Belo Horizonte sits in the heart of Brazil's 18th-century mining region, surrounded by colonial towns and natural parks that make excellent day trips.
The gold-mining towns are the most popular excursions. Ouro Preto, about two hours southeast, is the grandest — a UNESCO World Heritage city of baroque churches and Aleijadinho sculpture that needs a full day. Congonhas, 80 km south, has the twelve soapstone prophets that many consider Aleijadinho's masterpiece and works well as a half-day or combined with Ouro Preto. Closest of all is Sabará, only 20 km east and reachable by city bus, with three remarkable colonial churches including the Chinese-influenced Nossa Senhora do Ó.
For something other than baroque, the open-air contemporary art park at Inhotim, 60 km west near Brumadinho, is the single most rewarding excursion for cultural visitors — allow a whole day. The Maquiné Cave to the north is one of Brazil's oldest show caves, with illuminated chambers and a park to round out a day. And Parque Natural do Caraça to the east offers mountain hiking through high-elevation Atlantic Forest — bring a jacket, as it gets cold after sunset even in summer.
