Location: Rio de Janeiro
Top Things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Top 10 Things to do in Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
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. 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.
2. 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").
3. Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21,828 reviews
Two 800-yard-long rows of towering royal palm trees are a highlight of this massive garden containing thousands of plants and trees, including every variety of palm tree imaginable.
Reviewed By lizlubee - Newburyport, United States
After spending time at the top of Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer), with their attendant hoards of visitors, we enjoyed the calm oasis of Jardim Botanico. In addition to the large and diverse variety of trees and plants we also saw several small family groups of Slaty-breasted Wood-rails, a couple of Rufous Hermits, several Green-headed Tanagers, and a roving band of Channel-billed Toucans. It can be quite hot and humid so visiting early and late in the day is best, but there are spots to shelter from the sun in a cafe, or sitting beside the pond. They also have a nice gift shop.
4. Ipanema Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18,967 reviews
Popularized by the song "The Girl from Ipanema," this world-famous beach gives foreign visitors a sense of life in Rio, displaying a cross-section of different lifestyles, chic boutiques and eateries and luxurious apartment buildings.
Reviewed By vonvoyageButterfly - Sao Paulo, Brazil
There are lots of selling drinks caipirinha , coconut,there's a lots of people so extra careful of your belongings, and yes the beach so beautiful to swim ???? just big waves ???? beautiful beach indeed ????
5. 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!
6. Corcovado - Christ the Redeemer
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64,954 reviews
In the top of the City is installed Christ the redeemer the most wanted touristic sides of Brazil and Rio de Janeiro. Biggest and most famous scripture Art Deco of the world, the Christ statue started to be planned in 1921 and it was developed by the engineer Heitor da Silva Costa over 6 years of job, from 1925 to 1931, the opening year of the monument. Located at Parque Nacional da Tijuca, 710 meter above the sea level, where anybody can appreciate one of the most beautiful views of the city. Over all 220 steps that lead to the famous statue feet, it was elected one of the Seven Wonders of the World made by formal voting in 2007 by the Swiss Institution New 7 Wonders Foundation. The monument is accessible by train, van or car. To get into the monument, there’s a nice ride by train that, during 20 minutes, it crosses Mata Atlantica until Corcovado’s top. The internet connection up there is good fre wi-fi and is a very safe place and LGBT friendly.
Reviewed By travelfoxYork
Don’t care wether the weathers good or bad you can’t come to Rio and not do this excursion- usually part of a multi experience ie Sugar Loaf - to stand there and see this magnificent sculpture with absolutely stunning views is breathtaking You can visit the small chapel at the bottom or just take in the views - selfies are obligatory mind-
7. Morro da Urca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,286 reviews
This is the first hill up on the way to Rio's famous Sugar Loaf. It offers it's own marvelous view from the top (215 meters) but its base is also a good place for hiking.
Reviewed By TSARBERGO - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
God, what a beautiful place !!! There could be no other expression to say what we feel when we visit Morro da Urca, located in the Marvelous City of Rio de Janeiro. You know that URCA means - Urbanization Carioca. This has to do with the Engineering and Earthmoving and Urbanization Company that at the time carried out with the residues of the Morro do Castelo deforestation, in which much of that removed soil was taken and placed there surrounding the sugar loaf and Morro daurca. It really is very beautiful, different and one of the most complementary views of the Sugar Loaf. (In time: it is called Pão de Sçucar because in the years of colonization, the sugar was dark - not refined - and it was packed in containers that when uninformed, let him with that same drawing of the Urca Stone. an enormous and huge basalt located at the entrance of the Guanabara Bay, an impressive natural view that exists in Rio de Janeiro and is recognized anywhere in the world.It draws attention to the details and intelligence of the engineering work that demonstrates how much human ingenuity can perform It is one of the most beautiful postcards in the world and I am sure you will remember this testimony when you visit it.Go, visit, photograph, walk, breathe and feel the unique landscape of this place.And from above, shout out loud: Long live Mother Nature !!!
8. Mirante Dona Marta
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,774 reviews
Reviewed By JackMillerTrek - Czech Republic, null
Balcony with a spectacular view of the city, it is on the way to Corcovado, you can go through it, the advantage is that it is free and you do not have to pay any entrance fee. Ideal to see the sunset. You can go by bus to a part and then walk up or directly in a taxi. The view is incredible and the time to enjoy the place is half an hour to an hour.
9. Barra da Tijuca Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,066 reviews
Reviewed By vonvoyageButterfly - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Another sides of beach in diode janitor barra tijuca is far from Copacabana beach the area is where also all Americans park and luxury malls
10. Museu do Amanha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,211 reviews
The Museum of Tomorrow is a new kind of Science museum. Here you are invited to examine the past, understand today's global trends and envision possible scenarios for the next 50 years through immersive audiovisual environments, interactive installations and games available to public in Portuguese, English and Spanish. The museum has areas dedicated to temporary exhibitions, an auditorium for events, an inviting café, a restaurant and a museum shop. The museum also has three specific areas of programming: Education, Laboratory of Tomorrow and the Observatory of Tomorrow.
Reviewed By Alampe23 - London, United Kingdom
Really thought provoking museum with powerful and emotive messages on sustainability and climate change. The exhibits were mostly visual and interactive, appealing to a wide audience as well as having portuguese, spanish and english text. I only hope the electricity to power the museum is from sustainable sources! A must see in Rio even if the weather is good! On Tuesday's tickets are free and if you're a student you get entry for 10r (about £2).
