BEST THINGS TO DO IN RIO DE JANEIRO
Rio de Janiero is an absolute must-visit destination on any trip to Brazil – it gets such international praise and recognition and for absolutely good reason. Rio de Janeiro is easily one of my favourite cities in the entire world! The city is filled with vibrant culture, tropical beauty, and the best beaches you will ever experience. There is a reason I just keep going back to it.
These are some of the most iconic destinations and the absolute best things to do in Rio de Janeiro!
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SOAK UP THE SUN AT THE BEST BEACHES IN THE ENTIRE WORLD
There are tons of beautiful beaches all over the world with gorgeous white sand or crystal clear waters, but genuinely, there is absolutely nothing like spending a hot, sunny day at a Rio beach! Brazilians KNOW how to enjoy the beach which is why they are by far my favourite beaches in the world.
Whatever you want or need will be there on the beaches of Rio. Hundreds of baracas are ready to set you up with chairs and umbrellas. Vendors are walking up and down the beach with snacks like grilled cheese, shrimp skewers, ice-cold acai, empanadas and so much more. If you want an outfit change, you can buy a new bikini or a fresh sarong. There are people playing beach football along the shore. On the beaches of Rio, there is no shortage of activity or energy, and yet you can still have such a relaxing day.
Whether you’re a Girl from Ipanema or want to spend the day At the Copa, Copacabana a day at the beach is without a doubt the very best thing to do in Rio de Janeiro.
IPANEMA BEACH
IMO you simply can’t beat Ipanema Beach – there is just something about this beach that speaks to my soul. Maybe I’m the girl??
Ipanema is expansive and always full of energy. You arguably have the most stunning views of any beach in Rio with Dois Irmaos mountain rising to the West.
After a full day at the beach, you can head into the Ipanema neighbourhood and have a delicious meal at any of the chic dining options nearby. My favourites include the buzzy Bar Magnólia, Ferro e Farinha or Boteco Belmonte or Gringo Cafe for a classic brunch.
COPACABANA BEACH
Copacabana is iconic. The massive crescent beach always draws a crowd whether it is on the gorgeous stretch of sand or up along the wavy mosaic promenade. Day or night you can join locals and tourists at the beachside kiosks, sipping on a caipirinha, and enjoy the lively atmosphere around you.
URCA BEACH Vermelha
This little beach tucked right next to the base of Sugarloaf Mountain is small (only 300m) but mighty! With much calmer waters than the rest of Rio’s beaches and the perfect view of Sugarloaf, it is so picturesque, intimate, and inviting! Like at the rest of Rio de Janeiro’s beaches, you can hire an umbrella and chairs, or get an ice-cold coconut to sip on while you enjoy the view.
- Bring your bathing suit with you when you visit Sugarloaf Mountain so that you can take a refreshing dip in the ocean after. Best thing ever.
Barra da Tijuca
Stretching out along 18 kilometres of coastline is Rio de Janeiro’s longest beach. It delivers on the gorgeous white sand and refreshing surf but is a more laid-back escape to the busy beaches in the Zona Sul if you’re looking for your own slice of paradise. While you’re in Barra da Tijuca be sure to hit up a hip Beach Club for a different vibe than the coconut kiosks.
Leblon
Separated from Ipanema by the Alah Canal is the upscale neighbourhood and beach of Leblon. You’d almost not know the difference between the two while at the shore, but Leblon is another wonderful neighbourhood to base yourself in with designer shopping at Rio Design and Shopping Leblon and nice dining along Dias Ferreira Street.
Drink from a fresh coconut at the Mirante do Leblon
When you’ve finished your day at Leblon Beach make sure to head up the road at the end of the beach to the Leblon Lookout. Enjoy an ice-cold coconut from one of the kiosks!
The lookout is only 2 minutes up the road from the end of the beach and is free to visit if you don’t want to get a drink or snack. From the elevated viewpoint, you can see out along the shoreline of Leblon and Ipanema, all the way out to Arpoador Rock. You might also spot a surfer catching a few waves or a fisherman catching a few fish.
Enjoy breakfast at the Forte de Copacabana
A perfect way to start your day is to get breakfast at the Copacabana Fort. The fort is situated on a rocky headland at the start of Copacabana beach so as you sip on your coffee you get to enjoy the views of the colourful umbrellas filling up the crescent beach as it stretches out towards Sugarloaf Mountain.
Entrance to the fort costs R $10 and once you are inside you can put your name on the waitlist at either Confeitaria Colombo or Café 18 do Forte, and wander around the Historical Army Museum until your table is ready.
watch the sunset at arpoador rock
One of the best spots to watch the sunset in Rio de Janeiro is from Arpoador Rock. The massive rock juts out into the sea right at the very end of Ipanema Beach and is a perfect spot for tourists and locals alike to gather along the rock to watch the sky turn beautiful shades of orange and pink.
The waves at Arpoador are also some of the best to surf in all of Rio, so you’ll also get to enjoy watching the surfers catch the good swells.
check off a world wonder at Christ the Redeemer
Looking down over the city from the top of Corcovado Mountain is the 98-foot-tall, 92-foot-wide Art Deco statue of Jesus. The Christ the Redeemer statue is one of the incredible Seven Wonders of the World and to fully grasp the scale of this statue you absolutely have to see it in person.
Not only do you get to check off a World Wonder, but at the top of Corcovado Mountain (710 m peak), you also get stunning panoramic views of the entire city below you.
This is one of the most popular things to do in Rio de Janeiro so I encourage you to book your tickets online in advance and plan to start your day early to be on one of the first trams up the mountain. There is not a huge amount of space on the platform at the top so as the day gets on it just gets busier and busier. I find it most enjoyable with fewer crowds, in the fresh morning air.
Book Christ the Redeemer Tickets
Walk down the 215 Steps at the Escadaria Selarón
The Selarón Steps (or Lapa Steps) are the iconic tile-covered steps that run from Lapa up to the Santa Teresa neighbourhood. Artist Jorge Selarón created a piece of living art in the community by decorating the steps with Brazilian motifs and beautiful colours.
My favourite way to see the Steps is by first taking the yellow tram up to Santa Teresa, exploring the neighbourhood, and then making your way down to Lapa via the Selarón Steps.
Take in the views on Pão de Açúcar
Another one of the most popular things to do in Rio de Janeiro is to take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain. The mountain is actually two – you take the first cable car up Morro da Urca and then board a second one to get to the true summit.
On both levels, you will have stunning sea and city views stretching in all directions and a few dining and souvenir options.
One of the best times to be atop Sugarloaf is around sunset to catch the golden hour and last rays of light before night sets in. It is gorgeous but can be busy. Throughout the rest of the day, however, you don’t feel the crowds too much – there is enough space to be able to get the photos you want without having to queue and wander freely.
While you’re up Sugarloaf Mountain, be sure to watch for the darling little black-tufted marmosets scuttering around.
If you’re wondering, do I need to go to both Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer? the answer is heck yes – the views and experience atop both attractions are so different and you would be missing out on one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro if you skipped one or the other!
Book your cable car tickets
- Bring your bathing suit with you when you visit Sugarloaf Mountain so that you can take a refreshing dip in the ocean after. Best thing ever.
explore the artsy neighbourhood of santa teresa
The artsy hilltop neighbourhood of Santa Teresa is known as a home to several fashion designers and artist studios, as well as a number of cafes and bars.
You could easily take an Uber or taxi up to Santa Teresa, but the best way to get there is to ride the yellow tram across the Carioca Aqueduct and through the winding Santa Teresa streets. I recommend riding the tram all the way through until it turns around to wind its way back to the main terminus, and then get off at the central Largo dos Guimarães stop.
Once you’ve explored the neighbourhood head towards the top of the Selarón Steps and walk down them to get back to Lapa, instead of trying to catch the tram back. This is the best way to see everything in the area.
Get lost in the botanical garden
With the tall palm trees lining the beaches, or the rich green leaves shading every city street – it is hard to miss that Rio de Janeiro is a tropical city. One of the best places to see all the tropical fauna and flora is in the Botanical Garden. Keep an eye out for an elusive toucan and the nearly kilometre of path lined by 134 of the tallest palm trees I’ve ever seen in my life.
experience the nightlife in lapa
The historic bars and samba clubs in the Lapa neighbourhood come alive at night with a vibrancy and energy that is quintessentially Brazilian. The crowds gather for street parties, dancing, music and good times in Lapa.
Some of the best bars in Lapa are Boteco da Garrafa, Carioca da Gema, and Bar da Cachaça Original.
Take the Tram over the arcos do lapa
You could easily take an Uber or taxi up to Santa Teresa, but the best way to get there is to ride the historical yellow tram across the Carioca Aqueduct and through the winding Santa Teresa streets.
I recommend riding the tram all the way through until it turns around to wind its way back to the main terminus, and then get off at the Largo dos Guimarães stop to explore the Santa Teresa Neighbourhood. Once you’ve explored the neighbourhood head towards the top of the Selarón Steps and walk down them to get back to Lapa to check out the Arcos de Lapa from the ground.
dance the samba
The Dancing! The Drums! The Dazzle! Samba is at the rhythmic heart of Brazilian culture so one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro without a doubt is watching a samba show or visiting a samba school in rehearsal. Or better yet, go to Rio for Canaval and dance the night away at the Sambadrome watching performances by the best samba schools in the world!
watch a futbol match
Get into the energy of a football match at the iconic Maracanã stadium, or just on the big screen at a boteco with the locals. Brazil has won the World Cup more than any other team in the entire world, so you know that any football game will be the real deal there.
BTW – my team in the league is Botafogo, so don your black and white and cheer for them!
buy yourself a pair of havaianas flipflops
If you want to feel like a real carioca (a local from Rio de Janeiro) you absolutely have to buy yourself a pair of the sandals that are a staple in all Brazilian’s wardrobe! Havaianas have been around since 1962 and are now some of the most iconic flip-flops available.
They’re a fun, practical souvenir for yourself (just buy them for yourself at the start of your trip so you can wear them to the beach) and they make a great gift for friends or family back home.
Granado / FARM Rio
Shop around the Sunday Hippie Market
Taking place every Sunday, in General Osório Square, is the popular Hippie Market. Have a wander around the market admiring all the stalls with beautiful, handmade artistic goodies. Buy yourself a one-of-a-kind souvenir from a local artist, designer, or jeweller.
hike in tijuca national park
Breathe in the wet, hot tropical rainforest air while on one of the trails in Tijuca National Park. Tijuca is one of the largest urban forests in the world, with plenty of unique hiking trails to get your sweat on. Some of the most popular hiking routes in the park are Corcovado (to Christ the Redeemer), Pedra de Gavea, and Parrot’s Beak. The trails are well-maintained and range from easy to challenging, depending on the route.
If you are keen to go hiking while in Rio de Janeiro, some of the best hikes in the city are technically outside of Tijuca’s boundaries, including my favourite hike up Dois Irmãos, or the famous Telegraph Stone.
I have a whole guide to hiking Dois Irmãos with all the details you need to know before you go. Make sure to check it out if you plan on hiking in Rio. If you can only do one hike while on your trip, let it be that one!
try all the local foods
I always say one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro is eat! I adore Brazilian food and there are so many delicious, unique local dishes that you just can’t replicate abroad. While you’re in Rio you absolutely have to try the barbecued meat from a good churrascaria, some pão de quejo (cheese bread), a traditional feijoada, and my favourite coxinhas (crispy croquette filled with chicken). As well as this you have to get a REAL acai bowl – the superfood is in its purest state in Brazil and you can taste the difference. For dessert get yourself a little sprinkle-covered brigadeiro (chocolate ganache truffle).
GLOBO
Wash it all down with a Guarana Antarctica (a soft drink made with a fruit from the Amazon rainforest).
Grab a drink at one of the beach kiosks
The beaches in Rio are all lined with open-air beach kiosks and clubs that are the perfect place to wrap up your day in the sun. The kiosks along Copacabana in particular turn the energy up after dark with incredible live Bosanova music. Grab a caipirinha, the most iconic Brazilian cocktail made with sugarcane liquor, and watch as the sun goes down and the tunes turn up!
learn about rio's favela's on a guided tour
Book a guided favela tour with get your guide / Viator
bike along the waterfront promenade
The iconic black-and-white tile mosaics of Copacabana and Ipanema are the perfect backdrop for a nice long bike ride. You can bike all the way from the far end of Leblon, to the opposite end of Copacabana. Renting a bike is easy with their city bike system connected to Uber.
If you wish to extend your bike ride you can add a few kilometres by going around the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon.
stroll around the lagoa
The Lagoa is a picturesque lagoon tucked behind the Ipanema neighbourhood. With a 7km walking and cycling path, a few lakeside cafes, and swan boats for rent, the lagoon is a great place to spend an afternoon.
Be sure to take a quick detour up a block from the lagoon to have a fresh coffee and pastry at The Slow Bakery.
Go paragliding over the city
When I was a teenager I somehow convinced my mother to let me go paragliding for my 16th birthday… It was a little nerve-wracking leaping off the side of a mountain strapped to a guy who didn’t speak a ton of English but my goodness was it ever fun! My mum doesn’t know how in the world I convinced her to let me do that, and nor do I because if I tried to tell her I was going to do that now 15 years later she would say I am not allowed.
Good thing you can do what you want because paragliding over the glistening water, the packed beaches and the tropical rainforest is one of the most unforgettable things to do in Rio de Janeiro!
pick up some souvenirs at the copacabana night market
Set up nightly (except Sundays) along Avenida Atlantica between Sa Ferreira Road and Bolivar Road, is the Copacabana night market. Here you can pick up a large variety of souvenirs, bags, clothing, and more. Although you can still get some nice handmade things, the wares here are generally less unique than at the artistic hippie market.
Have a taste of old world elegance at Confeitaria Colombo
The stunning Confeteria Colombo was established over a century ago in 1894 and is a must visit in Rio de Janeiro. Grab yourself a coffee and a delicious pastry and have a taste of the old world elegance.
There is an outpost of Confeteria Colombo at the Forte de Copacabana, but the old world beauty can only be found at the original location in downtown Rio. Definitely worth the trip to the centre.
Happy trip planning!
From one traveller to another, I hope this guide to the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro was helpful for you as you make your plans and set out on your next adventure!
If you read through this guide and still have questions about the experience or have other questions… fear not because I can still help! I have a personalized trip planning and advice service available to all Everywhere Travel Club readers. I’d love to chat for an hour with you and help answer any questions you’re working through, share fun ideas, and help bring your big trip into reality! For more info about the one one-on-one call for advice check out the details of my Personalized Travel Planning Sesh.
Let me know what you think about this guide or if it helped you – I’d love to hear from you! You can find me everywhere on the Everywhere Travel Club Instagram, TikTok or Twitter!