Varginha

Varginha offers unusual reasons to visit: the city combines a distinctive ET theme with cultural attractions and green parks. Families can tailor their plans depending on whether architecture, films, and the city’s history, or nature and outdoor activities are of greater interest. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can start thinking about the kind of holiday you would like to spend in Varginha.

ET culture and distinctive buildings

Nave do ET is a water reservoir whose exterior was designed to resemble a flying saucer. This makes the building a striking example of how the ET theme is reflected in Varginha. Another example is “O Caso do E.T. e a Identidade Varginhense”: the work was listed as cultural heritage of Varginha, and the listing was ratified on June 5, 2023. Anyone interested in the town’s cultural identity will find a tangible point of connection here that goes beyond a single building.

The Memorial do ET adds a planetarium to this theme, showing educational and cultural films. The memorial was inaugurated on November 9, 2022. Schools and groups must arrange visits by calling (35) 3690-2066. If you are traveling with a group, be sure to include this booking in your plans; for other visitors, the planetarium offers a way to expand your perspective on Varginha through films and astronomy.

The Theatro Municipal Capitólio offers a different cultural perspective. Its facade and interior feature decorative elements characteristic of the eclectic period and attributed to the Italian artist Alexandre Valatti. If you take a closer look at architecture, you can focus on the details here instead of getting to know Varginha solely through its ET motifs. The contrast between these decorative forms and the unusual design of Nave do ET offers two different ways to explore the city.

Parks, wildlife, and nature

The Parque Zoobotânico Municipal Dr. Mário Frota combines recreation, environmental education, and wildlife conservation. Its history dates back to 1963, when the park was established to house animals from the financially struggling Gran Circo Africano. This background gives the place a special historical dimension. You can make the park a focus of your trip alongside the cultural attractions, with its purpose and history at the heart of your visit.

At Parque Novo Horizonte, protected nature meets an opportunity for hiking. The park preserves an area with permanent protected status, including a spring and the surrounding forest vegetation. A trail runs alongside a large central lake fed by a spring. If you enjoy spending time outdoors on holiday, this place offers a different focus from the memorial, theater, and ET-related buildings. The lakeside trail makes the landscape a tangible part of a visit, without requiring an interest in culture.

When choosing the focus of your holiday, you can alternate between cultural discoveries, architecture, and nature, or combine these interests. If you want your holiday to center on what makes the city distinctive, focus on the ET theme and the Theatro Municipal Capitólio. If you would rather spend time outdoors, you can include Parque Novo Horizonte. These different interests can help you find a holiday apartment in Varginha that suits your trip.

More destinations

If you’d like to discover more destinations: Boa Esperança, São Lourenço, Uberaba, Melado, Simão Pereira, Fazendinha, Entre Rios De Minas and São Joaquim de Bicas.

Go to the main travel overview: Minas Gerais.