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Best art destinations in South America

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Buenos Aires
Where Tango and Culture Thrive
8.1
Mild weather in spring and autumn suits walking between galleries, murals and bookshops. Palermo and San Telmo have street art, studios and weekend art markets. The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes has works by Goya, Rodin and Argentine painters. El Ateneo Grand Splendid is a bookshop in a former theatre.
Highlights:
  • 🎭 Tour the grand Teatro Colón and admire its opulence
  • 🎨 Stroll through colorful Caminito Street in La Boca
  • 💃 Watch a passionate tango performance in San Telmo
Rio de Janeiro
The heartbeat of Brazil's coast
8.1
Brazil's capital until 1960, this city has large museums and a street art scene. The Museu de Arte do Rio and the Museum of Modern Art are near the waterfront. The Selarón Steps, a stairway covered in colourful tiles, link Lapa and Santa Teresa. Boulevard Olímpico has a huge mural by Eduardo Kobra.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on the iconic sands of Copacabana Beach
  • ✝️ Stand before Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain
  • 🚠 Take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain for breathtaking views
São Paulo
A vibrant mix of culture and cuisine
8.0
Avenida Paulista is closed to cars on Sundays, when people stroll and visit museums. MASP, a museum raised on tall concrete beams, shows European and Brazilian art. Vila Madalena has street art and the Beco do Batman alley. The Bienal de São Paulo, a large art exhibition, is held every two years.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Admire street art at colorful Beco do Batman
  • 🌳 Relax in vast green Ibirapuera Park with museums
  • 🚶‍♀️ Walk vibrant Paulista Avenue, heart of São Paulo
Lima
Historic Charm Meets Coastal Vibes
7.3
On the Pacific coast of Peru, this city has museums of ancient and modern art. MALI, the Museum of Art of Lima, holds works from more than 3,000 years of history. Barranco is a seaside district with galleries and murals. The Larco Museum displays pre Columbian gold and ceramics in an 18th century mansion.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Stroll the scenic Malecón along the Pacific coast
  • 🎨 Visit the Museo Larco for ancient Peruvian art
  • 🏛️ Explore the historic Plaza de Armas and Cathedral
Brasilia
Futuristic Capital of Modernist Marvels
6.7
Designed by Lúcio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer in the 1950s, this planned capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The curved Cathedral and the Congress towers are famous modern landmarks. Sculptures and murals by artists such as Athos Bulcão decorate public buildings. The Palácio do Itamaraty has a large art collection and a spiral staircase.
Highlights:
  • 🌉 Walk the JK Bridge for stunning views over Lake Paranoá
  • 🏛️ Explore the Praça dos Três Poderes, Brazil's political heart
  • ⛪ Visit the iconic Metropolitan Cathedral designed by Niemeyer
Valparaíso
Colorful Hills, Art and Ocean Views
7.4
Compared with Santiago, this hillside port is more bohemian and full of murals. About 40 hills are crowded with colourful houses above the bay. The open air museum on Cerro Bellavista has dozens of murals painted since the 1990s. La Sebastiana, Pablo Neruda's house, has sea views and eclectic art.
Highlights:
  • 🚠 Ride the historic Ascensor Reina Victoria funicular
  • 🏠 Visit La Sebastiana, Pablo Neruda’s colorful house museum
  • 🎨 Explore vibrant street art in Cerro Alegre and Concepción
Medellín
The City of Eternal Spring
7.4
Fernando Botero, a native of this city, donated 23 large bronze sculptures to Plaza Botero in the early 2000s. The nearby Museum of Antioquia holds many of his paintings. Comuna 13 is a hillside neighbourhood known for colourful murals and graffiti tours. A cable car and outdoor escalators help visitors reach the murals.
Highlights:
  • 🌺 Stroll through the Botanical Garden and its orchid collection
  • 🎨 Explore Comuna 13’s colorful murals and vibrant street art
  • 🚡 Ride the Metrocable to Parque Arví for panoramic views
Cusco
Gateway to the Incan Empire's Heart
8.4
Compared with other Andean cities, this former Inca capital has its own colonial painting style called the Cusco School. Indigenous and mestizo painters used gold leaf and bright colours for religious scenes. Many examples hang in the Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus. San Blas has small craft workshops.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Stroll through Plaza de Armas and admire colonial architecture
  • 🏔️ Take the train or trek to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu
  • 🧱 Visit the ancient Inca site of Sacsayhuamán overlooking the city
Montevideo
Chill vibes on the Río de la Plata
7.2
Relaxed and creative, this seaside capital has a long tradition of painting and murals. The Torres García Museum shows work by Joaquín Torres García, a leading figure of Latin American modern art. The Ciudad Vieja has street art and small galleries. Carnival here is known for candombe drumming and costumed parades.
Highlights:
  • 🏙️ Visit the iconic Palacio Salvo and nearby plazas
  • 🍽️ Taste local flavors at Mercado del Puerto market
  • 🌅 Stroll along the scenic Rambla by the waterfront
Santiago
A vibrant city between mountains
7.4
Dry weather from October to April suits walking between galleries and outdoor murals. Bellavista has colourful murals and La Chascona, the house of poet Pablo Neruda. The Museum of Fine Arts and the Contemporary Art Museum are near Lastarria. The Museum of Memory and Human Rights tells recent history through art and documents.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Stroll through the colorful alleys of Barrio Bellavista and enjoy local art
  • ⛪ Explore the historic Plaza de Armas and its stunning cathedral
  • 🚠 Ride the cable car up Cerro San Cristóbal for sweeping city views
Bogotá
Vibrant Culture in the Andean Highlands
7.1
Creative and edgy, this high Andean capital has street art, museums and many small galleries. The Botero Museum shows works that Fernando Botero donated to the city. The Gold Museum holds more than 30,000 pieces of pre Hispanic gold. Graffiti tours in La Candelaria show colourful murals by local and international artists.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Stroll through historic La Candelaria neighborhood
  • 🏛️ Explore the Museo del Oro with pre-Hispanic gold
  • ⛰️ Take in panoramic city views from Mount Monserrate
Cartagena
Walled city of Caribbean color
7.2
Murals and street art are part of everyday life in the Getsemaní neighbourhood of this Caribbean city. A reclining bronze woman by Fernando Botero sits in Plaza Santo Domingo. The Hay Festival of books and arts is held each January. Galleries and craft shops in the walled old town sell paintings and jewellery.
Highlights:
  • 🍉 Photograph the vibrant Palenqueras fruit vendors
  • 🛡️ Explore Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas fortress
  • 🏰 Walk the historic Walled City and soak in colors
Museum of Precolombian Art
Ancient Americas' Artistic Treasures
Housed in the old Royal Customs House near the Plaza de Armas, this museum shows ancient American art. Its collection covers Mesoamerica, the Andes and Amazonia with ceramics, textiles and gold. Andean textiles and Maya ceramics are among the highlights. Visitors can follow the history of the Americas before Columbus in clear, well lit rooms.
Highlights:
  • 🧭 Learn about Andean cultures through detailed exhibitions
  • 🥇 Explore the museum’s exquisite gold and silver collection
  • 🏺 Admire ancient artifacts from pre-Columbian civilizations
Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires
Dynamic showcase of Latin art
Founded in 2001 by the collector Eduardo Costantini, this museum shows Latin American art from the 20th century. Its collection includes Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Xul Solar and Antonio Berni. The glass and stone building is in the Palermo district. The museum also has a cinema and a shop with art books.
Highlights:
  • 🎥 Attend film screenings and cultural events regularly
  • 🖼️ Explore modern and contemporary Latin American art
  • 🎨 Admire iconic Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera artworks
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