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The Best Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro

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Top attractions in Rio de Janeiro

Copacabana Beach ©
Beach
Copacabana Beach , Rio de Janeiro
4.3
Lively Copacabana Beach features warm waters and a wide stretch of white sand, with numerous hotels, restaurants, bars, and night clubs dotti
Tours from $27
Praia de Ipanema
Beach
Praia de Ipanema , Rio de Janeiro
4.4
A long stretch of warm sand, Praia de Ipanema is divided into segments by posts ("postos," as they’re known locally), which mark diverse life
Tours from $21
Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro
Garden
Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro
4.6
Noted for its collection of over 6,500 plants from all over the globe, historic Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro also houses Brazil’s larges
Corcovado - Christ the Redeemer ©
Monument
Corcovado - Christ the Redeemer , Rio de Janeiro
4.7
An elegant 38-meter (125 ft) Art Deco statue constructed in 1931, Corcovado - Christ the Redeemer was once only accessible by climbing hundre
Pedra do Arpoador ©
Beach
Pedra do Arpoador , Rio de Janeiro
4.7
Take an evening walk to Pedra do Arpoador to see a spectacular change of colors as the sun sets over the calm ocean. This part of the coast i
Tours from $32

Recommended Rio de Janeiro tours

FROM $130 BOOK WITH VIATOR Full Day Sugar Loaf, Maracanã including Skip the Line Christ Redeemer By Train
3.9
Duration: 9 hours
Tours from $130 »
FROM $80 BOOK WITH VIATOR Full Day Complete Tour of Rio de Janeiro
4.8
Duration: 9 hours
Tours from $80 »
FROM $40 BOOK WITH VIATOR Sugar Loaf Mountain Half-Day Tour
4.2
Duration: 4 hours
Tours from $40 »
Trip Planner :  South America  /  Brazil  /  State of Rio de Janeiro  /  Rio de Janeiro  /  Things to do in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro

4.4
World heritage site · Beaches · Monuments
Bustling with samba music and all-night street parties, no city encapsulates the spirit of Brazil better than Rio de Janeiro. It's not just during the iconic Carnaval festival that this city comes to life--you can find wild parties and energetic dancing all year round. Equally known for the lush green hills and world-famous beaches that surround it, the warm city of around 12 million people sprawls across a rugged, weaving coastline. A tour of Rio de Janeiro reveals all the diversity of this "Marvelous City," where colorful old neighborhoods like Santa Teresa juxtapose with Rio's notorious "favelas," known as slums and havens for drug cartels. Whatever your fancy, you'll no doubt find plenty to keep you entertained on your Rio de Janeiro vacation. Use our Brazil trip itinerary planner to arrange your visit to Rio de Janeiro and any other destinations in Brazil that take your fancy.

Kid-friendly things to do in Rio de Janeiro

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Pedra do Arpoador ©
Beach
Pedra do Arpoador
4.7
Duration: 1 hour
Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil - CCBB Rio de Janeiro ©
Art Museum
Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil - CCBB Rio de Janeiro
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
Barra da Tijuca Beach ©
Beach
Barra da Tijuca Beach
4.6
Duration: 1h 30 min
Praia de Grumari ©
Beach
Praia de Grumari
4.7
Duration: 3 hours

Hidden gems in Rio de Janeiro

Santa Teresa ©
Neighborhood
Santa Teresa
4.1
Duration: 3 hours
Ilha Fiscal ©
Castle
Ilha Fiscal
4.6
Duration: 2 hours
Recreio dos Bandeirantes Beach ©
Beach
Recreio dos Bandeirantes Beach
4.5
Duration: 2 hours
Mirante Dona Marta ©
Observation Deck
Mirante Dona Marta
4.7
Duration: 2 hours

Historic Sites in Rio de Janeiro

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Parque Lage ©
Historic Site
Parque Lage
4.6
Duration: 1 hour
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian ©
Church
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian
4.3
Duration: 30 minutes
Jerusalem Cultural Center ©
Religious Site
Jerusalem Cultural Center
4.9
Duration: 30 minutes
Church of Our Lady of the Candelaria ©
Religious Site
Church of Our Lady of the Candelaria
4.5
Duration: 30 minutes

Museums in Rio de Janeiro

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Museu Historico do Exercito e Forte de Copacabana ©
Military Museum
Museu Historico do Exercito e Forte de Copacabana
4.6
Duration: 1 hour
Museu da Republica ©
Specialty Museum
Museu da Republica
4.6
Duration: 1h 30 min
Museu Nacional De Belas Artes ©
Specialty Museum
Museu Nacional De Belas Artes
4.5
Duration: 1h 30 min
Centro Cultural Municipal Parque das Ruinas ©
Art Gallery
Centro Cultural Municipal Parque das Ruinas
4.7
Duration: 30 minutes

Side trips from Rio de Janeiro

Imperial Museum ©
Specialty Museum
Imperial Museum
Petropolis
4.8
Duration: 1 hour
Cervejaria Bohemia ©
Brewery
Cervejaria Bohemia
Petropolis
4.5
Duration: 1h 30 min
Museu de Arte Contemporanea de Niteroi ©
Art Museum
Museu de Arte Contemporanea de Niteroi
Niteroi
4.5
Duration: 1h 30 min
Vermelha Beach ©
Beach
Vermelha Beach
Paraty
4.6
Duration: 2 hours

Featured attractions

Marapendivela ©
Boat Rental
Marapendivela
4.4
Duration: 2 hours
Favela Walking Tour ©
Walking tour
Favela Walking Tour
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min
Rio de Janeiro Tours - Day Tours ©
Private Tour
Rio de Janeiro Tours - Day Tours
5.0
Duration: 8 hours
Escadaria Selaron ©
Landmark
Escadaria Selaron
4.4
Duration: 30 minutes

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Places to visit with Rio de Janeiro

Ilha GrandeTrip planner BEST FOR: World heritage site, Beach, Water Body ParatyTrip planner BEST FOR: World heritage site, Beach, Hot Spring Armacao dos BuziosTrip planner BEST FOR: Beach, Landmark, Pier / Boardwalk Arraial do CaboTrip planner BEST FOR: Beach, Scuba / Snorkeling, Scenic Drive PetropolisTrip planner BEST FOR: Specialty Museum, Brewery, Landmark

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Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro

Corcovado - Christ the Redeemer ©
Accommodations in Rio de Janeiro cover as diverse a spectrum as the city itself. At the top end, you can find plenty of luxury hotels along the beaches of Zona Sul, the city's southern zone, which includes the renowned Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. For something to suit a budget, but with good beach access, look around the less crowded neighborhoods of Catele and Flamengo. If you want to stay as centrally as possible, without feeling like you're in a business district, look for lodgings in the colorful, bohemian neighborhood of Santa Teresa.
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