Ride Up to Christ the Redeemer at CorcovadoMust-See SightsPaid · Check AccessThe Christ the Redeemer statue at the top of Corcovado has a 360-degree view over Rio. A cog train or van takes you up — ticketed, busy, and often misty in the morning. Go in the afternoon on a clear day.0 Add to listRide Up to Christ the Redeemer at CorcovadoMust-See SightsPaid · Check AccessThe Christ the Redeemer statue at the top of Corcovado has a 360-degree view over Rio. A cog train or van takes you up — ticketed, busy, and often misty in the morning. Go in the afternoon on a clear day.0 Add to list
Ride the Sugarloaf Cable CarMust-See SightsPaidTwo cable car stages take you up Pao de Acucar for views over Guanabara Bay and the city. Ticketed and popular — go late afternoon for good light without the midday crowds.0 Add to listRide the Sugarloaf Cable CarMust-See SightsPaidTwo cable car stages take you up Pao de Acucar for views over Guanabara Bay and the city. Ticketed and popular — go late afternoon for good light without the midday crowds.0 Add to list
Relax on Copacabana BeachMust-See SightsSummerA 4 km sweep of beachfront in the south zone with the famous black-and-white wave mosaic pavement. Lively any day; vendors everywhere. Watch your belongings and apply sunscreen.0 Add to listRelax on Copacabana BeachMust-See SightsSummerA 4 km sweep of beachfront in the south zone with the famous black-and-white wave mosaic pavement. Lively any day; vendors everywhere. Watch your belongings and apply sunscreen.0 Add to list
Watch Sunset at Ipanema BeachMust-See SightsSummerA slightly calmer beach than Copacabana with good sunset views toward the Two Brothers peaks. Posto 9 is the liveliest section; Sunday afternoons draw big crowds.0 Add to listWatch Sunset at Ipanema BeachMust-See SightsSummerA slightly calmer beach than Copacabana with good sunset views toward the Two Brothers peaks. Posto 9 is the liveliest section; Sunday afternoons draw big crowds.0 Add to list
Climb the Selarón StepsMust-See SightsA long tiled staircase between Lapa and Santa Teresa covered in ceramic tiles collected by artist Jorge Selaron from around the world. A quick but striking stop — go early to avoid crowds.0 Add to listClimb the Selarón StepsMust-See SightsA long tiled staircase between Lapa and Santa Teresa covered in ceramic tiles collected by artist Jorge Selaron from around the world. A quick but striking stop — go early to avoid crowds.0 Add to list
Stroll the Palm Avenues of Jardim BotânicoMust-See SightsPaidA large botanical garden with an 750-metre avenue of Imperial Palms and plenty of shade. Good for a few hours; monkeys and toucans are often spotted. Ticketed entry.0 Add to listStroll the Palm Avenues of Jardim BotânicoMust-See SightsPaidA large botanical garden with an 750-metre avenue of Imperial Palms and plenty of shade. Good for a few hours; monkeys and toucans are often spotted. Ticketed entry.0 Add to list
Tour the Maracanã StadiumMust-See SightsPaidBrazil's most famous football stadium, now a multi-purpose venue. Stadium tours run regularly and are worth it for football fans — book ahead.0 Add to listTour the Maracanã StadiumMust-See SightsPaidBrazil's most famous football stadium, now a multi-purpose venue. Stadium tours run regularly and are worth it for football fans — book ahead.0 Add to list
Find the OTHER Statue of LibertyFun Side QuestsDay TripIn the working-class Bangu neighbourhood, a green Statue of Liberty by Bartholdi — the same sculptor as the New York original — stands near a mall. A genuine head-scratcher; treat it as a day trip.0 Add to listFind the OTHER Statue of LibertyFun Side QuestsDay TripIn the working-class Bangu neighbourhood, a green Statue of Liberty by Bartholdi — the same sculptor as the New York original — stands near a mall. A genuine head-scratcher; treat it as a day trip.0 Add to list
Sit With Carlos Drummond de Andrade on CopacabanaFun Side QuestsA bronze of poet Carlos Drummond de Andrade sits on the Copacabana boardwalk near Posto 6 with an empty seat beside him. Classic photo stop and a good excuse to sit for a few minutes.0 Add to listSit With Carlos Drummond de Andrade on CopacabanaFun Side QuestsA bronze of poet Carlos Drummond de Andrade sits on the Copacabana boardwalk near Posto 6 with an empty seat beside him. Classic photo stop and a good excuse to sit for a few minutes.0 Add to list
Join the Free Samba Roda at Pedra do SalFun Side QuestsLocal RitualsPedra do Sal in the port area is a carved stone staircase considered the birthplace of samba. On Monday evenings from around 7pm a free open-air roda runs — grab a drink from a nearby vendor.0 Add to listJoin the Free Samba Roda at Pedra do SalFun Side QuestsLocal RitualsPedra do Sal in the port area is a carved stone staircase considered the birthplace of samba. On Monday evenings from around 7pm a free open-air roda runs — grab a drink from a nearby vendor.0 Add to list
Buy Mate and Biscoito Globo on the BeachLocal FoodLocal RitualsOn any Rio beach, flag down an orange-clad vendor with a cooler and order iced mate tea with a bag of Biscoito Globo — doughnut-shaped snacks that come sweet or savoury. A genuine beach ritual.0 Add to listBuy Mate and Biscoito Globo on the BeachLocal FoodLocal RitualsOn any Rio beach, flag down an orange-clad vendor with a cooler and order iced mate tea with a bag of Biscoito Globo — doughnut-shaped snacks that come sweet or savoury. A genuine beach ritual.0 Add to list
Perch on the Mureta da Urca with a BeerFun Side QuestsLocal RitualsA low seawall in front of Bar Urca in the Urca neighbourhood where locals gather at sunset with drinks. Buy a cold beer from the bar, cross the street and sit on the wall over Guanabara Bay.0 Add to listPerch on the Mureta da Urca with a BeerFun Side QuestsLocal RitualsA low seawall in front of Bar Urca in the Urca neighbourhood where locals gather at sunset with drinks. Buy a cold beer from the bar, cross the street and sit on the wall over Guanabara Bay.0 Add to list
Whisper in the Harry Potter LibraryFun Side QuestsA free neo-Gothic reading room near Praca Tiradentes with three storeys of books and a stained-glass dome. One of the most impressive interiors in Rio — quick to visit and easy to combine with Lapa.0 Add to listWhisper in the Harry Potter LibraryFun Side QuestsA free neo-Gothic reading room near Praca Tiradentes with three storeys of books and a stained-glass dome. One of the most impressive interiors in Rio — quick to visit and easy to combine with Lapa.0 Add to list
Find the Hidden Pastel Houses of Largo do BoticárioFun Side QuestsAt the end of Rua Cosme Velho, a small square of pastel colonial houses around a stream sits almost completely quiet. Easy to miss — worth a short detour on the way to or from Corcovado.0 Add to listFind the Hidden Pastel Houses of Largo do BoticárioFun Side QuestsAt the end of Rua Cosme Velho, a small square of pastel colonial houses around a stream sits almost completely quiet. Easy to miss — worth a short detour on the way to or from Corcovado.0 Add to list
Hike Forte do Leme and Meet the Capuchin MonkeysActivePaidA short but steep 20-minute hike up the hill behind Copacabana to a small fort with views over the beach and sea. Capuchin monkeys are usually on the trail. Entry is a few reais and worth it.0 Add to listHike Forte do Leme and Meet the Capuchin MonkeysActivePaidA short but steep 20-minute hike up the hill behind Copacabana to a small fort with views over the beach and sea. Capuchin monkeys are usually on the trail. Entry is a few reais and worth it.0 Add to list
Eat Northeastern Food at Feira de São CristóvãoLocal FoodWith KidsA large covered market in Sao Cristovao with hundreds of stalls selling food, music and crafts from northeast Brazil. Forró dancing, carne de sol and acaraje — lively on weekends.0 Add to listEat Northeastern Food at Feira de São CristóvãoLocal FoodWith KidsA large covered market in Sao Cristovao with hundreds of stalls selling food, music and crafts from northeast Brazil. Forró dancing, carne de sol and acaraje — lively on weekends.0 Add to list
Ride the Bonde Tram Up to Santa TeresaFun Side QuestsPaidThe yellow Bonde tram runs from Estacao Carioca across the Lapa aqueduct up to the hillside neighbourhood of Santa Teresa. One of the few remaining historic street trams in South America — short ride, good views.0 Add to listRide the Bonde Tram Up to Santa TeresaFun Side QuestsPaidThe yellow Bonde tram runs from Estacao Carioca across the Lapa aqueduct up to the hillside neighbourhood of Santa Teresa. One of the few remaining historic street trams in South America — short ride, good views.0 Add to list
Run the Full Loop of Lagoa Rodrigo de FreitasActiveLocal RitualsSpring · Summer · FallA flat 7.5 km loop around the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, with Christ the Redeemer visible above. Popular with local runners and cyclists; kiosks around the lake sell coconut water and snacks.0 Add to listRun the Full Loop of Lagoa Rodrigo de FreitasActiveLocal RitualsSpring · Summer · FallA flat 7.5 km loop around the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, with Christ the Redeemer visible above. Popular with local runners and cyclists; kiosks around the lake sell coconut water and snacks.0 Add to list
Jog the Seaside Path at Aterro do FlamengoActiveLocal RitualsA long coastal promenade through Aterro do Flamengo park with Guanabara Bay on one side and Sugarloaf visible ahead. On Sundays the road closes to traffic — the best day to run it.0 Add to listJog the Seaside Path at Aterro do FlamengoActiveLocal RitualsA long coastal promenade through Aterro do Flamengo park with Guanabara Bay on one side and Sugarloaf visible ahead. On Sundays the road closes to traffic — the best day to run it.0 Add to list
Spot Marmosets Under the Giant Imperial PalmsActiveWith KidsPaidThe Jardim Botanico avenue of Imperial Palms is a reliable spot to see small capuchin monkeys and tufted-eared marmosets in the trees. Good for kids; combine with the turtle pond near the old sundial. Ticketed entry.0 Add to listSpot Marmosets Under the Giant Imperial PalmsActiveWith KidsPaidThe Jardim Botanico avenue of Imperial Palms is a reliable spot to see small capuchin monkeys and tufted-eared marmosets in the trees. Good for kids; combine with the turtle pond near the old sundial. Ticketed entry.0 Add to list
Walk the Shark Tunnel at AquaRioFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaidAquaRio in central Rio is the largest aquarium in South America, with an underwater glass tunnel where sharks and rays pass overhead. Good for kids and takes about two hours. Ticketed.0 Add to listWalk the Shark Tunnel at AquaRioFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaidAquaRio in central Rio is the largest aquarium in South America, with an underwater glass tunnel where sharks and rays pass overhead. Good for kids and takes about two hours. Ticketed.0 Add to list
Hunt the Cave Aquariums at Parque LageFun Side QuestsWith KidsThe grounds of the Parque Lage mansion at the foot of Corcovado are free to enter and have a small grotto with freshwater fish tanks. The courtyard café is a good stop — Christ the Redeemer is directly above.0 Add to listHunt the Cave Aquariums at Parque LageFun Side QuestsWith KidsThe grounds of the Parque Lage mansion at the foot of Corcovado are free to enter and have a small grotto with freshwater fish tanks. The courtyard café is a good stop — Christ the Redeemer is directly above.0 Add to list
