Must-see sights in Rio

Christ the Redeemer

One day is not enough to visit all the districts and attractions that Rio offers but these are in our opinion, the highlights of Rio that you should not miss when you visit this unique city.

If you are a first-time visitor, these are the activities and must-see things to see that I strongly recommend you to do:

Walk along Copacabana promenade: It was designed by Burle Max a Brazilian landscape designer and it was completed in 1970 on famous Rio de Janeiro beach. Influenced by Portuguese pavement ( Calçada Portuguesa) it is one of the nicest walks you can do in Rio. Please bear in mind that you should walk during the day and not by night since it is dangerous to walk in Rio during the evening.

Floresta da Tijuca: This is the largest urban forest in the world. You can drive through hundreds of species of plants and wildlife on your way to the Corcovado Mountain, the highest peak in Rio where Christ the Redeemer can be found. You can access by car, bus or train. The train station is called Cosme Velho and it has a cost of USD 22 or 36 reales ( round trip ). The view point is phenomenal: You can admire a complete outlook of the Guanabara Bay.

Santa Teresa Historic Neighborhood: Heading towards downtown Rio, you should visit the “Montmartre Carioca” where wealthiest families and rich Europeans built big mansions at the end of the nineteenth century. They run away from humidity and floods of the city. Back in the 1960´s there were some bad mudslides ( ring a bell? ) and families searching for safer areas, moved out and settled down near the beach. Today we find artists living in these old mansions and it became a bohemian neighborhood with many good restaurants. It is important to visit this district with a local guide or local driver since the neighborhood is surrounded by favelas and if you don´t know the area, you might get into trouble.

Paris Park and its Cathedral: In the park Praça de Paris you will find the old aqueduct named “Arcos de Lapa” where the bondhino runs. To its left, the Catedral de Sao Sebastiao is found. With its conic figure, it really stands out and it is worth a visit. If you are hungry, you should take Rua Gonçalves Dias and head towards the glamorous coffee shop: Confeitaria Colombo (tel. 021/2221-0107). This 19th-century Belle Epoque establishment is one of the most beautiful salons in all of Brazil. ( Don`t miss the passion fruit mousse: Mousse de Maracuyá ). Closed on Sundays.



Confeitaria Colombo

If you have a car you should continue your drive along the Niemeyer Avenue heading South towards the neighborhoods of Leme, Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon.

Along the coastal Avenue there are postos ( Beach Bars ) with numbers that locals as well as tourists identify very easily. Each of them has its feature: Number 10 ( in Ipanema ) belongs to the mauricinhos and patricinhas ( wealthy young people), Number 8 and 9 belong to the coloridos or colorful people (gay people ).

In Leblon, you will find La Academia da Cachaça: a bar which specializes in this alcoholic drink.
After a long and tiring day, we strongly recommend you to witness a rehearsal at the Passarela do Samba ( Sambódromo ). The rehearsals can be seen until February 27th.

If you visit Rio for the first time, you should explore these venues and special sights in Rio with a professional guide. We will help you experience the city and its treasures in a new way. It will allow you the chance to enjoy exploring many of the sights that visitors do not know are there while embracing the culture and passion of Rio de Janeiro.

Contact us and we will design a tailor made itinerary to meet your interests and expectations.