Rua da Praia, Street in Centro Histórico, Porto Alegre, Brazil

Rua da Praia is a roughly 1.5-kilometer (1 mi) long pedestrian zone running through downtown Porto Alegre, paved with stone and lined with shops and cafes. The street brings together architectural styles from different periods and functions as a main hub for shopping and errands.

Created in 1772 along the Guaíba, the street was first called Rua da Praia only from the Gasômetro stretch to General Câmara; the section up to Praça Dom Feliciano was Rua da Graça. That name vanished from use after about 1843, when the first street signs appeared. The official name Rua dos Andradas was adopted on 17 August 1865, ahead of that year's Independence Day celebrations.

The crossing of Rua da Praia with Avenida Borges de Medeiros is called Esquina Democrática, a spot established as the city's rallying point for political rallies and popular demonstrations of many kinds. The street itself has hosted civic gatherings since the 20th century, when its elegant shops, cafés and cinemas made it the city's main meeting place.

The street has multiple bus stops, shopping centers, banks, and restaurants that make it easy to navigate and find what you need. Visitors can handle most daily errands and activities from this central location.

Although officially renamed to Rua dos Andradas in 1865, locals still call it Rua da Praia in everyday conversation. This traditional name has stubbornly persisted in how people refer to the place.