Rio de Janeiro Sights

  1. Bosque da Barra

    Covering 500,000 sq meters of salt-marsh vegetation, the park provides a refuge and breeding area for many small birds and animals. The woods have a jogging track and bicycle path.

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  2. Ilha de Paquetá

    This tropical island in the Baía de Guanabara was once a very popular tourist spot and is now frequented mostly by families from the Zona Norte. There are no cars on the island. Transport is by foot, bicycle (with literally hundreds for rent) or horse-drawn cart. There's a certain dirty, decadent charm to the colonial buildings, unassuming beaches and businesses catering to local tourism. The place gets crowded at weekends.

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  3. Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas

    One of the city's most picturesque spots, Lagoa has 7.2km of cycling/walking path around the lake. Bikes are available for hire near Parque Brigadeiro Faria Lima. There's also a helipad on the shoreline for those who want a bird's eye of the cidade maravilhosa. It may sound cheesy, but hiring a paddle boat is another way to enjoy the lake, especially when the Christmas tree is lit up across the water.

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  4. Morro do Leme

    East of Av Princesa Isabel, Morro do Leme contains an environmental protection area. The 11 hectares of Atlantic rain forest are home to numerous species of birds, such as the saddle and bishop tanagers, thrushes and the East Brazilian house wren. An hour-long tour is available by booking ahead. Tours meet at the Praça Almirante Júlio de Noronha.

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  5. Pão de Açúcar

    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.

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  7. Parque do Marapendi

    At the end of Av Sernambetiba in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, this biological reserve sets aside 700,000 sq meters for study and has a small area for leisure, with workout stations and games areas.

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  8. Parque Ecolôgico Municipal Chico Mendes

    This 400,000-sq-meter park was created in 1989 and named after the Brazilian ecological activist who was murdered for his work. The park protects the remaining sand-spit vegetation from real estate speculators. The facilities include a visitors' center and ecological trails leading to a small lake. Animals protected in the park include butterflies, lizards, tortoises and the broad-nosed caiman.

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  9. Parque Garota de Ipanema

    This small park next to the Arpoador rock features a tiny playground, a small concrete area popular with skaters and a lookout with a good view of Ipanema beach. On weekends in summer, there are occasional concerts here.

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  10. Pasmado Overlook

    Sweeping views of Enseada de Botafogo, Pão de Açúcar and Corcovado await visitors who make the journey up Pasmado. It's best reached in early morning or late afternoon, when the light is at its best for capturing the postcard panorama. Visitors will also be able to see details of a favela from above. The overlook is best reached by taxi via Rua General Severiano.

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