Farol Santander
Farol Santander
4.5
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
São Paulo's very own Empire State Building — the Edifício Altino Arantes, also known by the name of its previous owner, Banespa — opened in 1947 as a symbol of the fast-growing city's economic might. The striking views from the observation deck, accessed from the 33rd floor of the 161-meter-tall building, never fail to impress visitors. Views, while free, are daytime only; the building is only open during normal business hours.
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
- São Bento • 2 min walk
- Sé • 6 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.
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4.5
1,930 reviews
Excellent
987
Very good
673
Average
177
Poor
49
Terrible
45
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Paul Legate
United Kingdom21,891 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
Farol Santander is one of the major landmarks of São Paulo and was constructed between 1939 and 1947. It is an iconic Art Deco skyscraper and has been previously known as Altino Arantes building and Banespa Tower. It was designed by Plínio Botelho do Amaral who was inspired by the Empire State Building in New York. Not long after its completion it was named the world's largest structure of reinforced concrete. It is certainly a sight to behold and one of the most notable of the many skyscrapers that dominate the skyline of São Paulo.
Written 2 March 2023
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.
NelsonM970
Natal, RN800 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
Santander Lighthouse, worth seeing. First, for the unusual view of the city of São Paulo... from above, from very high! The building, headquarters of the former State Bank, Banespa, now Banco Santander, is truly impressive, not so much because of its height, there are many others around the city that are much taller, but because of its grandeur and architectural beauty. The view of it, from below or from above, is truly surprising. Farol Santander honors the grandeur of the city of São Paulo. Everything was well thought out, planned. There are permanent and traveling exhibitions, there is the architecture of the building itself. The beautiful view of the entire Av. São João also draws attention, as the front of the building is directly in front of it. As for the "contents" of the Lighthouse, and already talking about some of its activities, we start with the ground floor hall, where everything begins and where there is a cafe and the "city store". There are exhibitions in the galleries of the 19th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd. and 24th. floors. There is a skate park on the 21st, the viewpoint and another cafe on the 26th. and a São Paulo bar on 28th. floor and, finally, gastronomic workshops in the kitchen of the Accademia Gastronomica on the 31st. On the way down, there is the memory space in the 5th, 4th, 3rd. and 2nd. floors with the history of the building, the people and the city of São Paulo itself. If you want to end your visit and relax a little, there is also the Safe Bar, in the basement of the building, inside the large safe that the bank had. In other words, the entire visit will surprise you, even if the ticket is not cheap, but it is worth it. I recommend.
Written 24 November 2023
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.
Dani G
Penapolis, SP79 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
It is my second visit to the Farol Santander, I am from the interior and every time I am in SP there is a different exhibition to visit. Building is very beautiful and well kept with coffee option. I recommend visiting the floors and finish the tour at the mirante with an amazing view of SP.
Automatically translated
Written 10 October 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.
Fernando R
2 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
The experience is very varied: there are interactive exhibitions, technological facilities and spaces dedicated to the history of the building and the city. The environment is organized, and the thematic floors are well signalled, which greatly facilitates the walk. For those who like to explore a bit more of the history of São Paulo, there is also a space dedicated to the history of Banco Santander and the construction of the building.
Overall, the Farol Santander is a complete tour: it offers culture, art and a spectacular view of São Paulo. It is worth a visit, especially if you want to see a different side of the city centre!
Overall, the Farol Santander is a complete tour: it offers culture, art and a spectacular view of São Paulo. It is worth a visit, especially if you want to see a different side of the city centre!
Automatically translated
Written 27 October 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.
Dfabiano
Brazil4,991 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
It operates in the old headquarters of Banespa, and as always, piracy from the 90s took over history and charges a very expensive entrance fee. Based on the number of visits it has had, at least today, and because it is a multinational bank, it should charge less than 35 reais . However, the exhibition is small, but good.
Written 16 September 2023
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.
Ariane F
Petropolis, RJ37 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
the view must be really cool. We bought tickets in advance but the rain decided to arrive before the scheduled time and we only saw rain. In any case, the staff were helpful and polite. The Santos Dumont exhibition is very interesting.
Written 17 October 2023
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.
Alessandra Martinello
Santo Andre, SP180 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
I've visited many important landmarks on my trips, but I should have known my own state. Pretty, be careful. Very affordable price, you visit all the exhibitions, bars and restaurants of the place with a single entry! I went around 5:00 and I was able to see the mirante day and night. I highly recommend the experience
Automatically translated
Written 10 November 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.
Rodrigo
Sao Paulo, SP2,997 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
It's not the first time we've been to Farol Santander.
This time it was because of the Santos Dumont exhibition.
We took advantage and visited other floors with other exhibitions and also the exhibition part about the history of BANESPA.
Everything fantastic!
We also had a coffee and, if we didn't have a reservation at another restaurant, we would go to Bar do Cofre, which is exceptional.
I highly recommend it!
This time it was because of the Santos Dumont exhibition.
We took advantage and visited other floors with other exhibitions and also the exhibition part about the history of BANESPA.
Everything fantastic!
We also had a coffee and, if we didn't have a reservation at another restaurant, we would go to Bar do Cofre, which is exceptional.
I highly recommend it!
Written 17 September 2023
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.
Luiz J
Rio de Janeiro, RJ633 contributions
July 2023 • Couples
The viewpoint is worth visiting, as there are many cultural activities associated with it. On our visit we had the opportunity to miss the Brennand museum thanks to the Frans Post exhibition. Beautiful!!! And Vik Muniz’s exhibition is beautiful too. It's for all ages and all tastes.
And the visit to the sumptuous building is already a reward.
And the visit to the sumptuous building is already a reward.
Written 3 August 2023
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.
GustPio
Sao Paulo, SP61 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
The view is not 360 degrees. There is no indication of the direction (North, South, East, West) or what is being seen, unlike what normally happens at viewpoints. The shows are reasonable. The floor where Banespa's board of directors was located is very beautiful.
Written 12 October 2023
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.
Por favor, meu filho é autista e desejo saber se pode entrar com cachorro de suporte emocional de porte pequeno.
Written 24 November 2024
Terraco_Italia
Sao Paulo, SP
Gostaria de saber se a visitação no edifício Altino Arantes está funcionando, se estiver, quais são os dias e horários????
Obrigado.
Written 22 October 2020
Flávia F
Sorocaba, SP
Queria vê o pôr do sol no Mirante, mas fico com receio para ir embora a noite, devido ser bem no centro. Alguém já ficou pra vê e pode me dizer como é a região depois de escurecer?
Written 8 May 2019
João Luiz
Sao Paulo, SP
O local a noite é tranquilo, existe muito.comercio aberto, fique antenado, mas não deixe de aproveitar.
Written 14 May 2019
891san
Sao Paulo, SP
O 9º andar será do Banco, clientes do Santander poderão ser atendidas.
Qual o nome dos engenheiros e arquiteta responsáveis pela reforma? Dizem que ficou maravilhosa.
Não acham que devem compartilhar e divulgar os nomes destas pessoas como agradecimento?
Written 30 April 2019
Rubensmidt
Belo Horizonte, MG
Sim; vc tem razão. Devemos buscar não só a transparência das informações como também elogiar as boas ações empreendidas.
Written 30 April 2019
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