Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Top places to visit in Rio de Janeiro
6 places worth your time in Rio de Janeiro, with what each is actually like and when to go.
Last updated 2026-08-08
1. Christ the Redeemer
Photo: Pete Souza · Public domain · source
Thirty metres of art deco soapstone on the Corcovado summit, reached by cog train through the forest.
- Map: Open in Maps
- Best time: Early morning for clear air; cloud covers the summit often
- Tip: Book the train slot online. Cloudy days give you nothing at the top.
2. Sugarloaf Mountain
Photo: Breogan67 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Two cable car stages to a granite monolith over the harbour mouth.
- Map: Open in Maps
- Best time: Late afternoon, staying through sunset
3. Copacabana and Ipanema
Photo: Breogan67 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Four kilometres of mosaic promenade and the beach as the city's main public space.
- Map: Open in Maps
- Tip: Take only what you can lose. Beach robbery is common and phones are the target.
Watch outBeach vendors sometimes present a much larger bill than the price agreed, particularly for drinks bought in rounds.
4. Santa Teresa
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Ruela~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 2.5 · source
A hillside of colonial mansions and studios, connected by a restored yellow tram and the Selarón steps.
5. Tijuca National Park
Photo: Halley Pacheco de Oliveira · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
The largest urban rainforest in the world, with waterfalls and trails inside the city limits.
6. Museu do Amanhã
Photo: Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil · CC BY 3.0 br · source
Calatrava's museum of tomorrow on the redeveloped port waterfront, on science and sustainability.
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