Location: Rio de Janeiro
Top Things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Things to do in Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro (RJ): The Best Sights & Landmarks
With its plentiful beaches, dramatic mountains, and backdrop of samba and bossa nova rhythms, it's easy to fall in love with Rio de Janeiro. Made famous in song, Ipanema Beach is still the place to stroll, sunbathe, and be seen. The largest Art Deco statue in the world, Christ the Redeemer, beckons visitors to Corcovado Mountain. Rio’s annual Carnaval celebrations are bacchanalian extravaganzas of feasting, music, dance, and costumed revelry.
Restaurants in Rio de Janeiro
1. Jerusalem Cultural Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 773 reviews
The cultural center jerusalem is a site that houses the first-century jerusalem model d. C. An incredible place for anyone who wants to learn about the history of Israel and Jewish culture.
Reviewed By JackMillerTrek - Czech Republic, null
A tour of ancient Jerusalem, a well-designed model, rich in detail and having your own very friendly and knowledgeable local guide to history, this place is worth visiting, it exudes incredible peace and learning.
2. Pedra Bonita
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,743 reviews
Reviewed By 210canae
This was my first time hang gliding, and I could not think of a better location to have done it! Between the views the adrenaline, I cannot describe how amazing this experience was. Well worth the money! As a first time jumper, I was admittedly overrun with adrenaline, but Ricardo was very professional, calm, and clear in his instructions. This made the experience smooth and free of any issues. Highly recommend you check this off your bucket list, if you make it down to Rio.
3. Sugarloaf Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55,956 reviews
One of the most beautiful attractions in Rio de Janeiro and one of the most famous in Brazil. Our mission is to take people to an enchantment, fun and entertainment journey – providing happy and unforgettable experiences as well as valuing Brazilian culture. We constantly invest in safety, comfort and innovative technologies. Our locations constitute natural, geological, historical, and touristic landmarks in the city of Rio de Janeiro. As a natural landmark, it reminds us of our reference to the sailors who come to Guanabara Bay. As a geological landmark, it reminds us of our geological site precisely dating the history of our planet. We also talk about historical landmark because on March 1, 1565, Estacio de Sa founded the City of Sao Sebastiao in Rio de Janeiro literally on its feet. And, finally, touristic landmark because the Cable Car opened on Sugarloaf projected Brazil’s name worldwide. It has been the first cable car installed in Brazil and the third in the world.
Reviewed By myom624 - Coquitlam, Canada
A different vantage point from the top of Corcovado with more land views than water views (or water seen past land), the top of this so-called 'Sugar Loaf' is actually kind of an "opposite nature" with more views of water than land from its two viewing areas (each of which kind of double-decked): one area facing north with a great wide view of Guanabara Bay & the "long bridge" at some distance straight ahead and from which there's also a view of a good-sized portion of the city (with a pretty nice skyline actually in a big sprawling area of modern high-rises) to the left & across the water with also some nice-looking beaches on that side; and another area facing south with the "open sea" & really quite a phenomenal view of the "entire length" of Copacabana Beach from the hill of Forte Duque de Caxias just shortly from this mountain to Forte de Copacabana on the other end about 3 km away (which is actually what to me was the "most worthwhile" view from this mountain top). I would just say a bit on the downside though is "not much" of ground to walk around up here, but yes there's Morro da Urca shortly below (just about a 5-minute cable car ride away which you have to come through to get up to this mountain top) which is "like a small park" for a nice walk around with also some old cable cars displayed outdoors, a small building with some cable car machinery on display, a small forest trail on a raised platform or such & yes the same views as from above (except for that of Copacabana to the south which cannot be seen from this "lower top") but actually kind of better I would say when it comes to some views such as that of the high-rises to the west across the water & that of the boats in the water also to the west (quite a number of those pleasure vessels to see actually!). And also, pretty nice for browsing and enjoying time up here (on the tops of both Sugarloaf & Morro da Urca) are some nice souvenir shops & restaurants & even a gemstone shop with beautiful sculptures of birds & such made of those stones (quite pricey ones though). And with no metro station close by, one way to not have to spend too much for taxi getting here is by taking the metro to Botafogo Station (both Lines 1 & 2) where you can take a cab outside for just a short ride of 5 to 10 minutes to the cable car station on the bottom of Morro da Urca where you start your "two-part" cable car ride (each just for about 5 minutes) first to the top of Morro da Urca then all the way up to the top of this mountain (which yes resembles a loaf of sugar but a "green one").
4. Sitio Roberto Burle Marx
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 402 reviews
The 100-acre home of Brazil’s celebrated landscape designer reveals over 3,500 plant species, his collection of folk and other art, and whimsical touches throughout.
Reviewed By bealight - Houston, United States
The place is beautiful! Out guide was excellent! What a Renaissance man he was. It has motivated and inspired me to be so much more creative in my own life. The tours are scheduled, and a guide is required, so check the times and plan the day.
5. Centro Cultural Municipal Parque das Ruinas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,260 reviews
Reviewed By FoodiEbeLovesTravel - London, United Kingdom
The old house felt like a living storybook, the interior designs are a great mix of old tasteful bricks & glasshouse & greens, love it! You cant miss it if you are at Santa Teresa!
6. Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil - CCBB Rio de Janeiro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,635 reviews
The CCBB is a cultural center that consists of exhibition rooms, three theaters, a library, cinema, and a video room. It is housed in an art deco style building located in what used to be the financial district of Rio de Janeiro.
Reviewed By JodoRio
Amazing neoclassic building, great exhibitions, theater, cinema, nice facilities and a wonderful library on the fifth floor.This is a very important and complete cultural center.There is a small café and a book store.
7. Parque Lage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,662 reviews
Reviewed By vanwilder_za - Cape Town, South Africa
One of the best places to have a morning brunch with a "wow" view when in Rio de Janeiro. Other places I can think of is Confeitaria Colombo in Copacabana, Hotel Fasano and Copacabana Palace, to name just a few. What makes this place so unique is its really old architecture with Tijuca forrest, Corcovado mountain and Cristo Redento as a backdrop. Food (breakfast options) is exquisite and you definitely feel like you're rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. Speaking of which, the place has been made famous by Pharrell Williams and Snoop Dogg as its where they recorded their famous no1 hit, Beautiful.
8. Sao Bento Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,600 reviews
Gregorian chants are performed on Sundays at this Benedictine complex, which was completed in 1641 and contains a spectacular church altar.
Reviewed By CJW913 - De Pere, United States
Benedictine monks from Bahia founded the Sao Bento Monastery in 1590, which is located in the hills of Sao Bento. Built between 1617 and 1641, the simple white exterior of the building reflects the simplicity of the time, but gives no hint of the opulence of the gilded Baroque interior. Stepping inside, and seeing the carvings, paintings, statues, and gilding literally takes your breath away. It is such a sensory overload that my brain could not take it all in! This is by far one of the most splendorous church interiors that I have ever seen--and I have seen many while visiting 140 countries. A number of the works on display were carved by one of the monks, Frei Domingos da Conceicao (1643-1718), including the main altar, and the statues of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica. One needs more time than my husband were given on our private tour of Rio to take in all the riches of this abbey church.
9. Leblon Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,679 reviews
Reviewed By kapaniris - Athens, Greece
This is maybe the best beach in Rio, amazing people, wonderful bars, breathtaking with superb beach volley fields !!
10. Maracana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13,070 reviews
World's biggest soccer stadium
Reviewed By SamuelPugh25 - Newport, United Kingdom
Fantastic stadium! Felt lucky to have had the opportunity to visit such and iconic stadium and would recommend to the football fans!
