Things to Do in Santa Maria

An open-air market on Saturdays selling fresh produce, crafts, and regional snacks like pastel and chimarrão gear. Entry is free; you just pay for what you buy.

🕐 Sat 7:00-13:00

💡 Go early (before 10am) for the best fruit selection. Bring small change for cheap bites—grilled corn and fresh juice are good.

A municipal art museum housed in a former train station. Exhibits rotate regularly, showcasing local and regional artists. Small but worthwhile.

🕐 Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00; closed Mon

💡 Check their Facebook page for free guided tours on first Saturdays. The building itself has interesting railway history.

A large public park with walking paths, a small lake, playgrounds, and plenty of shade. Great for a quiet stroll or a picnic.

🕐 Daily 6:00-21:00

💡 Bring your own snacks—the cafe inside is overpriced. Avoid weekends after 4pm when it gets crowded with families.

The main Catholic cathedral in the city centre, with striking modern architecture and stained-glass windows. Worth a quick visit to see the interior and the adjacent square.

🕐 Mon-Fri 8:00-12:00, 14:00-18:00; Sat 8:00-12:00; Sun 8:00-10:30

💡 Go on a weekday morning when it's quieter. The square out front has a small market on Saturdays.

A restored 19th-century mansion that houses a cultural centre and museum. Entry costs R$5—very cheap. Period furniture and local history exhibits inside.

🕐 Tue-Sat 9:00-17:00; Sun 14:00-17:00

💡 The gardens out back are free and open to the public even if you don't go inside. Good spot for photos.