Pão de Açúcar

Lonely Planet review

One of Rio's dazzling icons, Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf) offers a vision of Rio at its most disarming. Following a steep ascent up the mountain, you'll be rewarded with superb views of Rio's gorgeous shoreline, and the city planted among the green peaks. For prime views of the cidade maravilhosa, go around sunset on a clear day.

Everyone must go to Pão de Açúcar, but if you can, avoid it from about 10:00 to 11:00 and 14:00 to 15:00 , which is when most tourist buses arrive. Avoid cloudy days as well.

To reach the summit, 395m above Rio and the Baía de Guanabara, you take two cable cars. The first ascends 215m to Morro da Urca. From here, you can see Baía de Guanabara and along the winding coastline. On the ocean side of the mountain is Praia Vermelha, in a small, calm bay. Morro da Urca has a restaurant, souvenir shops, a playground, outdoor theater and a helipad.

The second cable car goes up to Pão de Açúcar. At the top, the city unfolds beneath you, with Corcovado mountain and Cristo Redentor off to the west, and the long curve of Copacabana beach to the south. If the breathtaking heights unsteady you, a drink stand is on hand to serve caipirinhas or cups of Skol (beer). The two-stage cable cars depart every 30 minutes.

Those who'd rather take the long way to the summit should sign up with one of the granite-hugging climbing tours offered by various outfits in Rio.