Goiânia is included in the global ranking of high-growth destinations for 2027, according to Booking.com

Goiânia was selected as the only Brazilian city featured in the worldwide ranking of rising destinations for 2027, according to an annual study conducted by the booking website Booking.com. This list aggregates locations from five continents that have shown increased traveler interest, covering both lesser-known capitals and cities that typically do not appear on conventional tourist itineraries.

To compile this ranking, the platform analyzed the thousand destinations that registered the highest volume of bookings between January and June 2026, comparing this data with the same period in 2025. Minor adjustments were made to the classification to ensure geographical representation.

The survey reflects changes in tourist behavior. In a poll conducted with over 28,000 participants from 33 countries and territories, 79% indicated interest in taking atypical trips, and 82% stated that emotional state can influence the decision about the next destination.

Goiânia stands out due to its Art Deco architecture, a result of the capital's planning in the 1930s, and its cuisine, which uses typical Cerrado ingredients, such as pequi. Furthermore, the platform highlights the Municipal Market and the Marista and Bueno neighborhoods, recognized for the large number of nightlife options, cafes, bars, and restaurants.

Municipal Market of Goiânia

The Municipal Market of Goiânia is a reference point for experiencing regional gastronomy. In the various stalls and establishments, it is possible to find products and ingredients characteristic of the state, as well as traditional dishes such as empadão goiano and pamonha. Pequi, the emblematic fruit of the Cerrado, is also part of the local cuisine.

The Civic Square area concentrates historical buildings related to the founding of Goiânia. As it was planned in the 1930s, the capital maintains structures that help in understanding its original urban project and highlight the presence of Art Deco architecture. A walk through the center allows one to observe part of this architectural ensemble and learn about the places that shaped the formation of the capital of Goiás.

The Museum of Contemporary Art of Goiás (MAC Goiás) is located in the Oscar Niemeyer Cultural Center, a complex that also draws attention for the architecture designed by the architect himself. Inaugurated in 1988, the museum is dedicated to preserving, researching, and exhibiting over 1,200 works by artists from Goiás, Brazil, and internationally. Exhibitions take place in the DJ Oliveira and Cleber Gouvêa galleries, presenting shows focused on different figures and curatorial cuts.

Museums, galleries, and cultural centers offer continuous visual arts programming, encompassing artists from different generations and regions of the country. For example, in October, Goiânia's agenda included names such as Di Cavalcanti and Vik Muniz. It is advisable to check dates and visiting hours before planning the itinerary, as the programming varies throughout the year. Among the venues hosting exhibitions are the Cerrado Gallery, the Cora Coralina Cultural Village, the Leo Romano Gallery, the ELO Gallery, and the Museum of Art of Goiânia.

Goiânia also has several green areas distributed throughout its neighborhoods. In Jardim Goiás, Flamboyant Park offers lakes, gardens, and tree-lined paths. In Setor Bueno, Vaca Brava Park features a lake surrounded by vegetation and close to cafes and restaurants.

West Sector

In the West Sector, Bosque dos Buritis combines trails, lakes, and trees, in addition to housing the Museum of Art of Goiânia. Another option is Lago das Rosas, considered one of the capital's most traditional parks, featuring green areas and a lake ideal for walks.

Regarding local gastronomy, the restaurants of Grupo Íz are highlighted for blending Brazilian cuisine with international references, paying special attention to the flavors and ingredients of the Cerrado. Íz Restaurant, founded in 2015, was relocated in 2025 to a modernist mansion, where the exclusive Íz Hotel Conceito also operates, consisting of only three suites. Chef Ian Baiocchi's project follows the 'restaurant with rooms' concept, integrating gastronomy and accommodation in the same place. The structure also includes a spa, gym, pool, and sauna.

In addition to Grupo Íz, there are 1929 Trattoria Moderna, which combines Italian and Brazilian influences; Grá Bistro, focused on French cuisine; Famu, led by chef Lucas Duarte, which explores Asian and American references; Fulles Kitchen, specializing in international cuisine; and nip, an abbreviation for Not In Naples, which offers a relaxed interpretation of Neapolitan cuisine. Alata Sorvetes complements the offering with ice creams and sorbets made from Cerrado fruits.

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g1.globo.comOctober 24, 09:00

Economic transformations of Goiânia: from administrative headquarters to an industry and real estate hub in 93 years

Goiânia evolved from a planned city of fewer than 50,000 inhabitants, focused on being the new political-administrative seat of Goiás, into a capital with a robust and diversified economy, housing an estimated population of 1.5 million residents according to the IBGE. The city's economic trajectory over its 93 years involved notable socioeconomic changes, consolidating it as a reference in industry and the real estate market. Experts and residents have analyzed the paths taken in this process.

Adriana Sousa, president of the Regional Council of Economics of Goiás (Corecon-GO), summarized the nine decades of the capital, explaining that initially, the main economic drivers were the city's construction, the installation of public administration, and commerce. Subsequently, the construction of Brasília and the expansion of highways in the Center-West, along with the diversification of agriculture, attracted numerous companies and investments to the region.

Data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) demonstrate the various economic vocations acquired by the city, refuting the idea that its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is limited to agribusiness. A Continuous National Household Sample Survey (Pnad), referring to the second quarter of 2026, details the distribution of the employed population: 24% work in services and commerce, 18.3% are in sciences and intellectual professions, 12% are technicians and high school professionals, 11.7% are skilled workers, laborers, and construction artisans, and 9.8% belong to elementary occupations.

Commerce, which constitutes the largest group of workers, has undergone major changes, according to João Oliveira Ramos Neto, a history professor at the Federal Institute of Goiás (IFG). He recalls that in the 1990s, the center of Goiânia was extremely busy, with Bosque dos Buritis as the reference point, as parks like Vaca Brava and Flamboyant did not yet exist, and people went downtown to access services, commerce, and leisure.

Old records, such as advertisements from March 21, 1953, on Avenida Goiás, show the development of commerce in the Central Sector, while Senac advertised typing courses two years earlier on the same avenue. Helia Gonçalves, executive superintendent of the Chamber of Shopkeepers (CDL) of Goiânia, adds that besides the center, the Campinas Sector was a relevant commercial hub. With urban advancement, new poles emerged, such as the Region of 44, focused on fashion and garment manufacturing, and shopping centers spread throughout the neighborhoods.

José Ronaldo Alves Leite, a 59-year-old merchant, testifies to these changes. He started his wire mesh store in the Aeroviário Sector in 1988. He recounts facing initial difficulties with registration and material purchase but overcame the challenges of the time. He observes that the economy, both of the capital and the country, has changed profoundly, citing high inflation at the end of the 1980s, which was only controlled with the Real Plan in the following decade. Operationally, he compares sales from 1988, made via printed lists and landline telephone, with current methods using the internet, WhatsApp, and social media.

Despite commercial expansion, José Ronaldo's store remains in the same location, but other merchants have relocated. According to Helia Gonçalves, the decentralization of commerce was driven by population growth, real estate expansion, urban mobility, and consumers' search for greater convenience and proximity.

A milestone of this decentralization was the inauguration of Shopping Flamboyant in Jardim Goiás in 1980 and 1981. Later, other large centers, such as Goiânia Shopping in Setor Bueno in 1995, reinforced the trend of bringing commerce closer to residential and working areas.

Food Commerce

Supermarkets also illustrate significant transformations in the daily lives of Goiânia residents. Augusto Almeida, superintendent of the Goiás Supermarkets Association (Agos), reports that in the early decades, supply was managed by small grocery stores, warehouses, fairs, and assisted sales, where the attendant selected items requested by the customer. Only in the 1950s did supermarkets adopt the current model of open shelves and direct consumer choice.

In the 1970s, Goiânia received major chains such as Marcos, Moreira, Passe Bem, Alô Brasil, and Pirineus. Sirlei Antônio do Couto, president of Agos, attributes the constant change of these chains to the inherent dynamism of the sector, mentioning the transformation of family businesses into large chains and the alteration of brands and business groups.

In the same decade of the 1970s, wholesale chains arrived in Brazil. In Goiânia, however, this model only solidified more recently, combining with traditional retail to give rise to the concept of 'atacarejo'. Augusto Almeida explains that the advance of atacarejo in Goiás was strengthened in recent decades, accompanying urban expansion, the professionalization of food distribution, and the growth of regional and national networks.

The Strength of Industry

Goiânia's industry has diversified into various segments, ranging from food to machinery, equipment, and clothing. André Rocha, president of the Federation of Industries of the State of Goiás (Fieg), highlights the strong food production, including the dairy and meatpacking sectors. He emphasizes that the main meatpacking plant of the JBS group, currently the world's largest producer of animal protein, is located in Goiânia, in the Northwest region.

Rocha also draws attention to the fashion industry, linked to the well-known Region 44, which, according to the Business Advisory of Region Rua 44 (AER44), is the second largest apparel and fashion distribution hub in Brazil, boasting over 13,000 points of sale. The president of Fieg states that the fashion industry—which includes footwear, garments, and cosmetics—is a very strong and growing sector.

The civil construction sector is another indicator of industrial strength. Old streets with only houses and ground-floor establishments have given way to imposing buildings, many with more than 20 floors. Edson Roberto Vieira, IBGE superintendent in Goiás, relates this growth to the acceleration of the real estate market, driven by the financial flow generated by agribusiness. Vieira explains that many rural landowners, both within and outside the state, invest in the Goiânia real estate market, resulting in many luxury property launches, whose demand comes from agricultural income.

The Vibrant Real Estate Market

The analysis by the IBGE superintendent is supported by the statement of Felipe Melazzo, president of the Association of Real Estate Companies of Goiás (Ademi-GO), who points out that a large part of the investment in the sector is linked to agricultural activities. Melazzo affirms that the interaction between the real estate incorporation market and agribusiness is essential for the virtuous cycle of sustainable economic growth of the state's GDP.

According to Ademi, the real estate market in Goiás is the third largest in Brazil, with significant prominence for the capital. This segment contributes more than 10% of Goiânia's municipal revenue, and the construction industry alone represents 20% of the industrial workforce. To reach this level, the city overcame initial problems from its foundation. Melazzo details that although Goiânia has a modern and innovative urban layout, the initial occupation occurred marginally to the original design due to a lack of infrastructure, something that also happened in the 1930s, when there was little credit and a strong state presence in combating irregular occupations.