©Raphael Koerich/500px
Golden beaches and lush mountains, samba-fueled nightlife and spectacular football matches: welcome to the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City).
Leave the planning to a local expert
Experience the real Rio de Janeiro. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
Parque Nacional da Tijuca
Rio de Janeiro
The Tijuca is all that's left of the Atlantic rainforest that once surrounded Rio de Janeiro. This 39-sq-km tropical-jungle preserve is an exuberant green…
Pão de Açúcar
Rio de Janeiro
Seen from the peak of Pão de Açúcar, Rio is undoubtedly a Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City). There are many good times to make the ascent, but sunset on…
Copacabana Beach
Rio de Janeiro
A magnificent confluence of land and sea, the long, scalloped beach of Copacabana extends for some 4km, with a flurry of activity along its length: over…
Ipanema Beach
Ipanema & Leblon
One long stretch of sun-drenched sand, Ipanema Beach is demarcated by postos (posts), which mark off subcultures as diverse as the city itself. Posto 9,…
Cristo Redentor
Flamengo & Around
Standing atop Corcovado (which means ‘hunchback’), Cristo Redentor gazes out over Rio, a placid expression on his well-crafted face. The mountain rises…
Maracanã Football Stadium
Rio de Janeiro
Rio’s Maracanã stadium is hallowed ground among football lovers. The massive arena has been the site of legendary victories and crushing defeats. Maracanã…
Jardim Botânico
Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa
This exotic 137-hectare garden, with more than 8000 plant species, was designed by order of the Prince Regent Dom João (later to become Dom João VI) in…
Instituto Moreira Salles
Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa
This beautiful cultural center hosts impressive exhibitions, often showcasing the works of some of Brazil's best photographers and artists. The gardens,…
View more attractions
View more attractions
Attractions
Top picks from our travel experts
The 8 best things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Curated by
Ruth Ellen Davis
Pão de Açúcar
Rio de Janeiro
Seen from the peak of Pão de Açúcar, Rio is undoubtedly a Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City). There are many good times to make the ascent, but sunset on…
Maracanã Football Stadium
Rio de Janeiro
Rio’s Maracanã stadium is hallowed ground among football lovers. The massive arena has been the site of legendary victories and crushing defeats. Maracanã…
Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas
Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa
One of the city’s most picturesque spots, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas is encircled by a 7.2km walking and cycling path. Bikes are available for hire from…
Largo das Neves
Santa Teresa & Lapa
A slice of village life in the city, this small plaza is one of Santa Teresa's most picturesque little squares. While Largo das Neves is empty by day, on…
Cristo Redentor
Flamengo & Around
Standing atop Corcovado (which means ‘hunchback’), Cristo Redentor gazes out over Rio, a placid expression on his well-crafted face. The mountain rises…
Parque Nacional da Tijuca
Rio de Janeiro
The Tijuca is all that's left of the Atlantic rainforest that once surrounded Rio de Janeiro. This 39-sq-km tropical-jungle preserve is an exuberant green…
Copacabana Beach
Rio de Janeiro
A magnificent confluence of land and sea, the long, scalloped beach of Copacabana extends for some 4km, with a flurry of activity along its length: over…
Largo do Guimarães
Santa Teresa & Lapa
The plaza named after Joaquim Fonseca Guimarães (a local resident whose house became Hotel Santa Teresa, just up the road) now forms the center of…
Ipanema Beach
Ipanema & Leblon
One long stretch of sun-drenched sand, Ipanema Beach is demarcated by postos (posts), which mark off subcultures as diverse as the city itself. Posto 9,…
8 of the best free things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Curated by
Jamie Ditaranto
Museu do Índio
Rio de Janeiro
Though closed for renovations at the time of research, the small Museu do Índio features multimedia exhibitions on Brazil’s northern tribes and provides…
Parque Lage
Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa
This beautiful park lies at the base of the Floresta da Tijuca, about 1km from Jardim Botânico. It has English-style gardens, little lakes, and a mansion…
Parque Nacional da Tijuca
Rio de Janeiro
The Tijuca is all that's left of the Atlantic rainforest that once surrounded Rio de Janeiro. This 39-sq-km tropical-jungle preserve is an exuberant green…
Instituto de Pesquisa e Memória Presto Novos
Rio de Janeiro
When Mercedes Guimarães was doing construction work on her house in 1996, workers uncovered huge quantities of human fragments. After discussions with a…
Ipanema Beach
Ipanema & Leblon
One long stretch of sun-drenched sand, Ipanema Beach is demarcated by postos (posts), which mark off subcultures as diverse as the city itself. Posto 9,…
Boulevard Olímpico
Rio de Janeiro
Rio's formerly derelict port district has been reborn as a wide promenade lined with massive street art. A handful of renowned artists have painted…
Parque das Ruínas
Santa Teresa & Lapa
This park contains the ruins – exterior brick walls and a newly built staircase – of the mansion belonging to Brazilian heiress Laurinda Santos Lobo. Her…
Escadaria Selarón
Santa Teresa & Lapa
One of Rio's best-loved attractions, the steps leading up from Joaquim Silva became a work of art when Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón decided to cover…
Centro de Arte Hélio Oiticica
Rio de Janeiro
This avant-garde museum is set in a 19th-century neoclassical building that originally housed the Conservatory of Music and Dramatic Arts. Today the…
Real Gabinete Português de Leitura
Rio de Janeiro
Built in the Portuguese Manueline style in 1837, the gorgeous Portuguese Reading Room houses more than 350,000 works, many dating from the 16th, 17th and…
Sambódromo
Rio de Janeiro
The epicenter of Rio’s Carnaval, the Sambódromo was designed by Oscar Niemeyer and completed in 1984. During big parades, come here for fantastic views…
Parque do Flamengo
Flamengo & Around
Officially called Parque Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes, Parque do Flamengo was the result of a landfill project that leveled the São Antônio hill in 1965. It…
Copacabana Beach
Rio de Janeiro
A magnificent confluence of land and sea, the long, scalloped beach of Copacabana extends for some 4km, with a flurry of activity along its length: over…
Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Things to Know
Leave your worries at home and embrace the Carioca way of living with these top tips from a local.
Read article
Best Neighborhoods
Rio de Janeiro is a thriving, multicultural city and this is especially evident in its distinct and unique neighborhoods. Here's our picks of the best.
Read article
Day Trips
See the wilderness-backed beaches, ancient sites and smaller-scale cities of Rio de Janeiro state on these top day trips from Rio de Janeiro.
Read article
Money and Costs
Rio may not be the most budget friendly destination in South America, but these tips will help you make your reais go farther in the Marvelous City.
Read article
Transportation
As the second largest city in Brazil, Rio's size can be intimidating to visitors. Here's everything you need to know about getting around Rio de Janeiro.
Read article
Free Things to Do
From world-famous beaches and generous green spaces to cultural centers and museums, there's plenty to do in Rio without spending a single centavo.
Read article
Traveling with Kids
Brazil is home to a family-centric culture, and Rio de Janeiro is no exception – here's our guide to help you plan a great trip to Rio with kids.
Read article
Plan with a local
Articles
Latest stories from Rio de Janeiro
Read more articles
Festivals & Events
I'm going to Rio Carnaval for a third time: here’s everything you need to know for 2024
Jan 16, 2024 • 7 min read
The world’s largest street party changed my life. As I visit for a third time, here is everything you need to know to make sense of Carnaval 2024.
Activities
8 of the best free things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Dec 2, 2023 • 8 min read
Budget Travel
How to visit Rio de Janeiro on a budget
Nov 13, 2023 • 6 min read
Destination Practicalities
All you need to know about the best neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro
Nov 12, 2023 • 5 min read
Family Travel
Top things to do in Rio de Janeiro with kids
Nov 10, 2023 • 5 min read
Destination Practicalities
5 things only Rio de Janeiro locals know
Nov 10, 2023 • 4 min read
Destination Practicalities
The best time of year to visit Rio de Janeiro
Nov 8, 2023 • 4 min read
Beaches
Rio de Janeiro’s beaches now safe for swimming after decades of pollution
Oct 6, 2023 • 4 min read
Activities
The 8 best things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Oct 2, 2023 • 5 min read
Public Transport
The 5 best day trips from Rio de Janeiro
Sep 30, 2023 • 5 min read
Read more articles
in partnership with getyourguide
Book popular activities in Rio de Janeiro
Guidebooks
Purchase our award-winning guidebooks
Get to the heart of Rio de Janeiro with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.
