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Which is better: Diamantina or Ouro Preto?

Short answer

Diamantina and Ouro Preto are in the same region (Historic Cities of Minas Gerais). Diamantina: hometown of President Juscelino Kubitschek (JK) and of Chica da Silva, high in the Serra do Espinhaço; Ouro Preto: stone-paved slopes, gilded Baroque churches and the work of Aleijadinho in the former gold capital. For this month's weather, Diamantina has the edge. The two are about 386 km (240 mi) apart, 5h30 by car; you can combine them in a single trip.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap

Most reviewed activity in Ouro PretoJardineira Tour★ 8.6 · 145 reviews · from US$ 19 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →

	Diamantina	Ouro Preto
Best time to visit	May → Sep	May → Aug
Weather this month	25.5° · 9 days of rain	29° · 8 days of rain
By car	R$ 200 · from Belo Horizonte	R$ 63 · from Belo Horizonte
Ideal stay	3 days	2–3 days
Best for	Romantic, Adventure, Food	Romantic, Food, Family

Choose Diamantina if

you want a trip for couples and adventure seekers: stone streets, serenades from balconies and the echo of the diamond cycle.

See guide

Choose Ouro Preto if

you want a trip for couples and food lovers: stone-paved slopes, gilded Baroque churches and the work of Aleijadinho in the former gold capital.

See guide

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Where to stay

Where to stay: Diamantina or Ouro Preto

The average nightly rate is around R$ 400 in Diamantina and R$ 527 in Ouro Preto; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in Diamantina on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

See all hotels in Diamantina

Compare hotels and places to stay in Ouro Preto on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

9.5 ★★★★ · 71 reviews Pousada Sinhá Olímpia See on Booking →

9 ★★★★ · 14 reviews Hotel Solar de Maria See on Booking →

See all hotels in Ouro Preto

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

It is also worth checking the weather in Ouro Preto in September, one of the driest and most stable months in the region.

Frequently asked questions

Diamantina or Ouro Preto: which is better?

What is the best time to visit Diamantina and Ouro Preto?

The best time to visit Diamantina is from May to September; for Ouro Preto, it is from May to August, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.

Which of the two is cheaper to get to?

By car, leaving from Belo Horizonte, Diamantina is 292 km (181 mi) and costs about R$ 200 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from Belo Horizonte, Ouro Preto is 100 km (62 mi) and costs about R$ 63 each way (fuel plus tolls). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.

Where does it rain less, Diamantina or Ouro Preto?

Averaged over the year, Diamantina has 8 rainy days a month and Ouro Preto has 8. The two are practically tied over the year, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Diamantina is December and in Ouro Preto, December. For temperature, Ouro Preto is the warmer one (average high of 27° versus 24°).

How many days should you spend in Diamantina and in Ouro Preto?

To see the main sights without rushing, Diamantina calls for 3 days and Ouro Preto, 2–3 days. Since the two are 386 km (240 mi) from each other, anyone with 5 days or more can combine them in a single trip.

Diamantina or Ouro Preto with kids?

Ouro Preto (Minas Gerais Baroque, UNESCO heritage, and historic city) is the better pick of the two for families. Diamantina (UNESCO World Heritage; diamond cycle; vesperatas and serenades) is geared more toward adults or couples.

Can you visit Diamantina and Ouro Preto on the same trip?

Yes. The two are about 386 km (240 mi) apart, 5h30 by car and in the same region (Historic Cities of Minas Gerais). Combining them in a single itinerary is common, with a few days in each.

What should you not miss in each?

In Diamantina: Diamantina Metropolitan Cathedral, Casa de Chica da Silva, Mercado dos Tropeiros (Mercado Velho). In Ouro Preto: Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, Tiradentes Square, Inconfidência Museum. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.