The nearest convenient airports are those of [wiki=bdaa8e686a0605b54ff44fdb9417fdc8]Belo Horizonte[/wiki], especially that of Confins. From there, you must get to Ouro Preto by car or bus.
Ouro Preto sits on BR-356 about 120 kilometers southeast of [wiki=bdaa8e686a0605b54ff44fdb9417fdc8]Belo Horizonte[/wiki] and about 18 kilometers west of [wiki=5c886469358678ea7528ef60184a729e]Mariana[/wiki].
* Drivers coming from [wiki=3af93d8279e61b941550346acf3b9875]Juiz de Fora[/wiki] and [wiki=799a95bb2a6897d95c9904c300fc675b]Rio de Janeiro[/wiki] in the south should take BR-040 to [wiki=cdfa93b5e5fd645e840dd10cc0e1ab97]Conselheiro Lafaiete[/wiki], take the Ouro Branco Highway and once in [wiki=d7ea8322ff57b587e178fab1a26e32c6]Ouro Branco[/wiki] transfer to state highway MG-443 for the last 12 or so kilometers to Ouro Preto.
Buses arrive at the rodoviária on the northwestern edge of town. It is an easy downhill walk into the historic center.
* From [wiki=bdaa8e686a0605b54ff44fdb9417fdc8]Belo Horizonte[/wiki], by Pássaro Verde [url=http://www.passaroverde.com.br],]tel. 31 3201-2687, 2h. 16 departures daily.
* From [[São Paulo[/url]], by Útil [url=http://www.util.com.br/index.php],]2 departures daily at 6:45AM and 11:45PM, R$102.
* From [[Rio de Janeiro[/url]], by Útil [url=http://www.util.com.br/index.php],]tel. 21 2253-3884. 7h. Two departures daily at 07:30AM, 10PM, R$64-100.
* From [[Vitória[/url]], by São Geraldo [url=http://www.saogeraldo.com.br],]tel. 27 3223-0407 or by Itapemirim, tel. 27 3322-8400). 3 departures daily. The ride takes 7 and half hours.
* From [[Brasília[/url]], by Pássaro Verde, tel. 61 3223-6658. One departure daily. The ride takes 12 hours.
The town's small size and steep hills make walking the most convenient way of getting around the city center. Bring some good shoes and be prepared to huff and puff a bit, as the streets are cobbled and you will spend the day walking up and down steep hills. Travellers with impaired mobility may have a hard time getting around.
City buses run to neighborhoods outside of the city center, as well as to neighboring towns like [wiki=5c886469358678ea7528ef60184a729e]Mariana[/wiki].
Once a home of the regional tax collector, this colonial baroque structure served as a jail for revolutionaries in the late 18th century.
* This museum is dedicated to the memory of the Inconfidência Mineira, an unsuccessful 1789 revolt against Portuguese rule which was inspired by the American Revolution. The building, itself one of the best extant specimens of colonial baroque architecture, houses the remains of some the revolutionaries, a library and archives, as well as works by artists of the period, including works by Aleijadinho and Manuel da Costa Ataíde.
* This mineralogy museum has a quite varied collection of minerals from quartz to diamond to uranium, including many rare specimens. Children have free admission.
* This museum has a collection of paintings by Alberto da Veiga Guignard, an influential painter who lived his last years in the town.
*
* This charming museum has a large collection of over 300 elaborately decorated oratories, small portable prayer alters made for home or travel use.
* Many important works by Aleijadinho are elsewhere in the city, but this small museum has a few gems, including a strikingly life-like bust of Saint Francis of Paola. R$3 (students half-price).
Built in 1710, this is one of the oldest buildings in the region.
* The beautiful entranceway was made by Aleijadinho, and many paintings inside are attributed to Manoel da Costa Ataíde.
* This rococo-style church, built in 1766, holds the last works of Aleijadinho as well as the above-mentioned Oratory Museum.
* The oldest church in the city was designed by one of Aleijadinho's mentors and completed in 1731 to replace the original main church. Despite the rather stark outward appearance, the interior glistens with almost 1000 pounds of gold and almost 900 pounds of silver. The basement of the church holds the Museum of Sacred Art.
* Built in 1785 with slave labor. Slaves were forbidden to worship at any other church. The church has a unique shape, with a contour formed by three convergent ovals.
* This hilltop church, dedicated to an Ethiopian saint, was very popular with slaves and their descendants. It was supposedly built by Chico Rei and decorated with gold from the mine which bears his name. (See below)
* This unique rococo-style church, built in 1776, is arguably Aleijadinho's greatest work.
* Completed in the 1898, this church took a whopping 94 years to complete. Inside are Aleijadinho's sculpture of the saint after which it is named, as well as a life-size sculpture of the Last Supper.
* This church, completed in 1811, was partially designed by Aleijadinho. Currently under renovation.
* This 1727 church is famous for its 8 lavishly decorated altars. The cemetery here has the grave of Aleijadinho, and the sacristy houses a museum dedicated to him.
One of the largest and most-visited gold mines in the area, this mine was named for the legendary Chico Rei (see the infobox). Guided tours.
* An interesting mine in which you can see petrified trees in the tunnel walls.
* This is the world´s largest mine open to the public. In order to reach the mining galleries a small trolley is used and it is held by a steel cable. You descend for 315 meters and the total depth reaches 120 meters. The visit to the mine is accompanied by a guide (who normally does not speak English, so make sure you have someone who can translate for you). Apart from the grandiosity of the excavation, there is also a beautiful underground lake. If you plan to take pictures be aware that you will need a tripod and a lower shutter speed. Otherwise your pictures will be either blurred or totally blacked out. R$35 [2014 Prices] Tours (around 30 min) can be arranged through:
** OPM Empreendimentos Ltd, Passagem de Mariana, (on the road to [wiki=5c886469358678ea7528ef60184a729e]Mariana[/wiki]), tel. 31 3557-5001, minasdapassagem@minasdapassagem.com.br, [http://www.minasdapassagem.com.br].
* Opened in 1704, this is oldest mine in town. This mine was dug by slaves and shows the contrast between hand dug mines and industrially dug mines (such as 'Mina da Passagem). Look for the veins of mica and ocher visible in the tunnel walls. The walking space is very limited and in certain locations can be claustrophobic for those who do not enjoy enclosed spaces.
Carnaval - Ouro Preto is increasingly popular during Carnaval, especially with college students. Although the city loses some of its tranquil historic charm, the steep streets preclude the raucous loudspeaker trucks found in other cities like [wiki=0b2252be2a722506536e1099e29293dc]Olinda[/wiki], and people generally just party in the streets. Be sure to reserve accommodations in advance if you plan to visit during this time.
* Holy Week - Easter week brings lavish celebration to the streets around Matriz da N.S. da Conceicao, with intense floral decoration (Saturday night - you can help in the making of it) and interesting processions in the street.
* Winter Festival - An art festival with workshops and cultural events organized by the Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (Federal University of Ouro Preto).
Brumas Hostel (Youth Hostel), Rua Padre José Marcus Penna, 68, tel. (31) 3551-2944 /6745, [mailto:brumasonline@hotmail.com brumasonline@hotmail.com], [url=http://www.brumashostel.com.br/].]About 150m from the bus station. Nice city view. The hostel has its own kitchen where you can cook whenever you like. It also has a communal barbecue area to enjoy yourself and get together with others. Around R$ 30-35
*O Sorriso Do Lagarto Hostel & Posada, Rua Conseheiro Quintiliano, 271, tel. (31) 3551-4811 / 9866-2426, [mailto:ouropreto@osorrisodolagarto.com.br ouropreto@sorrisodolagarto.com.br[/url], [url=http://www.osorrisodolagarto.com.br/].]About 150m from the city center. The hostel is new and has a great breakfast of freshly baked cakes. Try their coffee with their special warmed milk. The toilets are very clean and well designed for multi-users. The owner is a very sweet guy and could give you a lift to/fro the bus station if you are nice.
* Pouso Arte Café com Arte, rua das Mercês 45, (31) 3552-2671, [url=http://www.pousocafecomarte.e1.com.br[/url],][mailto:cafe.comarte@bol.com.br[/url]. Beautiful house with a nice view, right in the city center. Only rooms for couples (R$70).
* Pension de Vera, rua Bernardo Vasconselos 86, (31) 3552-2587. The owner is very welcoming, sometimes (especially during carnaval) she makes mineira food for everyone (everyone buy the food and help to cook). Single from RS20.
*Student Houses, The city has a big university and is full of students houses, known as republicas. They often rent low-priced rooms to tourists.
Bed & Breakfast with television, free internet, a pool, and free parking.
* Satellite TV, minibar, security safe, laundry service. Parking available. Accepts major credit cards.
* Mini-bar, TV, laundry service, parking, and free breakfast. Discounts are available in the low season.
* Restored historic manor with an internal patio decorated in the style of the 1700s. TV, mini-bar. Free internet and breakfast.
* Suites have TV, telephone, mini-bar, and most have decent views of the city. Free breakfast. Parking available. Major credit cards accepted.
* Simple accommodations in a quiet setting with a nice little garden.
4-star hotel with rooms decorated in 18th-century style-- even the staff dress the part. Telephone, TV with English channels, minibar, and broadband internet. Breakfast buffet and shuttle service to the historic center are provided free of charge. Major credit cards accepted.
* Designed by Oscar Niemeyer in the early 1940's, this hotel has suites and apartments with phone, TV, minibar, and air conditioning. Each room has a balcony with a decent view. Swimming pool and restaurant on premises. Parking available. Major credit cards are accepted. R$140-240.
* This 18th-century manor now rents suites furnished with replicas of furniture
from the period. TV, phone, and on-site restaurant.
* The owners, she, an artist-painter, he, a classical musician, have reserved for their guests the whole first floor of their house (42m²), constituting 2 bedrooms, a living room and a large bathroom.