Rio de Janeiro, Metropolitan capital in Southeast Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro extends across 1,200 square kilometers of coastline between the Atlantic Ocean, Guanabara Bay, and Sepetiba Bay with 246 kilometers of beaches.
Portuguese settlers established Rio de Janeiro in 1565, and the city served as Brazil's capital from 1763 to 1960, hosting the Portuguese royal family from 1808.
The city hosts Latin America's largest outdoor celebration during Carnival, with samba schools performing at the Sambadrome stadium for international audiences.
Rio de Janeiro's transportation system includes two airports, metro lines, buses, and cable cars that connect to hilltop neighborhoods across the metropolitan area.
The National Historical Museum preserves 287,000 items documenting Brazilian civilization, including the largest numismatic collection in Latin America.
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Inception: March 11, 1565
Elevation above the sea: 31 m
Shares border with: Duque de Caxias, Nilópolis, São João de Meriti, Itaguaí, Mesquita, Nova Iguaçu, Seropédica
Address: Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 20000-000 Rio de Janeiro
Phone: +1746
Website: http://rio.rj.gov.br
GPS coordinates: -22.91101,-43.20937
Latest update: November 26, 2025 09:45
Photo license: CC BY-SA 2.0
This collection features the ten most populous cities in South America, which account for more than half of the continent's population. São Paulo leads with 12 million inhabitants and serves as Brazil's economic hub, while Lima extends along the Pacific coast and Bogotá develops at 2620 meters above sea level in the Colombian Andes. Buenos Aires, Argentine capital known for its cuisine, borders Rio de Janeiro with its beaches lined by hills, and Santiago, nestled at the foot of the Andes. These large cities are the main political, economic, and cultural centers of their respective countries. Brazil alone has five metropolises in this ranking, including Brasília, the federal capital known for its modern architecture, as well as the coastal cities of Salvador and Fortaleza in the northeast of the country. Caracas in Venezuela and Lima in Peru complete this panorama of South American urban geography, each offering a different face of city development on the continent.
Rio de Janeiro is more than a city; it is a living backdrop. Between mountains and sea, the Brazilian metropolis showcases its most famous landscapes: Christ the Redeemer overlooking Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf shining in the sun, Ipanema and Copacabana beaches where music and sand never sleep. But Rio is not just postcards. In the streets of Santa Teresa, colorful azulejos climb the Selarón stairs, museums reinvent the modern city, parks hide tropical forests, and lookouts reveal stunning panoramas. From samba to nature, from colonial heritage to futuristic architecture, each neighborhood tells a different face of Rio. Here are the must-visit places to experience its energy, beauty, and the unique joie de vivre.
A selection of the most notable rooftop bars in Rio de Janeiro, offering panoramic views over the city, the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, and Guanabara Bay. These venues, located on top of luxury hotels and landmark buildings, serve refined cocktails and provide a sophisticated setting in the capital of Rio.
Christ the Redeemer
4.6 km
Maracanã Stadium
2.1 km
Rio–Niterói Bridge
7 km
Sugarloaf Mountain
6.9 km
Brazilian Academy of Letters
3.7 km
Parque Lage
5.5 km
Escadaria Selarón
3.1 km
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
5.6 km
Quinta da Boa Vista
1.6 km
Ilha do Governador
11.7 km
Museum of Tomorrow
3.6 km
Museu Nacional
1.8 km
Corcovado
4.6 km
Estádio da Gávea
7.6 km
Catete Palace
3.8 km
Colégio Pedro II
2.7 km
National Library of Brazil
3.5 km
Casa da Moeda do Brasil
2 km
Copacabana Palace
7 km
Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil
3.6 km
Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas
6.7 km
Flamengo Park
4.2 km
Carioca Aqueduct
3 km
Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí
1.3 km
Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden
6.5 km
Sugarloaf Cable Car
6.6 km
Paço Imperial
3.7 km
Confeitaria Colombo
3.2 kmReviews
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