About
Nova Friburgo is a mountain town in the state of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil's southeast. It was founded by Swiss immigrants, and that heritage still shows in its alpine-style architecture and its cooler climate, which sets it apart from the coast and the hot lowlands nearby.
What to expect
The town sits among rolling hills, and much of its appeal lies in the surrounding countryside. Visitors come for the views, for slow walks through the streets, and for the sense of being in a place where European and Brazilian traditions have grown together. It suits a visitor looking for a change of pace and a different kind of Brazil.
Around the town
- Charming streets with buildings that recall the Swiss origins of the settlement
- Landscapes of hills and mountains that make the drive in worthwhile
- A cooler climate, a welcome contrast to the heat of Rio de Janeiro's beaches
- A local economy long known for its lingerie industry
Because Nova Friburgo is a town rather than a single attraction, a visit is best planned around wandering, eating, and taking in the scenery at your own pace. Those who enjoy places with a clear sense of their own history, and who like to see how an immigrant community has shaped a Brazilian town, will find it rewarding.