In a nutshell
- Cristo Redentor: The famous Christ statue watches over Rio from Corcovado Mountain, rising about 710 meters above the city — and it’s every bit as awe-inspiring up close as it looks in photos.
- Sugarloaf Mountain: Reach this iconic granite peak by cable car for one of the best panoramas in Rio — Copacabana, Christ the Redeemer, and the bay all in one view.
- Copacabana: Sipping a caipirinha on the world’s most famous beach is a must during your Brazil trip — just don’t expect peace and quiet.
- Those are the top three highlights, but there’s so much more to discover. Here are our 22 best things to do in Rio de Janeiro — including hidden favorites like Arpoador Rock and the Dois Irmãos hike.
Map of Attractions in Rio de Janeiro
We’ve marked all 22 of our highlights in Rio de Janeiro on a map for you. This gives you a better overview of where everything is located — and makes it much easier to plan your days.
Top Highlights in Rio de Janeiro
Short on time? Don’t miss these seven things to do in Rio de Janeiro. You can comfortably cover them in three days:
- Christ the Redeemer
- Sugarloaf Mountain
- Copacabana
- Ipanema
- Escadaria Selarón
- Santa Teresa
- Lapa
Christ the Redeemer
Just like Machu Picchu in Peru and Chichén Itzá in Mexico, the Christ the Redeemer statue is one of the Seven New Wonders of the World and ranks among the most famous attractions in the world. It’s not only THE highlight of Rio de Janeiro, but also a top draw in Brazil.
In Portuguese it’s called Cristo Redentor and stands atop the 710-meter-high Corcovado Mountain right in the middle of Rio. From below, the statue actually looks tiny — but when you’re standing right next to it, its 38 meters are seriously impressive.
There are several ways to get up there. For the athletic types, there’s a hiking trail that starts at Parque Lage (and no, despite what you often read online, the trail is not dangerous).
Far more popular is the ride by train or by official van, which takes you up to Corcovado. Don’t walk up the main road — that’s genuinely dangerous.
Get tickets for Cristo Redentor and the cog railway
We also have a detailed guide to visiting Christ the Redeemer in Rio:
Sugarloaf Mountain
Sugarloaf Mountain — or Pão de Açúcar in Portuguese — is just as iconic as Christ the Redeemer. Of all the granite hills in Rio, it’s the most recognizable.
From the top, you get a stunning panorama of Praia Vermelha, Copacabana, Christ the Redeemer, and the Ponte Rio-Niterói — South America‘s longest bridge.
The only way up is by cable car. It departs from Praia Vermelha and makes a stop at Morro da Urca — the smaller hill in front of Sugarloaf. You can also reach Morro da Urca via a hiking trail.
A round-trip cable car ticket costs 160 reais. The discounted price is 80 reais and applies to children up to age 21, students, and people over 60. The cable cars run every day of the week.
Get cable car tickets for Sugarloaf Mountain
Copacabana
There’s probably no beach in the world as famous as Copacabana. Along this roughly 4-kilometer stretch of sand right in the heart of Rio, Brazilian joie de vivre is in full swing: sipping caipirinhas, soaking up samba rhythms, and plenty of sun-kissed skin.
The barracas (beach kiosks) keep you supplied with drinks and lounge chairs. From the beach vendors who pass by roughly every minute, you can buy everything from cookies to bikinis to grilled cheese — basically anything you might (or might not) need on a beach day.
Beach sports are also hugely popular at Copacabana, and there’s no shortage of creativity. Watch toned Brazilians play beach volleyball, footvolley, or beach tennis — it’s genuinely entertaining.
You’ll never be bored at Copacabana, that’s for sure. If you’re after peace and quiet, though, you’d better find a different beach.
Our tip: The area around Copacabana is our top pick for where to stay in Rio. Check out our article with the best hotel recommendations for Rio de Janeiro.
Ipanema
Ipanema Beach is almost as well-known as Copacabana and very similar to it. We actually think Ipanema is a tiny bit more beautiful, because from here you get a gorgeous view of the Dois Irmãos mountain peaks.
Ipanema has soft sand, and the currents — just like at Copacabana — are very strong. It stretches for 2.5 kilometers before flowing into Leblon Beach. Ipanema is a lively beach where there’s always something going on.
Escadaria Selarón
Colorful, more colorful, Escadaria Selarón! The famous staircase in central Rio is covered in tiles that shine in vivid colors. It connects the neighborhoods of Lapa and Santa Teresa and is one of the top must-sees in Rio de Janeiro.
The Escadaria Selarón draws crowds of visitors looking to snap great photos on the staircase and sip an incredibly affordable caipirinha.
Note: Don’t wander too far from the staircase — the surrounding alleyways are nearly deserted during the day and can be quite dangerous.
Santa Teresa
The Escadaria Selarón leads up to a hill where the historic neighborhood of Santa Teresa is located. It’s our favorite district in all of Rio.
Old streetcars run through the charming lanes of Santa Teresa, reminiscent of Lisbon. You’ll also find lovely little shops here, and the pace is noticeably calmer than the rest of the city.
A tram ride is a must — it takes you not only through Santa Teresa but also across the Lapa Arches, another standout point of interest in Rio de Janeiro.
Book the tour through Santa Teresa with a tram ride
Lapa
Lapa is Rio de Janeiro’s nightlife district. The streets are practically deserted during the day, but the place comes alive at night — nightclubs pumping Brazilian funk, lively samba bars, and caipirinha stands lining the streets.
A night out in Lapa is an unforgettable experience and gives you a real taste of authentic Brazilian culture.
The top attraction in Lapa is the Arcos da Lapa — a massive white archway. It’s just one street away from the Escadaria Selarón and well worth a look during the day.
Caution: Lapa is a very unsafe neighborhood. During the day, stick to the area around the archway and the Escadaria Selarón. At night, don’t leave the main bar strip — head straight for an Uber or taxi instead.
Viewpoints in Rio de Janeiro
If Rio has one thing in abundance, it’s incredible viewpoints. Here are our personal favorites.
Helicopter Ride and Paragliding
Arguably the most stunning vista of Rio is from a helicopter. You get to see the city and its impressive granite hills from above — and you’ll get the best possible view of Christ the Redeemer that Rio has to offer.
If you want to experience Rio from the air but also crave a real adrenaline rush, paragliding is a fantastic alternative. The launch point for paragliding flights is Pedra Bonito, and you’ll land on São Conrado Beach.
Book a helicopter flight over Rio de Janeiro
Book a paragliding flight over Rio de Janeiro
Dois Irmãos
Dois Irmãos is one of our favorite hikes in Rio de Janeiro. The two impressive peaks catch your eye immediately from Ipanema, and you can hike up to the larger of the two.
The starting point is in Favela Vidigal (don’t worry — this one is relatively safe). The best approach is to take a taxi to the entrance of the favela and then hitch a ride up on a motorcycle.
Technically the hike is free, but most of the time someone will be standing at the entrance asking for 5 or 10 reais — you’re in a favela, after all, so the rules are a bit flexible. Make sure you have some cash on you.
From there, it’s about 1.5 kilometers of moderate uphill hiking. The effort is totally worth it — the view from the top is fantastic. You can see all of Ipanema, Christ the Redeemer, the Lagoa, and snap some incredible photos.
We recommend doing this hike on a weekday, when it’s the least crowded.
Arpoador Rock
The two beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana are separated by a small strip of land. On the Copacabana side there’s a fort, and on the Ipanema side there’s a cluster of rocks.
These rocks are known as Arpoador Rock. You can walk to them from Posto 8 (the lifeguard station) in Ipanema. At sunset, crowds flock here — and for good reason. It’s one of the most beautiful spots in the city to watch the sun go down.
You get a sweeping panorama of Ipanema and Leblon beaches, as well as the Dois Irmãos hills and Favela Vidigal, behind which the sky turns a deep red.
Street musicians often play at Arpoador Rock in the evening, making the atmosphere simply magical.
Pedra do Telégrafo
Pedra do Telégrafo is located a bit outside of Rio and is actually not particularly known for its views — it’s famous for the cool photos you can take there.
When you stand on the rock or hang off its edge, photos make it look like you’re dangling on a dangerous cliff with no safety net. In reality, there’s another rock right beneath it, so the whole thing is completely safe.
Pedra do Telégrafo is seriously a world-famous Instagram spot. And you do get a beautiful view of Rio de Janeiro’s coastline from up there as well.
The hike to Pedra do Telegrafo starts in the village of Barra de Guaratiba, is about 1.5 kilometers long, and involves a climb of roughly 250 meters in elevation.
Pedra da Gávea
Of all the peaks in Rio, Pedra da Gávea offers hands-down the best views. The rock sits between São Conrado and Barra da Tijuca and is the largest coastal granite monolith in the world.
Despite the jaw-dropping vistas from the top — which are noticeably more spectacular than those from Sugarloaf Mountain or Christ the Redeemer — Pedra da Gávea isn’t a typical tourist destination. Why? Because reaching the summit requires a strenuous hike with a short climbing section.
The round trip is 5 kilometers and involves nearly 800 meters of elevation gain. Near the end, you’ll reach the Carrasqueira — the climbing section. If you have no climbing experience or aren’t fully comfortable with heights, do not attempt this section without proper gear and a guide.
We strongly recommend doing this hike with a guide, as they bring the necessary equipment and know the route well. In theory it can be done without safety gear on your own, but we wouldn’t take that risk. Safety first.
Book the guided hike to Pedra da Gávea
Experience Culture in Rio de Janeiro
Brazil’s culture is incredibly diverse, and in Rio you can experience so many facets of it — from celebrating carnival to watching a soccer game.
Carnival
Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival is the biggest carnival in the world. For anyone who loves carnival, experiencing it in Rio is probably a dream come true.
The streets of Rio go all out during Carnival — essentially, the entire city becomes one big party. People dance samba, walk around in barely-there outfits, and let loose like there’s no tomorrow. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
The epicenter of Carnival is the famous Sambadrome. Here, various samba schools put on shows that are nothing short of spectacular.
Carnival season is one of the most popular times to visit Rio de Janeiro. Be sure to keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Get tickets for the Sambadrome at Carnival
Maracanã
The Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro — yes, the very stadium where the 2014 World Cup final was played. It’s the most famous soccer stadium in Brazil, and games are held here almost every week.
The Maracanã holds 78,838 spectators, and catching a game here is a seriously cool experience — the atmosphere is absolutely electric.
The two soccer teams that play here are Fluminense and Flamengo.
Get tickets for a soccer game at the Maracanã
Book the stadium tour of the Maracanã
Museo do Amanhã
The Museo do Amanhã is the most well-known museum in Rio, and a visit is absolutely worth it — and we say that even though we’re really not museum people.
The building alone is a genuine highlight. The extraordinary architecture is super cool to look at and makes for a great photo subject. It’s worth walking all the way around the outside.
The Museo do Amanhã is a science museum that explores topics about the future, humanity, and current global trends — all of which give you plenty to think about.
Admission costs 30 reais for adults and 15 reais at the discounted rate. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Catedral Metropolitana
Honestly? The Catedral Metropolitana is one of the ugliest cathedrals we’ve ever seen. We genuinely found ourselves wondering how this building ever became Rio’s cathedral.
If you’re only in Rio for a short time, you can easily skip it. But in a strange way, we found it kind of interesting precisely because of its bizarre appearance. So if you’re already in the center of Rio, it’s worth a quick look.
Admission to the Catedral Metropolitana is free.
Favelas
Favelas are Brazil’s low-income neighborhoods. There are countless of them in Rio de Janeiro — most are located on the city’s hills and are very dangerous. Don’t wander into them on your own.
However, a few favelas have increasingly become tourist attractions and are therefore safer for visitors. Here are some relatively safe favelas:
- Rocinha
- Vidigal
- Santa Marta
- Cantagalo
Honestly, we’re not big fans of what’s sometimes called “poverty tourism,” so we decided against doing a guided favela tour.
At the same time, we were genuinely curious to see a favela for ourselves. So we explored on our own and tried our best not to look too much like tourists.
Each favela has a main street that runs uphill from the entrance. At the very top, there’s a viewpoint geared toward visitors. The views from up there are fantastic.
With the exception of Rocinha — where buses also run — motorcycles are the only means of transportation inside the favelas. For a few reais, you can get a ride from a motorcycle driver.
The side streets are all very narrow and usually pretty dirty. We preferred to stick to the chaotic main street. There are people everywhere and all kinds of shops blasting music. Honestly, we never felt unsafe. The atmosphere was really cool.
One thing to keep in mind: don’t take photos inside the favela (except at the viewpoints) — residents aren’t too happy about that.
If exploring the favelas on your own feels too risky — which we totally understand — it’s better to book a guided tour:
Book the favela tour through Rocinha
Book the favela tour through Santa Marta
Wondering whether Rio de Janeiro is safe for tourists? Read our article about safety in Rio:
Parks and Lakes in Rio de Janeiro
Want to escape Rio’s heat and hustle for a moment? Head to one of the city’s green corners. Here are our recommendations!
Botanical Garden
Rio de Janeiro’s Jardim Botânico is the oldest in South America and one of the most significant, largest, and species-rich botanical gardens in the entire world.
If you have any interest in plants, the Botanical Garden is an absolute must on your Rio itinerary. We strongly recommend doing a guided tour — you’ll learn so much about the diverse plant species.
Even if plants aren’t your thing, the Jardim Botânico is still worth a visit. It has some beautiful and impressive paths to explore, and it’s a great spot for photos.
Admission costs 73 reais for adults and 36.50 reais at the discounted rate. You can buy tickets on the Jardim Botânico website.
Book the guided tour of the Jardim Botânico
Parque Lage
Just a few blocks from the Botanical Garden is another lovely park: Parque Lage. It’s particularly well known for its café, which is a popular Instagram spot — there’s a pool in the center of the building and Christ the Redeemer towering in the background.
Beyond that, it’s worth strolling through the park and exploring the flora and fauna. There’s also an aquarium and some grottos inside.
Entry to Parque Lage is free.
By the way: Parque Lage is the starting point of the hiking trail up to Christ the Redeemer.
Lagoa
Right in the middle of Rio, between Ipanema, the Botanical Garden, and Corcovado, lies a large lake: Lagoa. You can’t swim in it, but it’s perfect for a leisurely walk — and a great spot to watch the sunset.
The route around the full perimeter is about 7.5 kilometers long and very popular with joggers and cyclists. Rowers can often be seen out on the lake itself. There are also various sports courts nearby — soccer and tennis courts — that are free to use.
You may already be familiar with Lagoa from photos, as it’s a popular subject from overlooks like Corcovado or Dois Irmãos.
Day Trips Around Rio de Janeiro
The area around Rio de Janeiro is simply spectacular — stunning beaches and an abundance of nature, all within reach.
Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande is nothing short of paradise. The island is located about 150 kilometers west of Rio and is one of the most beautiful places in Brazil.
You’ll find dream-worthy beaches with white sand and crystal-clear water, hikes through lush nature, and a variety of boat tours to choose from.
The main town on Ilha Grande is Abraão. Nearly all accommodations are located here, and most boats from the mainland dock here as well. We recommend planning at least two nights on the island.
If you’re traveling independently, buses run from Rio with the provider Costa Verde to Mangaratiba, Jacarei, and Angra dos Reis. Boats to Ilha Grande depart from all three locations. More information about the boats can be found on the Ilha Grande website. Unfortunately, the information is only available in Portuguese.
The easier option is to book a transfer from Rio that covers the entire journey.
Book the transfer from Rio to Ilha Grande
Arraial do Cabo
Still haven’t had enough of dream beaches? Arraial do Cabo takes it up another notch. Often called the Caribbean of Rio, the water here is turquoise blue and crystal clear.
The standout beaches are Praia do Forno and Praia do Pontal do Atalaia. Arraial also offers plenty of boat tours and diving excursions.
Overall, the town is very touristy — it’s mainly the Cariocas (Rio residents) who love to spend a weekend here. The neighboring towns of Búzios and Cabo Frio are a bit less commercial.
