Rio de Janeiro

Samba, sunshine and the most spectacular city setting on earth.

Rio squeezes rainforest, granite peaks and golden beaches into one exuberant city. Ride the cable car up Sugarloaf, watch football at the Maracanã and dance to samba in Lapa until late.

Best time to visit: December to March for summer and Carnival, May to October for milder weather. Language: Portuguese. Currency: Brazilian real (BRL).

Did you know?

Christ the Redeemer was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007.
Rio’s Carnival is the largest carnival in the world.
The Tijuca Forest is one of the largest urban forests in the world.

Things to do in Rio de Janeiro

Christ the Redeemer (Monument, free): Christ the Redeemer is an Art Deco statue of Jesus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, created by French-Polish sculptor Paul Landowski and built by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, in collaboration with French engineer
Copacabana (Beach, free): Copacabana is a Brazilian bairro located in the South Zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Ipanema District (Beach, free): Ipanema is a neighbourhood located in the South Zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between Leblon and Arpoador.
Museu Nacional (History museum): The National Museum of Brazil is the oldest scientific institution of Brazil.
Tijuca National Park (National park): The Tijuca National Park is an urban national park in the mountains of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Valongo Wharf (Archaeological site): The Valongo Wharf is an old dock located in the port area of Rio de Janeiro, between the current Coelho e Castro and Sacadura Cabral streets.
Rio de Janeiro Cathedral (Cathedral, free): The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, better known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro or as the Cathedral of St.
America Football Club (Historic site): America Football Club, usually abbreviated to America-RJ or simply America, is a Brazilian football team based in the city of Rio de Janeiro, in the northern neighborhood of Tijuca.
Olaria Atlético Clube (Historic site): Olaria Atlético Clube, usually abbreviated to Olaria, is a Brazilian football club established in 1915, since expanded into other sports.
Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden (Botanic garden): The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden or Jardim Botânico is located at the Jardim Botânico district in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro.
Candelária Church (Church, free): The Candelária Church is an important historical Roman Catholic church in the city of Rio de Janeiro, in southeastern Brazil.
Museu Nacional de Belas Artes (History museum): The Museu Nacional de Belas Artes is a national art museum located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Teatro Municipal (Theatre): The Theatro Municipal is an opera house in the Centro district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
National Historical Museum (History museum): The National Historical Museum of Brazil was created in 1922, and possesses over 287,000 items, including the largest numismatic collection of Latin America.
Urca (Historic site): Urca is a residential neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with a population of nearly 7,000.
Quinta da Boa Vista (Park, free): The Quinta da Boa Vista is a public park of great historical importance located in the São Cristóvão neighbourhood, in the North zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Old Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro (Church, free): The Old Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel is an old Carmelite church which served as cathedral of Rio de Janeiro from around 1808 until 1976.
Museum of Tomorrow (Science museum): The Museum of Tomorrow is a science museum in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Paço de São Cristóvão (Palace): Paço de São Cristóvão was an imperial palace located in the Quinta da Boa Vista park in the Imperial Neighbourhood of São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Paço Imperial (Art museum): The Paço Imperial, or Imperial Palace, previously known as the Royal Palace of Rio de Janeiro and Palace of the Viceroys, is a historic building in the center of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Flamengo Park (Park, free): Flamengo Park, also known as Aterro do Flamengo, Eduardo Gomes Park, and Aterro do Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes, is the largest public park and recreation area within the city of Rio de Janeiro, in eastern Brazil, and the la
Ilha Fiscal (Historic site): Ilha Fiscal, or Fiscal Island, is an island in Guanabara Bay, bordering the historic city center of Rio de Janeiro, in southeastern Brazil.
Santa Teresa Tram (Landmark, free): The Santa Teresa Tram, or Tramway, is a historic tram line in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Parque Lage (Park, free): Parque Henrique Lage, known as Parque Lage, is a public park in the city of Rio de Janeiro, located in the Jardim Botânico neighborhood at the foot of the Corcovado, on top of which Christ the Redeemer is located.
Cinelândia District (Square, free): Cinelândia is the popular name of a major public square in the centre of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Presbyterian Cathedral of Rio of Janeiro (Church, free): The Presbyterian Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, shortly the Presbyterian Cathedral, is a historic Presbyterian congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil.
Carmen Miranda Museum (Museum): The Carmen Miranda Museum, located in Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes Park, is dedicated to honoring the life and career of singer and actress Carmen Miranda.
Monument to the dead of World War II (Historic site): The Monument to the Dead of World War II, also the Monument to the Brazilian Soldiers of World War II, popularly known as Monumento aos Pracinhas commemorates Brazil's participation and losses in the Second World War.
Praça XV de Novembro (Square, free): The Praça XV de Novembro, is a public square in the Centro section of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Campo de Santana (Square, free): The Campo de Santana is a park located in the Praça da República in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Museu Nacional dos Povos Indígenas (Museum): O Museu do Índio is a cultural and scientific agency of the Fundação Nacional dos Povos Indígenas or FUNAI.
Earth Sciences Museum (Museum): The Earth Sciences Museum is a geological museum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Laranjeiras Palace (Palace): The Laranjeiras Palace is the official residence of the Governor of the State of the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Praia Vermelha (Beach, free): Beach in Urca District, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
Pedro Ernesto Palace (Historic site): The Pedro Ernesto Palace is a historic building located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Penha (Church, free): The Basilica Sanctuary of Our Lady of Penha de França, popularly known as Igreja da Penha, is a traditional Catholic sanctuary located in the Penha neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Largo do Boticário (Square, free): The Largo do Boticário is a square in the Cosme Velho neighborhood of the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
Copacabana Beach (Beach, free): Copacabana is a Brazilian bairro located in the South Zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Cidade das Artes Bibi Ferreira (Cultural venue): The Cidade das Artes is a cultural complex located in Barra da Tijuca in the Southwest Zone of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which was originally planned to open in 2004, with the name of Cidade da Música.
Teatro João Caetano (Theatre): The João Caetano Theater is located in Tiradentes Square, in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.
Passeio Público (Park, free): The Passeio Público is a public park in the historic centre of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Vista Chinesa (Viewpoint, free, hidden gem): The Vista Chinesa is one of the belvederes of Rio de Janeiro, at the topmost of one of the roads that connect the Jardim Botânico area to the Parque Nacional & Floresta da Tijuca, known as the Estrada da Vista Chinesa.
Palace of Itamaraty (Palace, hidden gem): The Itamaraty Palace is a 19th-century building of great historical and artistic value located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Jardim de Alá (Park, free, hidden gem): Park in Rio de Janeiro city.
Museu Antônio Parreiras (Museum, hidden gem): Museum in Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro Zoological Garden (Zoo, hidden gem): The Rio de Janeiro Zoological Garden is a zoo located in the district of São Cristóvão, in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
AquaRio (Aquarium, hidden gem): The Marine Aquarium of Rio de Janeiro, or AquaRio, is a public aquarium located in the Gamboa neighborhood, in the port zone of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Praia de Ipanema (Beach, free, hidden gem): Ipanema is a neighbourhood located in the South Zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between Leblon and Arpoador.
Terra Encantada (Amusement park, hidden gem): Terra Encantada was an amusement park in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, It operated from 1998 to 2010.
Largo do Machado (Square, free, hidden gem): Largo do Machado is a square located on the border of the Catete, Flamengo and Laranjeiras neighborhoods in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Rio Art Museum (Museum, hidden gem): Museu de Arte do Rio is an art museum in Rio de Janeiro which was inaugurated on 1 March 2013.
Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente (Museum, hidden gem): Museum of Images from the Unconscious was inaugurated on May 20, 1952, in the then National Psychiatric Center in the Engenho de Dentro neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, initiated by psychiatrist Nise da Silveira.
Praça Mauá (Square, free, hidden gem): Praça Mauá is a square situated in the Centro neighborhood of the Zona Central of Rio de Janeiro.
Church of Our Lady of Lapa dos Mercadores (Church, free, hidden gem): Church building in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Church of Saint Lucy (Church, free, hidden gem): Church in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
Santuário Basílica de São Sebastião (Church, free, hidden gem): Church building in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Where to eat and drink in Rio de Janeiro

Lapa, Lapa: Samba bars under the white arches of the aqueduct.
Confeitaria Colombo, Centro: Belle Époque café with mirrored walls, since 1894.
Churrascaria Palace, Copacabana: Classic rodízio: grilled meats carved at the table.
Aprazível, Santa Teresa: Brazilian cooking on a jungle hillside terrace.
Oro, Leblon: Creative Brazilian tasting menus by Felipe Bronze.
Bar Urca, Urca: Seafood snacks on the sea wall at sunset.
Marius Degustare, Leme: Seafood rodízio in a wildly decorated room.
Madame Olympe, Rio de Janeiro: Rio’s newest Michelin-starred table.
Koral, Rio de Janeiro: Great cooking at a fair price.
Sushi Vaz, Rio de Janeiro: A sushi counter newly recognised by Michelin.

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Plan a trip to Rio de Janeiro