Location: Rio de Janeiro
Top Things to do in Rio de Janeiro
What to do and see in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: The Best Places and Tips
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. Sugarloaf Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By JollyScotland - Scotland
Went as part of an organised tour but it appeared to be easy to do individually. Quite quiet when we were there but imagine it could get busy in high season. Very well organised attraction, est appreciated on a cloudless day.
2. Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Whether to attend a show or take a tour, it’s worth seeing this lavish 1909 theater, filled with gilded mirrors, statues, murals, stained-glass windows and sparkling chandeliers.
Reviewed By Shocker14 - Wichita, Kansas
A tour of this theater should not be missed. We were told that they gave the tour in English at a certain time & when we got there, they had cancelled the English tour. Fortunately, there was another tour guide there & he offered to take us & another person on an English-speaking tour. The theater is patterned after the Paris Opera House. It is beautiful. Our guide was terrific & very proud of this building. It is located in Centro & there are other buildings to see in the neighborhood.
3. Corcovado Christ the Redeemer
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By Tyler S - Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
It’s a great place to take pictures, but it is very crowded. The ticket booth opened around 7:45, but those with online vouchers got to go first. My friends started lining up around 7:15, but if you have the online voucher, you won’t have to worry about that. Still, the earlier you go in the day (I believe the first train is at 8:00) the less people you will have around you.
We took the train instead of hiking from Parque Lage because of recent robberies on the trail.
4. Botanical Garden (Jardim Botanico)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 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 Linda B - Wiltshire, United Kingdom
This botanical garden has a lot of tree’s from the rain forest. The garden is well kept and is very relaxing as well as interresting to visit. We had lunch in the restaurant just inside the gate which we enjoyed.
Can reccomend the Botanical garden as a good place to visit in Rio.
5. Arpoador beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Janie6061 - Monterey, California
Got there to see the sunset and chill. The view is beautiful however the smell of urine and the trash was so distracting that the sunset did not seem that important. The place did not feel safe either and after about 15 minutes we left wihout seeing the sunset.
6. Rodrigo de Freitas Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Primarily a recreation area for Cariocas, the 5-mile pathway circling the lake is popular for walkers, skaters, and cyclists. In the evening there may be live music, and kiosks serving drinks and food.
Reviewed By Haydn D
Great place to spend an afternoon. Lots of place to eat and drink around the lagoon. Stunning backdrop of the Mountains against the city. We hired two bikes for £3 each for an hour and cycled the 7km round.
You can even hire a pedalo for the lake if that takes your fancy.
7. Ipanema Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 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 Matt G - London, United Kingdom
Just be careful if you go swimming here, the wave can get very big and the current can really take you by surprise.
8. Maracana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
World's biggest soccer stadium
Reviewed By Ana A - Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Went to Maracanã for PC's show (wonderful, btw).
The stadium was remodeled (almost rebuilt, except for its shape) for the World Cup , but it seems like there is no maintenance.
Chairs look old. Dirty. Restrooms smell bad.
Other than this, the metro is the best way to get there.
There are food stands.
Security that day was excellent. Dont know if it is the same during other events.
9. Copacabana Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
For sunning, relaxing and people watching, join the thousands who flock each year to this lively, world-famous beach lined with shops, bars, restaurants and hotels.
Reviewed By YoungFunTravelers - Washington DC, District of Columbia
We went to the beach on a Sunday morning and left early that evening. We stayed the entire day. It was restful. We had plenty of drinks, conversation, naps and played in the water a few times. There are lots of people selling food, drinks, chairs, umbrellas — you name it. Everything you need is being offered to you on the beach. The peddlers aren’t pushy, and very kind even if you turn them down. So don’t be thrown off by them. We will be returning to the beach before our trip ends!
10. Pedra Bonita
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Miguel2770 - Lisbon, Portugal
went to pedra bonita for an hang gliding and the overall experience was amazing. pedra bonita is located nearby s. conrado and pedra da gavea, and the route towards there where you can appreciate also the house of Brazil #1 architect Oscar Niemeyer, is amazing.
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