Nova Petrópolis

Nova Petrópolis is a small historic and tourist town in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. With a unique German culture and stunning scenic landscapes, Nova Petrópolis is a good starting point for tourists exploring the Serra Gaúcha region.

Understand
Located halfway between Caxias do Sul and Porto Alegre, Nova Petrópolis was founded by German immigrants who arrived in the region in the 19th century (mainly from Saxony and Pomerania). This city has a picturesque landscape, known for its German half-timbered houses and for its typical local cuisine, with streuselkuchens, sauerkrauts, sausages and many dishes of German origin.

By car
The main road that connects Nova Petrópolis to Porto Alegre is BR-116. By road, the city is about 98 km (61 mi) from Porto Alegre. This highway has a duplicated section of four lanes between Porto Alegre and Ivoti, a single—lane section between Ivoti and Nova Petrópolis, and is well maintained. The road skirts several mountains and has several sinuous curves; drive carefully.

By bus
The companies that have bus services to Nova Petrópolis are Caxiense, Citral and Wendling, all of them with bus lines departing from Porto Alegre. Caxiense also operates bus services to Caxias do Sul.

By plane
The nearest airport is Hugo Cantergiani Regional Airport, 35 km (22 mi) away in Caxias do Sul, with flights from Campinas , Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

It may be easier to find flights to Porto Alegre through the Salgado FIlho International Airport, but from there you must take a bus or a taxi to Porto Alegre Bus Station and from there, a bus to Nova Petrópolis.

Get around
Nova Petrópolis is a small town and most of the sights are located in the city center and can be explored on foot. However, if you want to explore more of the region, it's best to rent a car. It is recommended to stay in a city center hotel or inn if you don't have your own vehicle.