Top 10 Unforgettable Things To Do In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Are you looking for the top attractions that aren’t just lying on the beach? Come find some of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro!
I had a great time in the city, walking around, and soaking up some sun on the beach with a fresh caipirinha in hand. At one point, I wanted to get moving and see some of the famous landmarks and attractions in Rio, so let me show you a few of them and why they’re worth visiting on your next trip to Rio de Janeiro.
1. Christ The Redeemer
This towering statue atop Corcovado Mountain is not only stunning to see but is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. When you come to Rio de Janeiro, you might ask yourself how to find it, but it is hard to miss atop the mountain, especially at night when it is colorfully lit on all sides.
There are several ways to get to the Christ the Redeemer including by train which departs from Cosme Velho station. If you’d like to visit by car, you can make your way up to Corcovado train station to then take a brief ride to the top. Some visitors choose to hike up the mountain, sometimes alongside the train tracks to reach the top, but be careful of the frequently passing train.
At the top, you’ll be met with a few restaurants, gift shops, and of course some amazing views of Rio de Janeiro. Be sure to check around the back of the monument to see St. Joseph’s Altar. Before your visit, ensure you check on the weather, as the top of the mountain can be quite foggy if the weather is less permitting that day.
2. Sugarloaf
The Sugarloaf is a mountain along the coast of Rio de Janeiro that sports some great views of the city shoreline. While it is possible to hike and rock climb up the mountains, on my trip I opted to simply take the cable cars to the top. The best way to access the cable cars that take you up the mountains is to take an Uber to the Bondinho Pao de Acucar in Urca where you can purchase tickets. Sunrise and sunset are popular times to visit Sugarloaf but be warned, you’ll need to show up much earlier than you might expect to get the golden views you seek, as the lines for the cable cars will be very long.
When you get to the summit, there are many amenities available, including restaurants, shops, bars, and of course toilet facilities. Depending on the season, live music will also be available on one of the two mountains. While tours are available that will take you through many parts of the city and end in Sugarloaf, I wholly recommend spending more than just an hour or two here to make sure you get the most out of your experience, so grab a drink, perhaps a bite to eat, and enjoy the views.
3. Jardim Botanical Garden
If you like nature or want to take a nice walk somewhere other than the beach, Jardim Botanico, Rio de Janeiro’s world-famous botanical garden might be the place for you. You may have already seen pictures of the garden in the form of the two very long rows of royal palm trees that line one of the paths. Originally founded to acclimatize different spices for the King of Portugal, the garden has since become an important research area for scientists. Along with many kinds of plants, various fountains, and pristinely kept grounds, visitors will discover over 100 different species of birds that inhabit the garden. Consider taking a leisurely morning walk here if you have nothing else planned.
4. Fort Copacabana
At the southernmost end of Copacabana where Ipanema starts, Fort Copacabana can be found and explored. While the fort is no longer used today, it has since been turned into an Army History Museum, which for a small fee, can be explored.
In addition to the museum and decommissioned artillery batteries, the compound contains many excellent restaurants with both inside and outside seating available. From the fort, visitors will have a great view of Copacabana Beach. If you’d like to have brunch here like I did, make sure you get here early so you can secure some prime outdoor seating.
5. Brazilian BBQ
You certainly can’t come to Rio de Janeiro, or Brazil for that matter, without trying some authentic Brazilian BBQ. Maybe you’ve been to Fogo de Chao or Texas de Brazil, but nothing beats the real deal.
If you’re unfamiliar with Brazilian BBQ places, you will be seated at a table and order your drinks before circling around a buffet stand with various sides like salad, pasta, bread, etc. Afterward, the cooks will come and slowly pass around your table and offer to dish out or slice off various pieces and varieties of meat right onto your plate.
Make sure you don’t have too much of one thing, or you’ll get too full before you try a taste of everything! If you’re in Rio de Janeiro and have never tried this experience before, make sure you stop at one of these BBQ places before you leave.
6. Tijuca National Park
If you want to get outside and go for a hike in the woods, Tijuca National Park is a great place to do it. The park is flush with trees, streams, waterfalls, hiking trails, bridges, and more. While it might not be the Amazon Rainforest, if you only have a short time in Brazil, this will be your next best option.
Keep an eye out for some good deals on tours through different companies in the area, as many of them offer guided hiking tours to go see the forest and its waterfalls. Don’t stop with only hiking in the park, try booking a tour that will take you off-road in a Jeep to save time getting to some of the best spots, including Vista Chinesa, which offers some amazing scenic views.
7. Escadaria Selaron
You’ve probably seen the Selaron Steps, partly made famous by Snoop Dog or U2’s visit here, but they are much more than just some pretty tiles. The artist, Jorge Selaron, wanted to renovate parts of the steps near his home that were falling apart. Having little money, he began sourcing cheap materials to decorate the steps. Since then, people have sent tiles from all over the world, and the staircase is filled with colorful tiles of all sorts.
There are a total of 215 steps, all of which, including the walls on either side, are completely covered. The staircase can be found in the Lapa neighborhood and is packed with people, especially during tourist season. If you’re passing by, certainly stop by for a photo, but be mindful that people do line up all the way down the alley to take photos on the steps.
8. Cathedral of Saint Sebastian
The Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, also known as the New Cathedral, is a cone-shaped church in the downtown area of Rio de Janeiro. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of the city. On the inside, the ceiling is extremely tall, and the walls are decorated with stained glass from the bottom to the top of the four entrances.
Despite the size and how prone sound is to permeate through the inside, when no services are in session the cathedral is very calm and quiet. Below the structure, and accessible from the inside, visitors will find the Sacred Art Museum containing various artwork, sculptures, murals, and more.
Before entering the cathedral, make sure to take a close look at some of the statues outside the entrance. A notable statue of interest is the replica of a statue gifted to Pope Francis in 2016, called “Jesus without a roof.”
9. Boat Tours
If you’ve had enough of the local beaches around Rio de Janeiro, try taking a boat tour for some less crowded water fun. Not far from Rio de Janeiro, there are great spots to swim, snorkel, or lay on the beach. Two popular and beautiful locations people often choose to take a day trip to are Ilha Grande, a large island west of Rio de Janeiro, and Angra dos Reis. Organized tours usually depart for a 14-16 hour day, and plenty of companies are available for pickup and drop-off in Ipanema, Leblon, and Copacabana.
10. Carnival
Carnival is an event that occurs in either February or March of each year before Lent, consisting of various parades, parties, dancing, and music. Rio de Janeiro has one of the most famous Carnival festivities in the world, and if you’re in Rio de Janeiro during this time of year, you’re in for a real treat. The city will come alive with people dancing, drinking, feasting, and you’ll get to enjoy various parades.
During this time, people make a grand and proud display of their Brazilian heritage, particularly regarding the city’s samba schools. Throughout Carnival, the city’s samba school will compete in the Sambadrome in elaborate costumes and outfits, culminating in the highly anticipated final parade at the end of the celebration period. If you want to get tickets for the Sambadrome, get them early before prices jump. Make sure not to miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime city-wide celebration.
Thanks for Reading!
Thank you for checking out this list of some of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!
If you would like to get notified of more posts like this one or want to support this blog, please consider joining the newsletter!
