to reach the top floor. When you reach the 41st floor, there's a restaurant directly as you exit the elevator doors. If you want to see the best views (360 degrees), walk up the steps to the left of the elevators, which will take you to the piano bar. There's a 30BRL / $13USD per person to enter the bar and drinks range from $10-$18 USD each. We paid the entrance fee, had 1 drink each and ordered bruschetta and spent $60 USD total. Well worth it in my opinion! Especially if it's a clear day.... you can see for miles!
Written 8 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marine A
Sao Paulo, SP
O Terraço Itália ainda cobra 35,00 reais para dar acesso ao bar, sem precisar de reserva?
Written 10 January 2023
O ingresso para entrada é feito por reserva ou pode ser comprado direto no dia da visitação? E gostaria também de saber se há algum limite de tempo de permanência por pessoa para visitação!
Written 2 November 2019
Na visita você paga 35,00. Se for vir no bar os preços são salgados, mas vale a pena ver o por do sol aqui.
Written 21 November 2019
Por pessoa, exceto menor de idade.neste caso, suco, água ou refrigerante.
Written 6 July 2019
É possível visitar o Edifício (o mirante, o terraço, ter a vista panorâmica), sem jantar no restaurante ou sem consumir no bar?
Quanto custa? Como funciona? Quais dias e os horários? Falo direto na portaria do edifício?
Written 18 February 2019
Olá jeniferricken.
Atualmente, você tem que consumir ou pagar entrada para ter acesso ao mirante que custa no mínimo R$ 30,00.
Mas vale a pena, a vista é linda e rende boas selfies e fotos.
Written 19 February 2019
para curtir com tranquilidade, eu iria de Uber pois os estacionamentos são caros e dirigindo não se pode desfrutar dos drinkes e da carta de vinhos
Written 12 November 2018
O restaurante funciona aos domingos, ainda continua esse valor para visitação?
Written 23 October 2018
Boa tarde, qual o nome do Restaurante do Edifício??? É necessário reserva??? Obrigado
Written 21 October 2018
O restaurante se chama Terraço Itália. Ele tem dois salões, o do andar de baixo é o restaurante convencional e o do andar superior, tem um salão todo envidraçado com uma excelente vista de São Paulo. Geralmente não necessita de reservas, mas dependendo da quantidade de pessoas é bom se informar sobre a necessidade e se há algum requisito dependendo do dia da semana.
Written 23 October 2018
Gostaria de saber se há um horário específico e se cobram alguma taxa para visitar o edifício e ter acesso a vista. Obrigada.
Written 14 October 2018
De segunda a sábado é das 9a.m. as 7p.m. e aos domingos das 9a.m. as 5p.m.
Valor de acesso é R$ 30 e tem direito a uma taça de espumante, em taça de plástico para beber durante a visitação.
Written 14 October 2018
Quanto custa para visitar o terraço?
Written 6 October 2018
No edifício Itália são 30,00 Por pessoa com direito à uma taça de espumante ou um suco de abacaxi, no Terraço Santander 18,00 por pessoa.
Written 9 October 2018
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