Porto Alegre (literally "happy port", pronounced POHR-too ah-LEH-gree) is the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Among the many tourist spots throughout the city, some of the most popular are the Lassoer gaucho statue (at the city entrance near the airport) and the revitalized Coal Power Plant (now a cultural center).

The sunset on the Guaiba river is also one of Porto Alegre's visual highlights. Favorite city parks include Windmill Park, Farroupilha Redemption Park and Brazilian Navy Park.

The city has many museums like the Rio Grande do Sul Museum of Art, the Pontifical University of Rio Grande do Sul Museum of Science and Technology and the Iberê Camargo Foundation.

Walking along the city's central boulevards, you can visit the center Metropolitan Cathedral, Archdiocese of Porto Alegre, the state government's headquarters at the Piratini Palace, the St. Peter Theatre and the Farroupilha Palace, home to the state legislature.