Everything you need for MotoGP at Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna, 20–22 March 2026
“São Paulo is South America's largest city and a natural fit for MotoGP's return to Brazil. The Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna sits within easy reach of the city's extensive Metrô and CPTM rail network, meaning fans staying in central neighbourhoods like Vila Madalena, Jardins, or Pinheiros can reach the circuit without renting a car. Between sessions, São Paulo delivers like few other host cities: the Mercado Municipal de São Paulo (founded 1933) is a 10-minute taxi ride for its legendary mortadella sandwiches, while Avenida Paulista — the cultural spine of the city — hosts the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP) and Itaú Cultural, both free on certain days. For race-night celebrations, the bars of Vila Madalena and the rooftop venues in Jardins keep the energy going well past midnight. March falls in São Paulo's late summer, with average highs of 28°C and afternoon thunderstorms that can shake up a MotoGP grid — pack a lightweight rain poncho alongside your sunscreen.”
São Paulo is South America's largest metropolis — a 22-million-strong sprawl of concrete, culture, and nonstop energy. For MotoGP fans arriving for the Brazil Grand Prix 2026 at Autódromo de Interlagos, this city delivers far more than just racing. Interlagos sits in the southern district of the city, roughly 30 km from the centre, but São Paulo's metro and ride-hailing network (99 and Uber both operate here) make getting around straightforward. The city runs on late hours: dinner at 9pm is early, clubs open after midnight, and Sunday brunch culture is sacred.
Vila Madalena is São Paulo's creative heartbeat — narrow streets covered in murals, vinyl record shops, and craft beer bars. Walk Beco do Batman (Batman Alley) for some of the best street art in Latin America, then settle into a boteco for a cold chopp. It's 14 km north of Interlagos, about 35 minutes by car.
Jardins (Jardim Paulista, Jardim América, Jardim Europa) is the upscale corridor along Rua Oscar Freire. Designer boutiques, high-end Japanese restaurants, and sidewalk cafés line every block. Avenida Paulista, the city's iconic avenue, borders Jardins to the north — walk it on a Sunday when it closes to traffic.
Liberdade is the largest Japanese community outside Japan. The red torii gates on Rua Galvão Bueno mark the entrance. Come for the weekend street fair selling takoyaki, mochi, and tempura. The Liberdade metro station drops you right in.
Pinheiros neighbours Vila Madalena and hosts the Mercado Municipal de Pinheiros — a smaller, less tourist-packed alternative to the famous Mercadão downtown. Great for açaí bowls, fresh pastel de feira, and Brazilian coffee.
You cannot leave São Paulo without eating a mortadella sandwich at Mercadão (Mercado Municipal de São Paulo) on Rua da Cantareira. The sandwiches at Bar do Mané and Hocca Bar are stacked 10 cm high with Bologna-style mortadella for around R$45.
For feijoada — Brazil's national black bean and pork stew — hit Bolinha in Jardins on a Saturday (traditional feijoada day). A full spread with farofa, rice, orange slices, and collard greens runs about R$120 per person.
São Paulo is also the craft beer capital of Brazil. Tap rooms like Trilha Cervejaria in Pinheiros and O Tanque in Vila Madalena pour fresh IPAs and sour ales from R$18 a pint.
For late-night espeto (Brazilian street skewers), head to any corner bar in Vila Madalena after 10pm. Beef heart, chicken hearts, and picanha skewers cost R$8–15 each and pair perfectly with an ice-cold Brahma.
Interlagos has hosted motorsport since 1940, and paulistanos treat race weekends like a citywide festival. Expect fan zones along Avenida Interlagos on Friday and Saturday, with live music stages, sponsor activations, and food trucks serving coxinha and pastel by the thousands. The bars around Largo da Batata in Pinheiros fill up with international fans after qualifying — it becomes an unofficial paddock party. On race day Sunday, grab a metro to Autódromo station (Line 9-Emerald) and follow the crowd. After the chequered flag, the celebration migrates north to Vila Madalena and Rua Augusta, where bars stay open until the last fan leaves. São Paulo does not do quiet weekends — and a MotoGP race only turns the volume up.