1. Rio de Janeiro

We probably don't need to introduce you to Brazil's most famous city, Rio de Janeiro, which is also the second largest city in the country after Sao Paulo. It's best known for its February Carnival. Equally famous are the South American beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. Also famous is the huge statue of Christ the Saviour, which stands on the Corcovado mountain and overlooks the whole city. A view of the city can be enjoyed from the top of the hill traditionally known as the Sugar Loaf. Rio de Janeiro has its own metro, which is worth the longer distances and is fully air-conditioned.

2. Brasília

The capital of Brazil, Brasília, is sure to leave an impression, both positively and negatively. This depends on how you feel about modern and innovative architecture. In fact, the city was only artificially built in the 1950s, so it lacks any kind of historical centre, but all the buildings are fully modern. Brasília lies quite far inland and is the country's fourth largest city. Brasília also has an airport and, of course, a metro. It has also been artificially connected to major cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. A very interesting religious building is the Cathedral of the Epiphany, which resembles a vertebrate skeleton.

3. Manaus

A truly special city, and one that you will definitely want to visit, is Manaus, the capital of the state of Amamazonas. It is located in the middle of the Amazon rainforest and basically the only possible ways to get there are by air or by boat on the Rio Negro. The city takes its name from the Mánao Indian tribe. Excursions into the rainforest are of course possible and widely undertaken by tourists. And although it seems impossible, right in the middle of town you will find the magnificent Teatro Amazonas opera house, which was built during the rubber rush of the late 19th century.

4. Salvador

Salvador is the third largest city in Brazil and is located on a peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and All Saints Bay. A port can be found here and the city itself is a centre of commerce. However, as it is a historic city dating back to the 16th century, there are many monuments and buildings in Renaissance and Baroque styles. This is just one of the reasons why the city centre with its churches has been declared a conservation area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5. Belo Horizonte

Minas Gerais is a whole state, of which there are 26 in Brazil. The capital is called Belo Horizonte. The state and its towns are known for the number of immigrants, but there are also quite well-preserved houses from the colonial period, so much so that sometimes this state is said to be an entire open-air museum of the colonial era. In addition, the name itself points to the fact that there are deposits of rare minerals here.