Santa Cruz do Sul is a city in central Rio Grande do Sul. The city sits about 150 km from the capital, Porto Alegre.

Understand

The city of Santa Cruz do Sul was founded in 1844 and is famous in the region for its annual events, including Rio Grande do Sul's Oktoberfest, a German culture festival, and ENART, a festival celebrating the gaúcho culture of the state. Both events attract masses of visitors to the city and mobilize the entire economy of the region.

Even outside these events, Santa Cruz do Sul is itself a charming city with a fantastic cathedral and a lovely main shopping street. Together with the neighboring, heritage-rich towns of Sinimbu and Rio Pardo, as well as the surrounding German-colonised rural area, the region is a worthy side-trip from Porto Alegre or the Serras Gaúchas region.

See

• 1 St. John the Baptist Cathedral (Catedral de São João Batista), Getúlio Vargas Square, ☏ +55 51 3711-3622. One of the largest cathedrals in all of Brazil. The main edifice was built between 1928 and 1932, and the two 82-meter (269 ft) tall towers were added much later; it was finished in 1977. 
• 2 Racing Circuit (Autódromo Internacional de Santa Cruz do Sul). The Autódromo Internacional de Santa Cruz do Sul is the newest circuit in use in Brazil. The track has a total length of 3530.7 meters, with 14 curves (seven right and seven left) of high, medium and low speeds. Considered by the pilots one of the most challenging and enjoyable circuits of Brazil. Inaugurated on June 12, 2005, the track receives races of the main automobile categories - Stock car, Clio Cup, Formula 3, as well as the Brazilian Speed​​ Motorcycling Championship. 
• 3 Schoenstatt Sanctuary, BR 471 km 53. Belonging to the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary Secular Institute, the Shrine of the Thrice Admirable Mother of Schoenstatt was inaugurated on 11 December 1977, being a faithful copy of the original one founded in Germany in 1914 by Father Joseph Kentnich. 

Do

Cathedral of Santa Cruz do Sul

• Oktoberfest, R. Galvão Costa 755, ☏ +55 51 3713-1288. Its venue is the locally famous Oktoberfest Park, with 14 hectares, featuring sports, leisure and tourism infrastructure, a gymnasium with capacity for 8,000 people, soccer practice pitches (eleven or seven players), basketball, tennis, futsal and bocha courts, BMX track, sports and exhibitions pavilions. 
• 1 Rota Germânica do Rio Pardinho (Rod. 471 between Santa Cruz do Sul and Sinimbu). The 471 road between Santa Cruz do Sul and Sinimbu passes through the Rio Pardinho district, an authentic German-settled farming community. It is worth exploring by car for its pretty churches, speciality shops and excellent German restaurants. (updated May 2021)

Buy

• 1 Rua Marechal Floriano, Rua Marechal Floriano, Santa Cruz do Sul. The city's main shopping drag is this street, in the 6 blocks between R. Cap. Fernando Tatsch and R. Sete de Setembro, as well as the surrounding streets. It's a beautiful street lined up with trees and benches, and containing some of the city's main sights including the cathedral, the city hall, and Praça Getúlio Vargas. (updated May 2021)

Eat

• Pizzaria Mammamia, Rua Tenente Coronel Brito, 909, ☏ +55 51 3711-03442. 18h - midnight. 
• Brolese Solo Pizzaria, Av. Sen. Pasqualini, 334, ☏ +55 51 3717-1366. 19h - midnight. Classy pizzeria. 
• Churrascaria Centenário, Rua Tenente-Coronel Brito, 405, ☏ +55 51 3713-1495. Meat lovers are sure to love it, watching your meal cut right off the spit. 

Drink

• Heilige Brew Pub, Rua Borges de Medeiros, 414, ☏ +55 51 3717-2008, contato@heilige.com.br. 18:00-02:00 (closed Sundays and Mondays). 

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Antônio's, Rua Senador Pinheiro Machado, 998, ☏ +55 51 3713-1909, fax: +55 51 3713-1140, hotelantonios@hotelantonios.com.br. 
• 2 Soder Hotel, R. Mal. Floriano, 1021, ☏ +55 51 2107-1862. Boutique-type hotel with outdoor pool, wifi, a/c, and big breakfast. R$237. (updated Dec 2020)
• 3 Charrua Hotel, R. Mal. Floriano, 230, ☏ +55 51 3715-6533. Multi-story hotel with balconies and rooftop pool, gym, hot tub, breakfast, wifi, a/c, and even free bicycle rentals. from R$179. (updated Dec 2020)
• 4 Aquarius Hotel Flat Residence, Av. João Pessoa, 144, ☏ +55 51 2106-9933. This hotel tower has an enclosed rooftop pool with a sun roof along with a gym and breakfast and other types of things you'd find at a higher end hotel. R$273. (updated Dec 2020)
• 5 Apartamento Top, R. Pres. Epitácio Pessoa, 271 - apto 101, ☏ +55 51 99943 8854. Apartment type stay where accommodation has kitchen, balcony, lots of privacy. LGBTQ friendly. R$227. (updated Dec 2020)