Inhotim
Contemporary Art Museum And Botanical Garden, Opened To The Public In 2006; One Of The Largest Open Air Art Centres In The World · Brumadinho, Minas Gerais
Inhotim is a contemporary art museum spread across a vast botanical garden in the hills of Minas Gerais, and it is one of the most extraordinary art places in the world. Instead of galleries in a single building, dozens of pavilions and outdoor works are scattered through landscaped gardens, lakes and forest, many built for one work alone and several by some of the most celebrated artists of our time. Visitors walk or ride electric carts between them, going from an installation hidden in the forest to a gallery sunk into a hillside, across gardens planted with thousands of species of palms and tropical plants. It opened to the public in 2006 and draws art lovers from abroad as well as from all of Brazil. It is big: one day covers only part of it, and two is better. Inhotim is in Brumadinho, about 60 kilometres from Belo Horizonte, the town struck by the 2019 mining dam collapse that killed about 270 people; the museum was not damaged, and visiting supports the local economy. It is closed early in the week.
Rua B, 20, Brumadinho, MG, Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Open from mid-week to Sunday and closed on the first days of the week, usually Monday and Tuesday in recent years - confirm current days and hours before travelling, because turning up on a closed day after the drive from Belo Horizonte is the classic mistake. Opening hours are daytime only, with last entry well before closing and longer hours at weekends. Tickets are sold online and at the gate, one ticket per day; a second day needs a second ticket. The electric carts between distant pavilions are sold separately and can sell out on busy days. Some pavilions have timed entry, limited capacity or close early, so do those first. Inhotim has offered free-entry days in the past, which bring big crowds - confirm the current policy. Direct buses from Belo Horizonte run only on open days with limited departures. Heavy afternoon rain in summer can close outdoor works.