No trip to Brazil feels complete without spending some time in Rio de Janeiro. It’s a vibrant, multicultural city with an incredible setting, squeezed between forest-covered mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, with long beaches running through some of its most famous neighbourhoods.
What makes Rio de Janeiro so enjoyable is the mix. Beach life is part of the everyday, music and samba are woven into the city’s culture, and there’s a fantastic food scene alongside historic neighbourhoods, galleries, markets and green spaces. You can be high above the city taking in the views one moment and back at sea level with your feet in the sand not long after.
It’s lively, colourful and at times a little chaotic, but that’s part of Rio de Janeiro’s appeal. Spend some time here rather than simply passing through. Here are our top recommendations for experiencing the city.
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Visit Christ the Redeemer
Rio de Janeiro's Most Famous Landmark
Standing at the top of Corcovado Mountain, 710 metres above the city, Christ the Redeemer is Rio de Janeiro’s most famous landmark. The views are just as memorable, stretching across the city to Sugarloaf Mountain, Guanabara Bay, the lagoon and Atlantic coastline.
We recommend taking the historic Corcovado Train from Cosme Velho. The journey climbs through the forest of Tijuca National Park before reaching the summit, so getting there becomes part of the experience. Once at the top, you can walk out onto the viewing platforms beneath the statue for some of the best panoramic views across Rio de Janeiro. If you only have 48 Hours in Rio, this is one sight we wouldn’t miss.
Weather makes a real difference here. Try to visit on a clear day and, where possible, earlier in the morning when it tends to be less crowded. Low cloud can quickly hide both the statue and the views.
Take the Cable Car Up Sugarloaf Mountain
See Rio de Janeiro from Above
Sugarloaf Mountain gives you a completely different view of Rio de Janeiro, looking across Guanabara Bay, the beaches, surrounding mountains and back towards Christ the Redeemer.
The cable car takes you up in two stages, first to Morro da Urca and then to the summit of Sugarloaf, 396 metres above sea level. There are viewpoints at both levels, so allow time to wander rather than heading straight to the top.
Late afternoon is a particularly good time to visit. You can see the city in daylight before watching the sun drop behind the mountains and Rio de Janeiro begin to light up below. It’s worth checking sunset times when planning your visit, particularly as these change throughout the year.
Spend Time on Ipanema and Copacabana Beaches
Experience Rio de Janeiro's Beach Life
Rio de Janeiro’s beaches are much more than somewhere to swim and sunbathe. They’re a huge part of everyday life in the city, with people walking, running and cycling along the promenade, playing volleyball and footvolley on the sand, or meeting for a drink at one of the beachfront kiosks.
Copacabana is the more famous of the two, with its long sweep of sand and distinctive wave-patterned promenade. Ipanema feels a little more relaxed, with different sections of the beach attracting their own crowds and views towards the Dois Irmãos peaks at the western end.
Make time for both, even if you’re not planning a full beach day. Ipanema and Copacabana are among the best beaches in Brazil for experiencing the country’s famous beach culture. A walk along the seafront, a swim or simply stopping for fresh coconut water gives you a much better feel for Rio de Janeiro beyond its major sights.
Explore Santa Teresa
Discover a Different Side of Rio de Janeiro
Set on the hills above the city, Santa Teresa feels very different from Rio de Janeiro’s beachfront neighbourhoods. Its steep streets are lined with colourful houses, historic mansions, independent galleries, small shops, cafés and restaurants, with views appearing between the buildings as you explore.
The neighbourhood is also famous for its yellow tram, the Bonde de Santa Teresa, which crosses the Arcos da Lapa before climbing into the hills. It’s a fun way to arrive, but Santa Teresa itself is best explored on foot, wandering through the quieter side streets and stopping wherever catches your attention.
Come during the day when the galleries, shops and cafés are open, and combine it with nearby Lapa and the Selarón Steps rather than treating it as a standalone sightseeing stop.
See the Selarón Steps and Explore Lapa
Colour, Street Art and Rio de Janeiro After Dark
Explore Tijuca National Park
Rainforest in the Heart of Rio de Janeiro
Tijuca National Park covers almost 4,000 hectares of Atlantic Forest within Rio de Janeiro, with walking trails, waterfalls and viewpoints surprisingly close to the city’s beaches and neighbourhoods. Christ the Redeemer sits within the park, but there is much more to explore beyond Corcovado.
Wildlife lives throughout the forest, so keep an eye out for capuchin monkeys, coatis, three-toed sloths and toucans, alongside plenty of other birdlife.
The park has several different entrances depending on where you want to explore. The main Tijuca Forest section is reached via Alto da Boa Vista, while Pedra Bonita is accessed from São Conrado and the Serra da Carioca section includes Corcovado and viewpoints such as Vista Chinesa. You can reach parts of the park by car or taxi, and we’d recommend exploring with a guide if you want to walk the forest trails rather than simply visit the viewpoints.
April to October generally brings drier conditions for walking, while summer is hotter and wetter, so it’s worth considering the park when deciding on the best tme to visit Brazil
Discover Rio de Janeiro’s Food and Nightlife
From Botecos to Late-Night Samba
Experience Samba in Rio de Janeiro
Get to Know the Music Behind the City
Samba is deeply connected to Rio de Janeiro’s Afro-Brazilian history and remains an important part of the city’s culture today. One of the best ways to experience it is at a roda de samba, where musicians gather in a circle to play and sing, with the audience standing or sitting around them and joining in.
Pedra do Sal is particularly significant. This historic square in the Saúde neighbourhood was an important meeting place for Rio de Janeiro’s Afro-Brazilian community and is closely linked to the early development of samba. It still hosts popular samba gatherings today.
We recommend experiencing a roda de samba with a local guide who can introduce you to the music and its history, rather than simply taking you to a samba show. It gives you a much better understanding of why samba is such an important part of Rio de Janeiro.
Visit Rio de Janeiro During Carnival
Experience the City at Its Biggest Celebration
Carnival is Rio de Janeiro at its most colourful and energetic, with several days of celebrations taking over the city in February or March each year. At the centre of it all are Rio’s samba schools, which spend months preparing for their performances at the Sambadrome. Expect enormous floats, elaborate costumes, live percussion and thousands of dancers and performers competing in spectacular parades that continue well into the night.
But Carnival extends far beyond the Sambadrome. Hundreds of blocos, or street parties, fill neighbourhoods across Rio de Janeiro, each with its own music and atmosphere. Some attract huge crowds, while others are smaller local celebrations, giving you a very different experience of Carnival away from the main parade.
If Carnival is the reason for your trip, plan well ahead. Hotels and the best Sambadrome tickets can book up early, and the city is exceptionally busy. It’s worth planning which parades and blocos you want to experience rather than simply arriving and hoping to see what happens.
Planning Your Time in Rio de Janeiro
Make the Most of Your Stay
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A team of real experts, brilliant at designing bespoke holidays. Call 01273 923100 to start planning your Brazil holiday today.
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