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Things to do in Rio de Janeiro: must-see sites, monuments, and beaches to visit in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is more than just a city; it’s a lively scene. Between mountains and ocean, the Brazilian metropolis showcases its most famous landscapes: Christ the Redeemer overlooking Guanabara Bay, the shining Sugarloaf Mountain under the sun, the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana where music and sand never sleep. But Rio cannot be reduced to postcards. In the streets of Santa Teresa, colorful azulejos climb the Selarón stairs, museums reinvent the modern city, parks hide rainforests, and viewpoints offer dizzying panoramas. From samba to nature, colonial heritage to futuristic architecture, each neighborhood tells a different face of Rio. These are the places not to miss to feel its energy, its beauty, and the unique joy of living it offers.

Sugarloaf Mountain
Sugarloaf Mountain

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This 396-meter granite peak rises at the entrance of Guanabara Bay. You take a cable car to view Rio from all angles, from the blue of the ocean to the green of Tijuca.

Maracana Stadium
Maracana Stadium

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Temple of Brazilian football, this monumental stadium hosts major matches and concerts. Built in 1950, it remains a symbol of the national passion for the sport.

Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Symbol of Rio and a global icon, the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooks the city from Corcovado Mountain. At 710 meters above sea level, the view extends over the bay, beaches, and green hills. A spiritual place as well as an unforgettable vista.

Ipanema Beach
Ipanema Beach

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Famous for its beauty and bohemian vibe, Ipanema offers views of the Two Brothers Mountains. Here, Cariocas gather to sunbathe, play volleyball, or admire the sunset over the ocean.

Tijuca National Park
Tijuca National Park

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Green lung of Rio, this vast protected rainforest houses waterfalls, trails, and spectacular viewpoints. One of the few national parks located in the heart of a metropolis.

Copacabana Beach
Copacabana Beach

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

4-kilometer beach with Portuguese stone mosaic promenade, numbered lifeguard stations, sports courts, and exercise areas along the shore.

Guanabara Bay
Guanabara Bay

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Natural harbor covering 412 square kilometers contains over 130 islands. Commercial ports and naval bases line the water's edge.

Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Perched on a hilltop, this neighborhood combines artist studios, pastel-colored facades, and an old tram. Its cobblestone streets offer a bohemian ambiance and a wonderful view of the city.

Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden
Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Created in 1808, this peaceful place gathers over 6,000 tropical species. The avenues lined with royal palms, orchids, and greenhouses make it an oasis in the city center.

Royal Portuguese Reading Room
Royal Portuguese Reading Room

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Library built in 1887 containing over 350,000 Portuguese titles in a limestone building with a central reading room decorated with wood carvings.

Selaron Steps
Selaron Steps

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Masterpiece of Brazilian street art, this colorful staircase connects the neighborhoods of Lapa and Santa Teresa. Each tile tells a story, a country, a dream.

Pedra da Gavea
Pedra da Gavea

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Granite mountain rising 842 meters above sea level, featuring marked hiking paths to the summit that take approximately 3 hours to complete.

Metropolitan Cathedral
Metropolitan Cathedral

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Modern religious building constructed in 1976 with concrete walls rising to a height of 96 meters in a conical shape with space for 20,000 people.

Parque Lage
Parque Lage

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Public garden containing a 1920s mansion transformed into an art school, surrounded by walking paths and native Atlantic Forest vegetation.

Bhering Factory
Bhering Factory

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Industrial building from 1880 that produced chocolate until 2012, now housing art studios, galleries, design offices and cultural events spaces.

Passeio Publico
Passeio Publico

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

First public park in Brazil created in 1783, featuring geometric gardens, fountains, sculptures and a terrace overlooking Guanabara Bay.

Cinelandia Square
Cinelandia Square

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Historic square containing the Municipal Theater, National Library and National Fine Arts Museum, marking Rio de Janeiro's cultural center from the early 1900s.

Cultural Center Bank of Brazil
Cultural Center Bank of Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A cultural institution in a 1906 building offering art exhibitions, theater performances, cinema screenings, and educational programs throughout the year.

Leblon
Leblon

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Coastal neighborhood with wide sandy beach, high-end shopping on Dias Ferreira Street, and numerous restaurants serving local and international cuisine.

Vista Chinesa
Vista Chinesa

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Chinese-style pavilion located 380 meters above sea level in Tijuca National Park, offering views of Sugarloaf Mountain and Guanabara Bay.

Arpoador Beach
Arpoador Beach

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rocky peninsula with beach between Copacabana and Ipanema, popular for surfing and watching sunsets over the South Atlantic Ocean.

Museum of Tomorrow
Museum of Tomorrow

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Futuristic architecture masterpiece on Guanabara Bay, this museum explores the connections between science, climate, and society. A must-visit to discover 21st-century Rio.

Barra da Tijuca Beach
Barra da Tijuca Beach

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

An 18-kilometer stretch of white sand with strong waves for surfing and areas for water sports, bordered by modern residential buildings.

Two Brothers Mountain
Two Brothers Mountain

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Natural formation with two granite peaks reaching 533 meters, offering hiking paths and views of beaches and Rocinha neighborhood.

Municipal Theater
Municipal Theater

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Inspired by the Garnier Opera House, this 1909 building is one of the architectural gems in the city center. Its gilded interior, stained glass windows, and frescoes depict the cultural grandeur of Rio in the past.

São Bento Monastery
São Bento Monastery

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A gem of colonial baroque. Its gilded altars and carved woodwork make it one of the best-preserved spiritual treasures in the city.

Dona Marta Lookout
Dona Marta Lookout

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

One of the most beautiful viewpoints in Rio, at an altitude of 396 meters. It offers a panoramic view of Sugarloaf, the bay, and Christ.

AquaRio
AquaRio

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Large marine research center and public aquarium containing 28 tanks with sharks, rays, and tropical fish from Brazil and worldwide.

Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon
Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Urban lake measuring 2.4 square kilometers. The shoreline includes a paved track for bicycles, running and walking exercise activities.

Prainha Beach
Prainha Beach

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Beach located between hills covered by native Atlantic Forest. The location offers strong waves that attract surfers throughout the year.

Copacabana Fort
Copacabana Fort

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Built in 1914, the fortress guards the entrance to the bay and houses a military museum. From the ramparts, the view of the beach and the mountains is breathtaking.

Grumari Beach
Grumari Beach

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Three kilometer beach inside an environmental preservation area. The sand strip features white sand and transparent water.

Telegraph Rock
Telegraph Rock

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Granite mountain reaching 354 meters high with marked trails leading to the top, offering views of Copacabana and Botafogo beaches.

Beautiful Rock
Beautiful Rock

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Mountain peak at 693 meters elevation with a platform for paragliding launches and views of Tijuca National Park.