Quick to-do list in Brasilia

These are a few places to experience some great views and photo opportunities or activities to do to view Brasilia from a different perspective.

TV Tower or Digital TV Tower. See Brasília's downtown from all sides. If you do Digital TV Tower, get there shortly before the sunrise to watch one of the most stunning spetacles of nature in your life ever.

TV Digital Tower. Photo: Bento Viana

One major museum. Okay, we don't have any world famous museum, but I suggest the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, a cultural center where you can attend different art exhibitions, plays, the movies, or simply enjoy the local library, cafè and the huuuuge garden - with a view to the JK Bridge. Don't forget to check the Pay-As-You-Wish Days and times at the museum (it's usually closed on Tuesdays). 

One of the galleries at CCBB in Brasília. Photo: Unknown.

Walking across the Calçadão da Asa Norte. Not a big deal, but it's well worth a walk across this small-distance pier early in the evening. Sit down and watch the lake. Seriously.

Calçadão da Asa Norte. Photo: Rodolfo Rufino

Eating! Eat at any of the hundreds of great mid-range restaurants in the city, and have at least one blow-out top-notch dinner (e.g. at the restaurant Mangai, in Lago Sul).

Lounge of Mangai. Photo: Unknown.

Dom Bosco Sanctuary. Worth a visit at any time of the day or night, although daylight accentuates the stained glass' effect.

Dom Bosco Sanctuary. Photo: Unknown

Metropolitan Cathedral. One of Oscar Niemeyer's Most Beautiful Buildings. Forget what you've seen in the pictures so far. See it with your own eyes.

At least one "smaller" museum. Explore small private contemporary galleries e.g. Espaço Cena, Elefante Centro Cultural, 5 Norte, Objeto Encontrado, Espaço Piloto. The Museu Vivo Da Memória Candanga is an interesting introduction to the life of early immigrants who helped to build the capital.

Shopping. TV Tower's fair for craft artwork, Feira do Guará for food and clothes or Feira dos Importados for tech stuff imported mostly from China :-p. 

Main bus station. Brasília's very central point. Go at rush-hour and people watch. Look into the northwestern end of the Monumental Axis. Take extra caution with your belongings.

Happy Hour in 408 Norte. Also known as "Quadra do Por do Sol", the 408 Norte is one of the superblocks in Brasília. It has a lot of bars (and dives) already jumping at 5pm for all tastes (hipsters, reggae, live music etc.). Find a seat, order a bier and enjoy.

People watching in one of the smaller parks. Parque Olhos d'Água, in Asa Norte, Parque dos Jequitibás, in Sobradinho (25km from downtown) or Parque Ecológico Dom Bosco, in Lago Sul.

Parque Ecológico Dom Bosco. Photo: Unknown.

Visit another borough. See Taguatinga, Sobradinho ou Guará and get a taste of different way of life from the Pilot Plan. 

Do sport. Usually, there are free yoga classes somewhere around the town - check it out on the internet or ask a colleague about. You'll probably spot random groups of old locals doing tai chi chuan outdoors ealy in the morning, as well as people of all ages cycling, skating or running in Eixão, the city's main avenue, which is closed from 7 am to 6 pm on Sundays. The Paranoá's lake has been used for swimming, rowing, canoe, sailing and SUP.

Yoga in Esplanada. Photo: Lucas Conceição.

Take in some music. There are concerts in Brasília on a very regular basis: rock, jazz, classical, rap, indie, samba, chorinho, you-name-it. Many of them are free of charge and take place at public open areas. Keep up with the local cultural program or pay attention to what events your colleagues are attending to on Facebook.

Go dance. Be prepared to stay up late, because the discos usually don't open before 11.30 pm (or aren't full enough for having a good time). In case you like street dance, don't miss the Jam no Museu, taking place on every second Sunday of the month.

Take in a tour. It's a good way to see Brasília for first timers but not the traditional way. See the city by bike while learning about the local street art, architecture's hidden spots etc. or simply experience the city from a local's point of view. You may also wanna afford a photo ballooning trip or a sunset sail. Please visit http://www.experimentebrasilia.com.br/ to learn more.

Visit Chapada dos Veadeiros. Plan a visit to breathtaking waterfalls and cerrado's ("tropical savanna) wildlife nearby Brasília, e.g. in the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, listed as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO for being one of the world's oldest and most diverse tropical ecosystems.

Santa Barbara Waterfall in Chapada dos Veadeiros. Photo: Marcio Cabral.

Adapted from this list.