Home › Journeys › Minas Gerais: the Gold Towns › 5 days

Minas Gerais: the Gold Towns: 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

Last updated:

The 5-day version for July: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 4-day plan · 5-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go.

Use this plan → Customize this plan →

5
days
200 km
distance
9.0 h
driving
25
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Belo Horizonte → Ouro Preto

4 curated stops
Transit
3h38
Finish
~17:50
Temperature
10.3°C–23.9°C
Rainy days
~1
Daylight
10.9h
09:00
Praça da Liberdade read more map ↗
Relax under palm trees beside historic and modern buildings.
50 min · Belo Horizonte
10:15
Alta Vila Tower search map ↗
Enjoy panoramic city and mountain views from this tall tower.
50 min · Belo Horizonte
12:00
Pampulha search map ↗
Admire Oscar Niemeyer's modern designs against lush greenery.
50 min · Belo Horizonte
12:50
Porcão search map ↗
Feast on renowned steakhouse meats, sometimes with live music.
60 min · Belo Horizonte
17:00
Praça Tiradentes read more map ↗
Gather in the town's heart between museums and historic buildings.
50 min · Ouro Preto
Overnight: Ouro Preto
e.g. Buena Vista Hostel · Brumas Hostel (Youth Hostel)
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 2 Around Ouro Preto

6 curated stops
Transit
0h30
Finish
~15:50
Temperature
10.3°C–23.9°C
Rainy days
~1
Daylight
10.9h
09:00
Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição paroquiaconceicaoop.com.br map ↗
Admire 8 lavishly decorated altars and visit Aleijadinho's grave.
50 min · Ouro Preto
open: Tu-Su 09:00-10:45 and 12:00-16:45
10:00
Mina Chico Rei search map ↗
Tour one of the largest gold mines, named for legendary Chico Rei.
50 min · Ouro Preto · R$10
open: Daily 08:00-16:00
11:00
Mina Fonte Meu Bem Querer search map ↗
Spot petrified trees in the tunnel walls of this fascinating mine.
50 min · Ouro Preto
open: Daily 08:00-18:00
12:00
Teatro Municipal search map ↗
Listen to occasional concerts in South America's oldest theater.
50 min · Ouro Preto
open: Daily 12:00-17:30
13:00
Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Pilar pilarouropreto.com.br map ↗
Marvel at golden and silver interiors glistening inside the oldest church.
50 min · Ouro Preto · R$4
open: Tu-Su 09:00-11:00 and 12:00-17:00
14:00
Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário search map ↗
Appreciate unique shape formed by three convergent ovals of this church.
50 min · Ouro Preto · Free
open: Tu-Su 12:00-17:00
14:50
Restaurante do Nazareno search map ↗
Savor delicious homemade food in a simple, cozy atmosphere.
60 min · Ouro Preto
Overnight here
e.g. Buena Vista Hostel · Brumas Hostel (Youth Hostel)
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 3 Mariana

6 curated stops
Transit
0h50
Finish
~16:50
Temperature
11.9°C–25.5°C
Rainy days
~1
Daylight
10.9h
09:20
Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Assunção read more map ↗
Admire a grand church built by famous artists like Aleijadinho.
50 min · Mariana · R$2; R$7 for concert times
open: Tu-Su 08:00-17:00
10:20
Igreja São Francisco de Assis read more map ↗
Behold intricate decorations and a medallion by Aleijadinho.
50 min · Mariana · R$2
open: Daily 08:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00
11:20
Igreja de São Pedro dos Clérigos read more map ↗
See an attractive, unfinished church designed by Antônio Ferreira Calheiros.
50 min · Mariana · R$1
13:00
Sanctuário Nossa Senhora do Carmo read more map ↗
Notice the unique cylindrical towers of this 1784 church.
50 min · Mariana · Donations accepted
open: Daily 08:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00
14:00
Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário read more map ↗
Admire elaborately-decorated altars and a well-preserved ceiling painting.
50 min · Mariana · R$1
open: M-F 10:00-17:00
15:00
Seminário Maior São José read more map ↗
Enjoy a neo-colonial building with a chapel of interesting mosaics.
50 min · Mariana
15:50
Portão da Praca search
Indulge in a delicious beirute, similar to a döner kebab.
60 min · Mariana · From R$8
open: 11:00-18:00
Overnight here
e.g. Hotel Central · Hotel Faísca
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 4 São João del Rei

1 curated stops
Transit
3h18
Finish
~14:50
Temperature
10.3°C–24.9°C
Rainy days
~2
Daylight
10.8h
12:20
São João del Rei search map ↗
You will see well-preserved colonial architecture and feel the rich history of a mining town.
90 min · São João del Rei
13:50
Cantina do Ítalo search
Enjoy authentic Italian dishes in a cozy atmosphere.
60 min · São João del Rei

Time to spare on this day

One stop and a free afternoon. We don't book activities, but these partners do.

Tours & day trips here →
Overnight here
e.g. Pousada Sinha Moça
Find a stay →

Day 5 Tiradentes

3 curated stops
Transit
0h43
Finish
~13:20
Temperature
10.3°C–24.9°C
Rainy days
~2
Daylight
10.8h
09:20
Church of Saint Anthony search
Marvel at the richest gold foil interior in any Brazilian church.
50 min · Tiradentes
10:25
São Francisco de Paula search
Take in the nicest views of Tiradentes from a hilltop.
50 min · Tiradentes
11:30
Chafariz search
Admire an elegant fountain dating back to the 1700s.
50 min · Tiradentes
12:20
Dona Xepa search
Dine in a central location with delicious meals.
60 min · Tiradentes

🚗 Rental cars for this trip →

🔍 Check before you book

Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

Use this plan → Change month, pace or interests →