Must see attractions in Rio de Janeiro

This small landscaped park on the grounds of the Palácio do Catete provides a quiet refuge from the city. Its pond and shade-covered walks are popular…

The former mansion of famous Brazilian journalist and diplomat Rui Barbosa is now a museum housing his library and personal belongings. Barbosa played a…

This small park next to Ponta do Arpoador features a tiny playground, a concrete area popular with skaters, and a lookout with a view of Ipanema Beach. On…

On the most upscale street in Ipanema, the Amsterdam Sauer Museum houses an impressive collection of precious stones: more than 3000 items in all…

This tiny hidden beach is located between Copacabana and Ipanema. Reach it by heading to the rocky outcropping of Arpoador and turning left. You'll see it…

Chronicling the history of the Brazilian navy from the 16th century to the present, this museum also has exhibitions of model warships, maps and…

The archway leading into Travessa do Comércio was once part of an old viaduct running between two buildings.

This was the epicenter of the 2016 Summer Olympics and the Paralympic Games. Sadly, the facilities now sit largely abandoned and are not open to the…

If work on this new museum is ever complete, Copacabana will finally have an outstanding rainy-day attraction. The building, designed by celebrated New…

The first residents on this historic site were Carmelite fathers who built a convent here in 1590. It later came under the property of the Portuguese…

Covering over 12 hectares, the zoo at Quinta da Boa Vista has a wide variety of reptiles, mammals and birds, mostly indigenous to Brazil. Special…

Located north of Centro, near the port, Samba City is actually made up of 14 large buildings where the top Rio schools assemble their Carnaval floats. It…

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…

Housed in a century-old building, this modest museum is dedicated to the memory of Brazil’s greatest classical composer and founder of the Brazilian…

In a historic building overlooking Praça Tiradentes, this multifloor cultural space showcases a changing array of exhibitions relating to design, urbanism…

The Ponte Rio-Niterói (Ponte Presidente Costa e Silva) offers spectacular views of Baía de Guanabara. The bridge is 15.5km long, 60m high and 26.6m wide,…

Bossa nova legend Tom Jobim was a big admirer of the botanical gardens. This Jardim Botânico was created as a memorial to him in 2008. A small museum…

The state governor's residence (closed to the public) is in Parque Guinle. The palace overlooks the west side of the park and is partially hidden by a…

This striking theater, designed by famed architect Oscar Niemeyer, lies just a short distance from the ferry terminal in Niterói. It hosts a line-up of…

Situated just outside the entrance to the Jardim Botânico, the Museu do Meio Ambiente houses temporary exhibits with an environmental focus.