Tour operator
SP Free Walking Tour
Tip-based walking tours of São Paulo's old downtown, Vila Madalena and Avenida Paulista, run in English and Portuguese by local guides several days a week.
Sampa Sky
A glass-floored observation experience on the 42nd floor of the Mirante do Vale building, 150 metres above the historic centre, with decks that slide out from the façade.
At a glance
- Type
- Glass observation deck experience
- Area
- Centro Histórico, São Paulo, Brazil
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Monday)
- Official site
- sampasky.com.br
Good to know
- Glass viewing decks
- Bar
- Café
- Souvenir shop
- School visits
Why we recommend it
Sampa Sky is an observation experience on the 42nd floor of the Edifício Mirante do Vale, 150 metres above downtown São Paulo. The building was the tallest in the city for almost half a century, and the attraction, opened in August 2021, makes the most of that height. It was created by two entrepreneurs, Alessandro Martinelli and Antônio Caldeira, who funded the project themselves, and the city government has described it as part of the renewal of the historic centre.
The highlight is the glass decks, known as gavetas, or drawers. Each is 2.5 metres long, with a floor made of several layers of thick glass, and the decks slide out from the building so that the historic façade is not altered. Standing on one gives the sensation of floating above the city. The original decks face the Vale do Anhangabaú and the Viaduto Santa Ifigênia, and Avenida Prestes Maia. The design took inspiration from the SkyDeck at Chicago's Willis Tower and other observation decks around the world. The attraction describes its glass lookout as covering 700 square metres and offering the best view of the city.
Beyond the decks there is a bar, a café, a souvenir shop and space for events and school visits. The operators have also run a social ticket that includes a donation of food for a local charity, a nice touch worth asking about when you book. In 2022 a cracked glass layer was found and replaced without anyone being hurt.
Sampa Sky opens Tuesday to Friday from 11:00 to 18:30, on Saturdays and holidays from 9:00 to 19:00 and on Sundays from 9:00 to 17:00. Tickets are sold online through Ticketmaster, and booking ahead is sensible at weekends. Choose a clear day for the best visibility and allow about an hour.
The experience suits families, couples and anyone who enjoys heights, though it is not for those who dislike standing on glass floors. Sampa Sky is in the historic centre on Praça Pedro Lessa, so it pairs well with the Farol Santander's observation deck, the Mosteiro de São Bento and the Mercado Municipal for a full day of views and history.
Sampa Sky FAQs
Where is Sampa Sky?
On the 42nd floor of the Mirante do Vale building at Praça Pedro Lessa 110 in the historic centre.
How high is it?
About 150 metres above the ground.
What are the glass decks?
Glass-floored viewing decks, each 2.5 metres long, that slide out from the building's façade.
When is Sampa Sky open?
Tuesday to Friday 11:00 to 18:30, Saturdays and holidays 9:00 to 19:00 and Sundays 9:00 to 17:00.
How do I buy tickets?
Online through Ticketmaster, linked from the Sampa Sky website.
When did it open?
In August 2021.
Is there food and drink?
Yes. There is a bar and a café, plus a souvenir shop.
What is nearby?
The Farol Santander, the Mosteiro de São Bento and the Mercado Municipal are all in the historic centre.