Curitiba 3-Day Itinerary

A day-by-day plan for Curitiba: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.

Day 1

Arrive & Explore the Highlights

Morning
Setor Histórico & Rua XV de Novembro

Pedestrian street lined with 19th-century buildings, cobblestones and the iron-wrought Bondinho tram. Free walking and people-watching.

🕐 Public space, always open; shops 9am-7pm Mon-Sat

Free entry

💡 The tram still runs on weekends – free rides. Grab a pastel from a street stall; the ones near the cathedral are best.

Hotels near Setor Histórico & Rua XV de Novembro →
Afternoon
Museu de Arte Contemporânea do Paraná

Small but well-curated contemporary art museum showing local and national artists. Housed in a 1920s mansion.

🕐 Tue-Fri 10am-6pm; Sat-Sun 10am-4pm; closed Mon

Free entry

💡 Free every day – no trick. The upstairs gallery often has the best work. Takes 45 minutes max. Check Instagram for current exhibit.

Hotels near Museu de Arte Contemporânea do Paraná →
Evening
Where to eat

Restaurante Boa Mesa · ££

Restaurante Millons · ££

Day 2

Deeper Into Curitiba

Morning
Jardim Botânico de Curitiba

Formal French-style gardens with a striking glass greenhouse. The surrounding native forest trails and botanical museum are also free.

🕐 Daily 6am-7:30pm; greenhouse 8am-6pm

💡 Go early on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds that gather by mid-morning. The greenhouse closes for cleaning 12-2pm.

Midday
Parque Tanguá

Park built in a former quarry with dramatic cliffs, a lake, and a 65-metre tunnel carved through the rock. Two levels connected by walkways.

🕐 Daily 6am-8pm

💡 The tunnel is lit at sunset – aim to be there around 5:30pm. Bring water; the upper path has no shade.

Evening
Dining tonight

Restaurante Dom Camilo

Baba Salim

Day 3

Final Favourites & Departure

Morning
Oscar Niemeyer Museum

Sculptural modernist museum in a former palace. Wednesdays are free for all visitors. The building itself is the main draw.

💡 Wednesday entry is free all day – arrive before 10am to get a ticket without queuing. Skip the paid temporary exhibitions.

Final meal

Baroneza

Friends Gastroclub

Getting Around Curitiba

Linha Turismo (Tourist Bus) From R$ 30 (24-hour pass) 120 min

Hop-on hop-off; buy the pass at the Praça Rui Barbosa booth. Best value if you do the full loop early morning to avoid crowds at stop-offs.

Expresso Turismo (Airport Shuttle) From R$ 4.50 45 min

This direct line is far cheaper than a taxi. Sit on the left side for a view of the city’s famous botanical gardens on the way out.

Inter-2 (Local Bus) From R$ 4.50 10 min

Bus stops are marked with electronic panels. Insert rechargeable 'Cartão Transporte' token (buy at terminals) for R$ 4.50 flat fare—exact change not accepted.

Airport Taxi (Afonso Pena) From R$ 60-80 30 min

Book via the hotel reception for fixed rate; avoid street taxis outside the airport as they often charge double.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 3 days enough for Curitiba?

Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Setor Histórico & Rua XV de Novembro and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.

What is the best time to visit Curitiba?

See our full best time to visit Curitiba guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.

Where should I stay for this itinerary?

A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Ibis, Bourbon Batel Express, Hotel Aruba. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.