Must-see attractions in Rio de Janeiro

  • Casa de Benjamin Constant

    Santa Teresa & Lapa

    This tranquil estate served as the residence of one of Brazil's most influential politicians in the founding of the young republic. Benjamin Constant …

  • Elevador do Morro do Cantagalo

    Ipanema & Leblon

    Connected to the metro station off Praça General Osório, this elevator whisks passengers up to Cantagalo, a favela that's wedged between Ipanema and…

  • Largo do Boticário

    Flamengo & Around

    The brightly painted houses on this picturesque plaza date from the early 19th century. Largo do Boticário was named in honor of the Portuguese gentleman …

  • Passeio Público

    Rio de Janeiro

    The oldest park in Rio, the Passeio Público was built in 1783 by Mestre Valentim, a famous Brazilian sculptor, who designed it after Lisbon's botanical…

  • Travessa do Comércio

    Rio de Janeiro

    Beautiful two-story colonial town houses line this narrow cobblestone street leading off Praça XV (Quinze) de Novembro. The archway (Arco de Teles)…

  • Praça Floriano

    Rio de Janeiro

    The heart of modern Rio, the Praça Floriano (known to cariocas simply as Cinelândia) comes to life at lunchtime and after work when its outdoor cafes fill…

  • Basílica da Penha

    Rio de Janeiro

    Rio’s most dramatically set church, in a 17th-century double-steepled confection, offers dramatic 360-degree views from its clifftop perch. A renovated…

  • CADEG

    Rio de Janeiro

    While CADEG doesn’t have quite the same ring to it as ‘Ipanema Beach,’ this voluminous market packs a treasure trove of fruits, vegetables, meats, fish,…

  • Campo de Santana

    Rio de Janeiro

    Campo de Santana is a pleasant green space that, on September 7, 1822, was the scene of the proclamation of Brazil's independence from Portugal by Emperor…

  • Centro Cultural Justiça Federal

    Rio de Janeiro

    The stately building overlooking the Praça Floriano served as the headquarters of the Supremo Tribunal Federal (Supreme Court) from 1909 to 1960…

  • Forte Duque de Caxias

    Rio de Janeiro

    More commonly known as Forte do Leme, this military base is open to the public. Visitors can walk to the top of Morro do Leme (Leme Mountain) along a…

  • Parque Ecológico Chico Mendes

    Rio de Janeiro

    This 40-hectare park was created in 1989 and named after the Brazilian ecological activist who was murdered for his work. The park protects the remaining…

  • Colônia dos Pescadores

    Rio de Janeiro

    At the southern end of Copacabana Beach you'll see fishing folk at work, if you go early enough, mending lines and hauling in the catch. There's a small…

  • Bosque da Barra

    Rio de Janeiro

    Covering 50 hectares of salt-marsh vegetation, this park is a refuge and breeding area for many small birds and animals, and you might spy capybaras,…

  • Casa França-Brasil

    Rio de Janeiro

    In a neoclassical building dating from 1820, the Casa França-Brasil sponsors small-scale exhibitions that often deal with political and cultural facets of…

  • Museu de Arte Sacra

    Santa Teresa & Lapa

    This small museum in the basement of the Catedral Metropolitana contains some exquisite carvings by Mestre Valentim and a number of historical items. Don…

  • Marina da Glória

    Flamengo & Around

    Rio's beautifully sited marina saw a makeover in preparation for the 2016 Olympics – where it served as the venue for sailing events. Half a dozen…

  • Centro Cultural Correios

    Rio de Janeiro

    In a grand edifice dating from the 1920s, this cultural center houses three spacious floors that host a creative lineup of changing exhibitions, mostly…

  • Retrato Espaço Cultural

    Santa Teresa & Lapa

    Opened by a photographer in 2017, this new cultural space features a dynamic lineup of still-image and videography exhibitions, film screenings,…

  • Parque do Catete

    Flamengo & Around

    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…

  • Museu Casa de Rui Barbosa

    Rio de Janeiro

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

  • Parque Garota de Ipanema

    Ipanema & Leblon

    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…

  • Museu Amsterdam Sauer

    Ipanema & Leblon

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

  • Praia de Diabo

    Rio de Janeiro

    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…

  • Museu Naval

    Rio de Janeiro

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

  • Arco de Teles

    Rio de Janeiro

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

  • RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 04:  Work continues at Olympic Park in preparation for the 2016 Olympic Games on July 4, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

    Parque Olímpico

    Rio de Janeiro

    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…

  • Museu da Imagem e Som

    Rio de Janeiro

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

  • Praça XV (Quinze) de Novembro

    Rio de Janeiro

    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…

  • Rio Zoo

    Rio de Janeiro

    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…

  • Cidade do Samba

    Rio de Janeiro

    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…

  • Mirante do Pasmado

    Rio de Janeiro

    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…

  • Museu Villa-Lobos

    Rio de Janeiro

    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…

  • Centro Carioca de Design

    Rio de Janeiro

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

  • Ponte Rio-Niterói

    Rio de Janeiro

    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,…

  • Instituto Antônio Carlos Jobim

    Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa

    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…

  • Palácio das Laranjeiras

    Flamengo & Around

    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…

  • Teatro Popular

    Rio de Janeiro

    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…

  • Museu do Meio Ambiente

    Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa

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

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