Last updated on December 20, 2023.

Ouro Preto, just a few hours from Belo Horizonte, is one of the most amazing places I’ve visited in Brazil. It’s a colonial town with a gorgeous setting that was made very wealthy by the gold rush. Several colorful colonial buildings and stunning churches line the steep streets of this hilly UNESCO World Heritage town.

Ouro Preto, Brazil
Ouro Preto

 

Getting There

My friend Mike and I arrived by bus from Belo Horizonte’s bus terminal. The bus made a couple stops along the way until we finally arrived at Ouro Preto. From the bus station, it was just a short walk to the colonial town.

Ouro Preto, Brazil
Ouro Preto
Ouro Preto, Brazil
Colorful buildings

 

Wandering Around

The best thing to do in Ouro Preto is to get lost in the steep, winding streets. You will discover all kinds of restaurants, bars, shops, boutique hotels, and more. The scenery is out of this world!

Ouro Preto, Brazil
A steep street in town

 

Casa dos Contos

The town is not short on historical sites, either. Casa dos Contos, located in the lower part of town, was the former gold exchange and prison. It’s now a free museum and worth a look.

Casa dos Contos in Ouro Preto, Brazil
Casa dos Contos
Casa dos Contos in Ouro Preto, Brazil
Casa dos Contos
Casa dos Contos in Ouro Preto, Brazil
Courtyard in the Casa dos Contos
Casa dos Contos in Ouro Preto, Brazil
Casa dos Contos

The museum features currency and artifacts from slavery. There are a few pieces of furniture from the period of the building’s use. It also has great views from the balcony.

Casa dos Contos in Ouro Preto, Brazil
Casa dos Contos
The view from Casa dos Contos in Ouro Preto, Brazil
The view from Casa dos Contos

 

Tiradentes Square

Tiradentes Square (Praça Tiradentes) is a square that sits at the top of a hill and features a statue of Tiradentes. With his group, the Inconfidentes, he led a rebellion against the Portuguese and was executed.

Praça Tiradentes in Ouro Preto, Brazil
Tiradentes Square

At one end of the square is the Inconfidence Museum (Museu da Inconfidência), dedicated to the Inconfidentes. The magnificent building that houses the museum was once the town hall and later a prison.

Museu da Inconfidência in Ouro Preto, Brazil
Inconfidence Museum

 

Stay Longer!

Although we only did Ouro Preto on a short day trip, it warrants an overnight stay to fully explore the streets, admire the churches, and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.

Ouro Preto, Brazil
Ouro Preto
Ouro Preto, Brazil
A street through town

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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