Rio de Janeiro

Get the best view by Christ the Redeemer

635 metric tons make up this iconic soapstone statue, an ode to Christianity that attracts visitors from across the world of all faiths. The best way to reach the 700-metre peak of Tijuca Forest National Park that Christ the Redeemer sits on is by the scenic red train from Cosme Velho. But hiking or driving will yield the same result of breathtaking views of the city. So impressive is this monument it is featured on the list of New Seven Wonders of the World along with the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China, making it a reason of its own to visit Rio de Janeiro.

Party at Copacabana Beach

Long before Barry Manilow sang of music, passion and feather hair fashion, Copacabana Beach was an idyllic place that attracted a crowd. Spend a day (or 5) on the beaches of Copa, soaking up saltwater and sunshine for hours on end, interrupted only by a visit to a kiosk on the promenade for a cheeky caipirinha. By night you can take things up a level and leave the sand, dancing to samba beats until the early hours of the morning. A Rio de Janeiro beach session should be a high priority when visiting this city.

Take a cable car up to the Sugarloaf Mountain

Although Sugarloaf Mountain stands less than 400-metres above sea level, its steep surrounds make it both picturesque and frightening to visit. Though there are many singular rock formations that protrude from the earth around Rio de Janeiro’s coastlines, Sugarloaf is by far the most well-known and visited. Reach the top of the granite and quartz peak in the cable car that departs Morro da Urca, its glass walls offer unmissable views of the city.

Go on a Santa Marta Favela Tour

Visiting a poverty stricken area might not sound like much of a holiday activity, but things are not always as they seem here in Rio de Janeiro. The slums of this city are known locally as ‘the favelas,’ and account for over 20% of the population’s residential setting. In the region of Santa Marta have been transformed with coloured murals, making them a popular attraction with tourists. While some people claim a visit bridges the divide of economic inequality, others liken it to a human zoo. Either way they are an inescapable aspect of the city, and a guided tour is sure to prove educational. Sandwiched between Morro de São Bento and the Praça XV waterfront, it is easily accessible from most corners of the city.

Get lost in downtown Rio

The historical and financial epicentre of Rio de Janeiro, downtown is a must visit when in the city. Here you can find many important religious buildings to visit, including the ornate baroque São Bento Monastery, the pyramid style Metropolitan Cathedral, and the São Francisco da Penitência decorated with over a tonne of gold. Downtown is also home to the century old Municipal Theatre, the impressive Royal Portuguese Reading Room, and the Santana Park.

Visit Parque Lage

Nestled in the Jardim Botânico neighbourhood sits a cultural park of immense beauty, where a Pinterest-worthy 1920’s mansion sits as a cafe with a Visual Arts School, atrium and pool. Surrounded by subtropical forests it makes an incredible setting to waste a day amongst nature, making it one of the most leisurely things to do in Rio de Janeiro. The mansion was once used as the backdrop for a Snoop Dogg video clip, adding to the list of reasons you need to put Parque Lage on your Rio itinerary.

Carnival

With roots in the 18th century as a jovial event in which Portuguese immigrants mocked the rich, the world famous Carnival or Rio has grown astronomically since it began. Now attracting nearly a million tourists each year keen to join the some 500 street parties of January and February, attending this spectacle of colour and festivity should sit high on the bucket list.

Umbanda

The unique Umbanda religion blends the traditions of Africa with the spiritual roots of Roman Catholicism, and is followed by a mere 400,000 people in Latin America. The most prominent Umbanda festival takes place around the New Year, honouring the goddess of the sea with flowers, offerings, swims and the sending off of boats.

Brazil’s Independence Day

Marking the sacred anniversary of the 7th of September 1822, Brazil’s Independence Day transforms Rio de Janeiro into a sea of festivities. Expect fireworks, dancing, and countless Brazilian flags, in another shining example of this country’s ability to throw a party.

Day of St. Sebastian Celebrations

Every year on January 20, Catholics, Umbanda and Candomble celebrate togethering, honouring the city’s patron saint of Sebastian. Expect holy processions and people forming a sea of the colour red, in an event that highlights the deep rooted spirituality still held in this city.

June Bonfire Festivals (Festas Juninas)

Fake weddings, faux market stalls, and bonfires across the city, are just some of the spectacles that come of the June Bonfire Festivals. A folklore tradition held at the Summer Solstice in June, visitors can expect plenty of eating and dancing to accompany the unique cultural event.

Museum of Tomorrow

Step into the world of science at the Museum of Tomorrow, housed in a futuristic white building on the waterfront at Pier Maua. Uncover the mysteries of the Earth and Cosmos through various periods of time, through exhibitions housed over 15,000 square metres of space.

Museu Nacional de Belas Artes

Be dazzled by some 20,000 pieces of spectacular fine arts at Museu Nacional de Belas Artes. Featuring many important Brazilian artists and a 19,000 strong library, this museum has been attracting locals and visitors since it open its doors in 1938.

Rio Art Museum

Known locally as ‘MAR’ thanks to its Portuguese acronym, the Rio Art Museum is a gem of old and new found in the city’s port district. Two distinct buildings are joined by an iconic wavy roof that floats above, designed to represent Guanabara Bay’s calm waves. The museum’s 8 exhibition halls, along with auditoriums, classrooms, and outdoor event spaces, aim to tell the history of the city through elaborate artworks.

Catete Palace

Built by a coffee producing family in 1854 and later becoming the seat of the Federal Government, the neoclassical mansion of Catete Palace is sure to take your breath away. Over the years the building has seen many positive and poignant moments, including a suicide, the signing of war documents, and a visit from the pope. It is currently a gallery space and integral part of Rio de Janeiro travel.

Museu da Chácara do Céu

The Museu da Chácara do Céu is an art museum open in the neighbourhood of Santa Teresa since 1972. Though it houses an impressive collection of both Brazilian and European art, it’s the museum’s charming foliage covered building and sweeping vistas that see it drawing in visitors.

Brigadeiro

Beijinho de Coco

Acarajé

Moqueca de Camarão

Feijoada