Things to do in Barro Alto, Goiás
A small town with simple pleasures: the main church, an urban lake, local festivals and the Brazilian savanna all around.
Updated on October 4, 2026 ✓ Information checked on October 4, 2026 adapted from the Portuguese original
Let’s be honest: Barro Alto is not a tourist town, and this guide won’t pretend it is. It is a small inland town in the state of Goiás, founded less than 80 years ago, that grew with farming and, from the 2000s, with nickel mining. What it offers are simple outings — and a good window into the Cerrado (the Brazilian savanna) and the economy of north-central Goiás.
In town
- Our Lady of Abadia main church (Igreja Matriz) — seat of the parish created in 1993, on Avenida Dom Bosco. Devotion to Our Lady of Abadia goes back to the 1956 chapel around which the village grew. See Our Lady of Abadia parish church.
- Town centre and Praça dos Três Poderes — the square where the City Hall and the Municipal Council stand; shops cluster around it.
- Lago Serra do Níquel — an urban lake that hosted the town’s anniversary celebrations, with concerts, in 2017. Nice for a late-afternoon walk. We found no official information on facilities or swimming — do not go into the water without local advice.
- Fairgrounds (Parque de Exposições) — renovated by the municipality and home to the ExpoAgro fair, with rodeo and concerts.
Around town
- Cerrado landscapes and ridges — the municipality has ridges mapped as Serra do Passa Três, Serra da Laguna and Serra Santa Bárbara, and rivers of the Tocantins basin. Many of them are on private land: always ask permission.
- Souzalândia — a village south of town, the traditional end point of horseback rides.
- Neighbouring towns and Serra da Mesa Lake — see around Barro Alto.
By the calendar
Festivals are the best time to see the town busy: the town anniversary (14 November), ExpoAgro (September in 2026) and horseback rides. See events.
To understand the town
Read the history of Barro Alto and nickel mining in Barro Alto.
Things to do
In this section
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Nature in Barro Alto: Cerrado, ridges and rivers A territory entirely within the Cerrado, crossed by ridges and rivers of the Tocantins basin. Read guide - Our Lady of Abadia Parish, Barro Alto's main church The devotion that gave rise to the town: from the 1956 chapel to the main church dedicated in 2008. Read guide
- Around Barro Alto: neighbouring towns and the region Goianésia, Uruaçu, Niquelândia, Serra da Mesa Lake and other places to combine with your trip. Read guide
Frequently asked questions
Are there waterfalls in Barro Alto?
We found no reliable source confirming waterfalls open to visitors within Barro Alto, so we do not recommend any. If you know an attraction with regular, authorised access, tell us through the contact page.
What can I do in Barro Alto in one day?
Visit the Our Lady of Abadia main church, walk around the town centre and the Praça dos Três Poderes, see the urban lake at sunset and try Goiás home cooking. See the one-day itinerary.