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Rio de Janeiro
Golden beaches and lush mountains, samba-fueled nightlife and spectacular football matches: welcome to the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City).
Attractions
Must-see attractions
Rio de Janeiro
The Tijuca is all that's left of the Atlantic rainforest that once surrounded Rio de Janeiro. This 39-sq-km tropical-jungle preserve is an exuberant green…
Rio de Janeiro
Seen from the peak of Pão de Açúcar, Rio is undoubtedly a Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City). There are many good times to make the ascent, but sunset on…
Rio de Janeiro
A magnificent confluence of land and sea, the long, scalloped beach of Copacabana extends for some 4km, with a flurry of activity along its length: over…
Rio de Janeiro
Rio’s Maracanã stadium is hallowed ground among football lovers. The massive arena has been the site of legendary victories and crushing defeats. Maracanã…
Rio de Janeiro
Looming large over Praça Mauá, the MAR is an icon for the rebirth of Rio's once derelict port. The huge museum hosts wide-ranging exhibitions that focus…
Santa Teresa & Lapa
One of Rio's best-loved attractions, the steps leading up from Joaquim Silva became a work of art when Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón decided to cover…
Rio de Janeiro
Housed in the colonial arsenal, which dates from 1764, the impressive Museu Histórico Nacional contains relics relating to the history of Brazil from its…
Santa Teresa & Lapa
A much-photographed symbol of Lapa, the arches date back to the mid-18th century, when the structure served as an aqueduct to carry water from the Carioca…
Top picks from our travel experts
Rio de Janeiro
Seen from the peak of Pão de Açúcar, Rio is undoubtedly a Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City). There are many good times to make the ascent, but sunset on…
Rio de Janeiro
Rio’s Maracanã stadium is hallowed ground among football lovers. The massive arena has been the site of legendary victories and crushing defeats. Maracanã…
Santa Teresa & Lapa
A slice of village life in the city, this small plaza is one of Santa Teresa's most picturesque little squares. While Largo das Neves is empty by day, on…
Rio de Janeiro
The Tijuca is all that's left of the Atlantic rainforest that once surrounded Rio de Janeiro. This 39-sq-km tropical-jungle preserve is an exuberant green…
Rio de Janeiro
A magnificent confluence of land and sea, the long, scalloped beach of Copacabana extends for some 4km, with a flurry of activity along its length: over…
Santa Teresa & Lapa
The plaza named after Joaquim Fonseca Guimarães (a local resident whose house became Hotel Santa Teresa, just up the road) now forms the center of…
Rio de Janeiro
Though closed for renovations at the time of research, the small Museu do Índio features multimedia exhibitions on Brazil’s northern tribes and provides…
Rio de Janeiro
The Tijuca is all that's left of the Atlantic rainforest that once surrounded Rio de Janeiro. This 39-sq-km tropical-jungle preserve is an exuberant green…
Instituto de Pesquisa e Memória Presto Novos
Rio de Janeiro
When Mercedes Guimarães was doing construction work on her house in 1996, workers uncovered huge quantities of human fragments. After discussions with a…
Rio de Janeiro
Rio's formerly derelict port district has been reborn as a wide promenade lined with massive street art. A handful of renowned artists have painted…
Santa Teresa & Lapa
This park contains the ruins – exterior brick walls and a newly built staircase – of the mansion belonging to Brazilian heiress Laurinda Santos Lobo. Her…
Santa Teresa & Lapa
One of Rio's best-loved attractions, the steps leading up from Joaquim Silva became a work of art when Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón decided to cover…
Rio de Janeiro
This avant-garde museum is set in a 19th-century neoclassical building that originally housed the Conservatory of Music and Dramatic Arts. Today the…
Real Gabinete Português de Leitura
Rio de Janeiro
Built in the Portuguese Manueline style in 1837, the gorgeous Portuguese Reading Room houses more than 350,000 works, many dating from the 16th, 17th and…
Rio de Janeiro
The epicenter of Rio’s Carnaval, the Sambódromo was designed by Oscar Niemeyer and completed in 1984. During big parades, come here for fantastic views…
Rio de Janeiro
A magnificent confluence of land and sea, the long, scalloped beach of Copacabana extends for some 4km, with a flurry of activity along its length: over…
Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Things to Know
Leave your worries at home and embrace the Carioca way of living with these top tips from a local.
Read articleBest Neighborhoods
Rio de Janeiro is a thriving, multicultural city and this is especially evident in its distinct and unique neighborhoods. Here's our picks of the best.
Read articleDay Trips
See the wilderness-backed beaches, ancient sites and smaller-scale cities of Rio de Janeiro state on these top day trips from Rio de Janeiro.
Read articleMoney and Costs
Rio may not be the most budget friendly destination in South America, but these tips will help you make your reais go farther in the Marvelous City.
Read articleTransportation
As the second largest city in Brazil, Rio's size can be intimidating to visitors. Here's everything you need to know about getting around Rio de Janeiro.
Read articleFree Things to Do
From world-famous beaches and generous green spaces to cultural centers and museums, there's plenty to do in Rio without spending a single centavo.
Read articleTraveling with Kids
Brazil is home to a family-centric culture, and Rio de Janeiro is no exception – here's our guide to help you plan a great trip to Rio with kids.
Read articlePlan with a local
Articles
Latest stories from Rio de Janeiro
Festivals & Events
I'm going to Rio Carnaval for a third time: here’s everything you need to know for 2024Jan 16, 2024 • 7 min read
- Destination PracticalitiesAll you need to know about the best neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro
Nov 12, 2023 • 5 min read
- BeachesRio de Janeiro’s beaches now safe for swimming after decades of pollution
Oct 6, 2023 • 4 min read
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