Grande Rio

Rio de Janeiro


Located northwest of Ilha do Governador, Grande Rio has been crowned parade champions only once (in 1992) but has lots of devoted followers, especially in its home suburb of Duque de Caxias.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Rio de Janeiro attractions

1. Basílica da Penha

4.24 MILES

Rio’s most dramatically set church, in a 17th-century double-steepled confection, offers dramatic 360-degree views from its clifftop perch. A renovated…

2. CADEG

8.49 MILES

While CADEG doesn’t have quite the same ring to it as ‘Ipanema Beach,’ this voluminous market packs a treasure trove of fruits, vegetables, meats, fish,…

3. Rio Zoo

9.25 MILES

Covering over 12 hectares, the zoo at Quinta da Boa Vista has a wide variety of reptiles, mammals and birds, mostly indigenous to Brazil. Special…

4. Feira Nordestina

9.25 MILES

This enormous fair (32,000 sq meters, with over 600 stalls) is not to be missed. It showcases the culture of the Northeast of Brazil, with barracas (food…

5. Quinta da Boa Vista

9.65 MILES

Quinta da Boa Vista was the estate of the Portuguese imperial family until the Republic was proclaimed. Today it’s a large and busy park with gardens and…

6. Maracanã Football Stadium

9.71 MILES

Rio’s Maracanã stadium is hallowed ground among football lovers. The massive arena has been the site of legendary victories and crushing defeats. Maracanã…

7. Cidade do Samba

10.12 MILES

Located north of Centro, near the port, Samba City is actually made up of 14 large buildings where the top Rio schools assemble their Carnaval floats. It…

8. Fábrica Bhering

10.14 MILES

Inaugurated in 1880, Fábrica Bhering was the first chocolate factory in Brazil. It is now a stunning multistory, multipurpose art space and cultural…