Blumenau and Pomerode tour: German heritage cities

Two German-heritage cities built by immigrants, now full of museums, breweries and a zoo with over 1,000 animals

A 10-hour guided tour of Blumenau and Pomerode, two Brazilian cities shaped by German colonization, with visits to the Historic Center, Parque Vila Germânica, Schornstein Brewery, Zoo Pomerode, and museums including a collection of 3,000 toys and 30 classic cars. A live Portuguese-speaking guide leads the route. Van transport with air conditioning and individual reclining seats is included. Museum and zoo tickets are optional add-ons at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Blumenau and Pomerode highlights

• Visit Hercílio Luz Square
• See Colonial Family Museum exterior
• Walk Alameda Duque De Caxias street
• Visit Mausoleum Dr. Otto Blumenau
• Explore Cemetery of the Cats
• Panoramic tour Rua XV De Novembro
• View City Hall of Blumenau
• Pass by Iron Bridge of Blumenau
• Visit Parque Vila Germânica
• Stop at Portal Turístico Sul
• Shop at Nugali Chocolates Store
• Explore Pomerode Tourist Center
• Visit Zoo Pomerode
• Tour Pomerode Automobile Museum
• See Toys Museum collection

The experience

What makes these two cities worth a full day? They were built by German immigrants in southern Brazil, and the architecture, food culture and festivals still reflect that heritage. You start in Blumenau's Historic Center, where the guide walks you through Hercílio Luz Square (the founding story), the Colonial Family Museum exterior, and Alameda Duque De Caxias, the first planned street. Then comes the Mausoleum of Dr. Otto Blumenau, the city's founder, and the Cemetery of the Cats: a small, curious place tied to a local animal lover's story. The São Paulo Apostle Cathedral, Castelinho (a replica of a German city hall), and Carlos Gomes Theater line Rua XV de Novembro, where the Oktoberfest parade happens each year.

The second half shifts to Pomerode and its attractions. Parque Vila Germânica is a complex of European-style buildings with restaurants and shops selling regional crafts and products. It also hosts seasonal festivals like Oktoberfest, Easter Village and Christmas Magic. At the Pomerode Tourist Center, you visit Paseo Pomerano (a Germanic-style plaza with souvenir shops and local goods), Handgemacht (a cooperative of local artisans), and Schornstein Brewery, housed in a historic building with a 30-meter brick chimney. Zoo Pomerode holds over 1,000 animals across 242 species. The Automobile Museum displays 30 classic cars from the 1940s to 1970s, and the Toys Museum holds more than 3,000 cataloged toys from 1920 onward. You also stop at Nugali Chocolates, a producer of award-winning Brazilian chocolate.

The van is air-conditioned with individual reclining seats and a stereo, so the 10-hour day is spent mostly sitting and listening rather than walking long stretches. A live guide in Portuguese narrates the route and the history at each stop. Zoo and museum entry tickets are optional. You can add them at checkout or skip them and stay with the exterior views and the shops. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and small children sit on an adult's lap. Food and drinks are not included, so you'll want to budget for lunch and coffee stops along the way.

What’s included

• Accompaniment of a live tourist guide accredited by Cadastur who speaks Portuguese.
• van and executive minibus equipped with air conditioning, stereo, DVD and individual reclining seats.
• visits to the Historic Center of Blumenau, Parque Vila Germânica, Pomerode Tourist Center, Schornstein Brewery, Nugali Chocolates Store and the exteriors of museums and the zoo.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday and SaturdayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to2d before

AgesUp to age 90

GroupUp to 28

Live guidePortuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Transptur Turismo

Is this one for you?The tour runs 10 hours with most time spent in the van between stops, so it suits travelers who prefer guided narration and seated travel over walking-intensive exploration. Add museum and zoo tickets at checkout if you want to enter those sites. Without them, you see exteriors and public spaces only.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Parque Vila Germânica and what happens there?

Parque Vila Germânica is a complex of buildings built in European architectural style in Blumenau, with restaurants, souvenir shops selling regional products and typical crafts, and seasonal festivals including Oktoberfest, Osterdorf (Easter Village), Weihnachtsdorf (Christmas Magic), the Brazilian Beer Festival and Festitália.

Can I visit the museums and zoo, or do I just see them from outside?

Zoo Pomerode, the Automobile Museum and Toys Museum are optional add-ons you choose at checkout. If you add them, you enter and spend time inside. Tickets are not included in the base tour price. The Colonial Family Museum in Blumenau is photo-only from the exterior.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

Most of the day is spent in the van traveling between stops and viewing exteriors and public spaces like squares, streets and plazas. Walking happens at each stop but is not extensive. The pace is set by the guide's narration at each location rather than by hiking or long distances on foot.

What is Schornstein Brewery and why is it notable?

Schornstein Brewery is headquartered in a historic building in Pomerode, the old Mercado Weege. Next to the factory stands Schornstein Kneipe, the official bar, which is distinguished by a 30-meter-high chimney made of handmade solid bricks.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. You'll have opportunities to eat at restaurants in Parque Vila Germânica or at other stops, but you pay separately for meals and beverages.