The Jardim Botânico de Curitiba is the city's most photographed landmark, centred on an Art Nouveau-style iron and glass greenhouse that looks somewhat improbable in the middle of a modern Brazilian city. The surrounding gardens are formal and French in style — clipped hedges, geometric parterres — which creates an odd but appealing contrast with the subtropical vegetation.
The greenhouse itself is relatively small but contains a good collection of tropical and subtropical plants. The real pleasure is the gardens around it, which are large, well-maintained, and popular with families, joggers, and people who simply want to sit outside. There is a small museum of natural history on site. Entry to the gardens is free; the greenhouse charges a modest entry fee.
Location: Rua Engenheiro Ostoja Roguski, Jardim Botânico neighbourhood. Open daily.