Ouro Preto Mariana tour: Belo Horizonte churches gold mines

Gold mines, baroque churches, and the weight of colonial history

A 10-hour guided tour from Belo Horizonte to two historic cities in Minas Gerais: Ouro Preto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 90 km away, and Mariana, the state's first capital, 20 minutes beyond it. You visit churches decorated by the sculptor Aleijadinho, descend into the Santa Rita Mine where enslaved workers extracted gold during the first mining cycle, tour the Museum of Inconfidence, and walk through Mariana's colonial squares. A professional Portuguese-speaking guide leads the group. Hotel pickup is included, and entrance fees to attractions are optional.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ouro Preto and Mariana historic sites

• Travel to Ouro Preto
• Visit Ouro Preto historical attractions
• Visit second richest gold church
• See church with Aleijadinho artworks
• Visit Aleijadinho Museum church
• Tour Museum of Inconfidence
• Visit Baroque theater
• Explore Santa Rita gold mine
• Travel to Mariana
• Visit Minas Gerais Square and landmarks
• See Church Cathedral da Sé and pipe organ

The experience

Ouro Preto sits at 1,130 meters above sea level, 90 km from Belo Horizonte, and the altitude and winding roads shape the day. The city's wealth came from gold, and that history lives in the churches: you'll see the second-richest gold church in the country, then the Church of São Francisco de Assis with works by Aleijadinho, the sculptor and architect whose disability, he lost his hands, makes his carvings more arresting. The Museum of Inconfidence, the second most visited museum in Brazil, documents how the gold economy built the city and how the Inconfident conspirators tried to break from Portugal. The Baroque theater, still operating, is the oldest in the Americas.

The Santa Rita Mine is the tour's most direct encounter with what the gold cost. It's one of the oldest mines in Minas Gerais, dug by enslaved workers during the first gold cycle. You descend into it (the operator does not specify the depth or the conditions), and the contrast between the ornate churches above and the mine below is the point. After Ouro Preto, you travel 20 minutes to Mariana, which was the state capital before Ouro Preto and the first seat of the archbishopric. Minas Gerais Square holds the old Town Hall and Prison, São Francisco de Assis Church, Nossa Senhora do Carmo Church, and the Pelourinho (the whipping post). The Cathedral da Sé has a German pipe organ. Entrance to Casa dos Contos is free. Other church and museum entries are optional and paid separately.

The tour runs 10 hours total. Your guide speaks Portuguese and is included. Hotel pickup from most downtown Belo Horizonte hotels is included. The specific departure time is set when you confirm the booking. You'll need sunscreen, sunglasses and comfortable shoes. A minimum of two passengers is required per booking.

What’s included

• Professional guide speaking Portuguese.
• round-trip hotel pickup from downtown Belo Horizonte.
• access to the Santa Rita Mine, multiple baroque churches, the Museum of Inconfidence, and Mariana's colonial squares.
• free entry to Casa dos Contos.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDeparts at 08:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guidePortuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Gray Line Brazil

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to understand how gold wealth built baroque architecture and colonial power in Minas Gerais, and how that wealth was extracted through slavery: the mine and the churches tell the same story from opposite ends. The 10-hour length and the 90 km distance from Belo Horizonte mean a full day of travel and walking. It suits someone with the stamina for altitude, winding roads, and several hours on foot across uneven colonial streets.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

Which churches will I visit in Ouro Preto?

You'll visit the church that holds the second-richest gold collection in Brazil; the Church of São Francisco de Assis, which displays works by the sculptor and architect Aleijadinho; and the church with the Aleijadinho Museum. The Baroque theater, the oldest operating theater in the Americas, is also on the itinerary.

What is the Museum of Inconfidence?

The Museum of Inconfidence is the second most visited museum in Brazil and documents the origins of Ouro Preto through its economy, social life, civil construction, and the Inconfident conspirators who plotted against Portuguese rule. Entrance is optional and paid separately.

How far is Mariana from Ouro Preto, and what will I see there?

Mariana is 20 minutes from Ouro Preto. It was the first capital of Minas Gerais and the first seat of the archbishopric. You'll visit Minas Gerais Square, which holds the old Town Hall and Prison, São Francisco de Assis Church, Nossa Senhora do Carmo Church, the Pelourinho, and the Cathedral da Sé, which features a German pipe organ.

Is hotel pickup included in this tour?

Yes, round-trip transportation from most downtown Belo Horizonte hotels is included. The specific departure time is confirmed when you book. You'll need to provide your full name, passport number (if foreign), mobile phone number with WhatsApp, and your hotel name and address.

Do I have to pay for entrance to the churches and museums?

Entrances to the churches and museums are optional and paid separately. The only free entrance is Casa dos Contos. Ask your guide for pricing and details on which sites interest you.