RJ · Brazil
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
These are the mountains just above Rio de Janeiro, where the imperial family escaped the heat and left behind palaces, neo-Gothic cathedrals and streets of mansions that are now museums. In a few hours you trade air conditioning for a fireplace, eat fondue at a mountain pousada (inn) and wake up to the jagged Serra dos Órgãos in your window. It is also one of the birthplaces of Brazilian mountaineering, with the Dedo de Deus, the Pedra do Sino and the Petrópolis-Teresópolis traverse.
This destination brings together 7 cities: Petrópolis, Teresópolis, Nova Friburgo, Guapimirim, Cachoeiras de Macacu, São José do Vale do Rio Preto, Sumidouro.
A look at the place
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One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Petrópolis is a mountain town shaped by imperial history and the Atlantic Forest. Walks through the historic center can be combined with cultural visits and outings in the mountains.
Teresópolis sits beside the mountains of the Serra dos Órgãos and is a base for exploring the Atlantic Forest. A stay combines nature walks with outings through its neighborhoods and mountain flavors.
Nova Friburgo combines city life and rural districts among Atlantic Forest mountains. You can explore the immigrants' heritage and head out for walks and meals in the mountain villages.
Guapimirim stretches from the mangroves of Guanabara Bay to the slopes of the Serra dos Órgãos. It is a place to hike trails and explore the river landscapes in the Atlantic Forest.
Cachoeiras de Macacu lies at the foot of the mountains, in a region of rivers and vast areas of Atlantic Forest. Outdoor outings can be combined with discovering its rural historic heritage.
São José do Vale do Rio Preto is laid out between the river and the rural landscapes of the Rio de Janeiro mountains. Country roads let you discover rural life and traces of local history.
Sumidouro has rural landscapes marked by granite outcrops and waterfalls. A visit can combine taking in the Cascata Conde d'Eu (waterfall) with trips along the country roads.
The local experience
In the district of Boca do Mato, inside the Parque Estadual dos Três Picos (state park), it is the town's main postcard sight, with a drop of about 60 meters. The trail passes pools such as Pocinho and Furna da Onça before reaching the waterfall.
Discover Cachoeira das Sete Quedas
Formed by the Rio Paquequer, it is considered the tallest free-falling waterfall in the state, with an estimated height of 127 to 160 meters. Access is by a dirt road and an easy trail of less than 2 kilometers.
A protected area created in 2005 in the Serra do Capim, with high-altitude grasslands rich in bromeliads and orchids and a summit of almost 1,200 meters. From the top, on clear days, you can see the Dedo de Deus and other mountains of the Serra dos Órgãos.
Discover Monumento Natural da Pedra das Flores
Housed in Dom Pedro II's former summer palace, it holds hundreds of thousands of items from the imperial period, including the emperor's crown. Visitors walk through the halls in felt slippers to protect the original floors.
The main attraction at the town's headquarters of the Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos, it is a series of waterfalls, rapids and pools on the Rio Soberbo. It is about a 20-minute walk from the visitor center and popular for swimming.
Built in 1713 beside the old road that climbed the mountains, it has been listed as a state heritage site since 1989. The small colonial chapel is within the Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos and still holds religious services.
Discover Capela de Nossa Senhora da Conceição do Soberbo
A neo-Gothic cathedral about 70 meters tall, built over almost a century. It houses the Imperial Mausoleum, with the tombs of Dom Pedro II and Empress Teresa Cristina.
Discover Catedral de São Pedro de Alcântara
Opened in 1886 on the railroad branch line that served the region, closed in 1947, it is the only station on that line still standing. Restored by the community, it now houses a municipal office and serves as a cultural space.
Discover Estação Ferroviária Águas Claras
At the Jequitibá headquarters of the Parque Estadual dos Três Picos, a 400-meter interpretive trail leads to a thousand-year-old jequitibá-rosa tree. The tree is about 40 meters tall and 19 meters around at the base.
Discover Jequitibá-Rosa do Parque dos Três Picos
A formation of two large rocks about 30 meters tall that create a kind of gateway at the entrance to town. It is considered the local postcard sight and has easy trails nearby.
Housed in a restored 19th-century mansion, it honors the German naturalist Carl von Martius, author of Flora Brasiliensis. It has a permanent photo exhibit, a scale model of the park and botanical collections.
Discover Centro de Visitantes Museu von Martius
A cast-iron and glass pavilion assembled in 1884 for horticultural exhibitions, ordered from France and now used for cultural events. It is one of the city's most recognizable images.
Created in 2009, it protects about 4,400 hectares of Atlantic Forest and the headwaters of the Piabanha, Preto and Paquequer rivers. The Pedra da Tartaruga area, the park's symbol, gives access to trails, viewpoints and climbing areas.
Discover Parque Natural Municipal Montanhas de Teresópolis
At 2,257 meters, it is one of the highest points of the Serra do Mar, and its summit is reached by a staircase of 632 steps. From the top you can see the mountains of the region and vast areas of Atlantic Forest.
A private reserve recognized by Inea, it brings together preserved forests and restored wetlands with the Serra dos Órgãos in the background. It is a top spot for birdwatching and offers marked trails and guided walks.
Discover Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (Regua)
Nine large stone pillars still stand from the railroad viaduct opened in 1888 on the Leopoldina branch line that linked the region to Nova Friburgo. The lone columns on top of a small hill are one of the most photographed scenes in the municipality.
Located in the Boa Vista area, it has a drop of about 12 meters and a natural pool of roughly 200 square meters. Its cold, crystal-clear water makes it one of the most popular waterfalls in town.
Discover Cachoeira do Tenebroso
A small summer house designed by the inventor himself in 1918, which he nicknamed A Encantada, full of eccentric touches such as the staircase with alternating steps. It holds personal belongings and an observatory on the terrace.
Discover Casa de Santos Dumont
Started around 1973 on Praça Higino da Silveira, in the Alto neighborhood, it brings together hundreds of vendors on weekends and holidays. Products include clothing from small manufacturers, wood and bamboo crafts, sweets and regional food.
A calm-water pool beside the ruins of a bridge on an old royal road, at the headquarters of the Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos. Access is easy, with parking a few meters away.
A formation of three great granite peaks in the district of Salinas, whose Pico Maior, at 2,316 meters, is the highest point of the Parque Estadual dos Três Picos. It has more than a hundred climbing routes and trails through high-altitude grasslands.
Discover Três Picos de Salinas
In the Fazendinha neighborhood, it offers an aerial view of the urban area surrounded by the mountains of the Serra dos Órgãos, the Parque dos Três Picos and the municipal park. The site has a paragliding launch ramp.
A viewpoint on the Rio-Teresópolis road with a head-on view of the Dedo de Deus (God's Finger), the granite peak pointing at the sky that became a symbol of the state. On clear days the view reaches Guanabara Bay.
Discover Mirante do Soberbo e Dedo de Deus
Built in 1944 to be the largest casino in Latin America, it lost its purpose two years later, when gambling was banned in the country. Today it hosts exhibitions and events, and the lake in front is shaped like the map of Brazil.
A rock formation about 100 meters tall whose profile looks like a sitting dog, in the group of caves and boulders known as Furnas do Catete. A trail of about 1 kilometer, with rustic bridges and stairs, leads to the viewpoints.
The oldest brewery in Brazil, from 1853, turned into a beer museum in the factory's historic building. The tour covers the history and the brewing process and ends with a tasting.
A protected area created in 1939 with about 200 kilometers of trails, natural pools and climbing walls. The Pedra do Sino, at 2,275 meters, is the highest point in the range and the classic destination for hikers who sleep at the shelter to watch the sunrise.
Discover Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos e Pedra do Sino
A half-timbered house built by the first German immigrants around 1847 and opened as a museum in 1976. It tells the daily life of the settlers who built the city, before the imperial period it became known for.
A cable car that climbs the Morro da Cruz and delivers a 360-degree view of the city nestled among mountains. At the top there is a viewpoint, a chapel and short trails.
Discover Teleférico do Morro da Cruz
A rural district with dozens of waterfalls, river pools with natural slides, rafting and good country cooking. Together with neighboring São Pedro da Serra, it is the heart of ecotourism in Nova Friburgo.
A fourteen-meter monument with a statue of Our Lady of Fátima, on a hilltop a few minutes from downtown. It is worth it for the open view of the historic center and the surrounding mountains.
A clothing shopping street since 1916, known for knitwear sold at factory prices. There are hundreds of shops along a gentle slope, busy all year round.
More than forty thousand square meters of Atlantic Forest with a lake, pedal boats, a playground and a picnic area. It is the place for an afternoon with no plans, in the middle of the mountains.
A district about fifteen kilometers from downtown, home to many restaurants, shops and pousadas. It is usually the base for people looking for the more rural, quieter side of the mountains.
Your base to explore
Where you stay is part of the trip. Choose the area that best fits your itinerary.
A retreat in the middle of nature in Corrêas, on the way between downtown Petrópolis and Itaipava.
A Swiss-inspired resort made up of three connected hotels, Village, Magique and Fazenda Suíça, on an all-inclusive basis. It caters to families looking for leisure, with an indoor amusement park, and to corporate event groups.
A hotel and spa in an Atlantic Forest area at 850 m of altitude, in the district of Lumiar, with chalets, a heated pool and an organic restaurant. It suits couples and families looking for rest near waterfalls.
A pousada in Soledade, in Sumidouro, with suites with fireplaces and porches with hammocks, a pool, a trail and a restaurant.
A pousada on Estrada da Barreira, at the foot of the Serra dos Órgãos, with suites for couples and families, a pool and access to a waterfall. It suits travelers who want a quiet base near the climb to Teresópolis.
The lodge of the Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu, which protects more than 9,000 hectares of Atlantic Forest, with 10 rooms on a full-board basis and a natural history library. It caters to birdwatchers and nature lovers.
A hotel in two listed mansions on Avenida Koeler, the older one from 1875. It suits travelers who want to be within walking distance of the Museu Imperial and the historic circuit.
A farm hotel with 12 chalets on 500,000 m² in Amparo, with its own French-Swiss restaurant and an organic vegetable garden. It suits travelers who want fondue and raclette without leaving the property, in a rural setting.
A hotel in a 19th-century mansion on a historic farm in Sumidouro, with a petting farm, a trail and waterfall swimming. Pets are allowed.
A hotel on Rua Washington Luiz, in downtown Cachoeiras de Macacu, near the bus station. It is a practical base for visiting the town's waterfalls and trails or for a stopover on the way to the mountains.
A pousada in Caneca Fina with suites with whirlpool tubs, a space for meditation and yoga and spa services. It suits travelers who want rest in nature, about 80 km from Rio de Janeiro.
A small pousada at the top of a slope facing the Museu Imperial, with views of the mountains and downtown. It allows pets and is a few minutes' walk from the downtown sights.
A lodging with two suites in a forested area on Estrada da Barreira, in Guapimirim, near a river with a swimming spot. Recommended for couples and anyone looking for peace and quiet in nature.
A small hotel in a 1940s mansion on the former Fazenda Marambaia, with gardens designed by Burle Marx. Recommended for travelers who plan their trips around food and want trails and a vegetable garden at the same address.
A rural pousada on a farm in Gleba Nova Ribeira, in Cachoeiras de Macacu, surrounded by mountains and forest, with French cooking for guests and horseback riding. Good for couples looking for peace and quiet.
A business hotel on Rua Augusto Cardoso, downtown, with four categories of suites, a gym and parking with electric car charging. It suits business travelers and anyone who wants to stay near the city's shops.
A pousada on Estrada do Arakem, next to the Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos and a few minutes from the Feirinha do Alto. It has a pool and a game area and suits travelers who want to stay near the park's trails.
A seven-room pousada in Granja Guarani, in Teresópolis, 2 km from the entrance to the Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos. It has an outdoor pool and breakfast.
A hotel on Praça do Suspiro, in downtown Nova Friburgo, with a pool and suites with whirlpool tubs. It has accessible rooms and parking.
A small inn with just a few suites in Vale Florido, best known for its restaurant and wine cellar. For travelers who want peace and quiet on the mountain road and make food the reason for the trip.
A country property for groups in Jardim Paraíso, in Guapimirim, with 13 bedrooms for up to 60 people, pools and an Atlantic Forest river.
A ten-suite pousada in Vila Indiana, in Boca do Mato, on the edge of the Parque Estadual dos Três Picos, facing the river and near a waterfall.
A hotel in the Alto neighborhood of Teresópolis, near Villa Sankt Gallen and Granja Comary, with an elevator and accessibility features. It allows one small pet per room.
A 15-room hotel in Mury, in Nova Friburgo, with electric fireplaces and heating and air conditioning in the rooms.
A 32-suite hotel in Parque Santa Luzia, in Cachoeiras de Macacu, 200 m from the RJ-116, with a rooftop pool.
Independent chalets scattered through the forest, far apart from one another, one of them raised above the ground. Made for couples and travelers who prioritize seclusion and a fireplace.
A hotel in the Atlantic Forest, at km 76 of the RJ-116, in Nova Friburgo, with pools, a sauna, sports courts and mini golf, within walking distance of the lingerie shopping hub.
An Intercity chain hotel in the Agriões neighborhood of Teresópolis, 200 m from city hall and 4 km from the Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos. It has a restaurant and accessible rooms.
A pousada on large grounds on Estrada Correia da Veiga, with a pool, sports courts, a sauna and its own restaurant. Good for families and groups who want to stay near the small center of Itaipava.
A farm hotel in Vieira, at km 36 of the Teresópolis-Friburgo road, with pools, a petting farm and recreation activities. It has suites and a chalet for families of up to six.
A hotel in downtown Nova Friburgo, on Rua Adolfo Lautz, with air-conditioned suites. It allows one pet per room.
Individual chalets at the foot of the Pedra Maria Comprida, in a large area of Atlantic Forest with its own trail. For travelers who want to hike and see wildlife, a few minutes from Itaipava.
A hotel in São Pedro da Serra, a district of Nova Friburgo, surrounded by Atlantic Forest, with suites, chalets and the Saveur restaurant.
Lodging on a working farm, with horseback riding, cheese and eggs produced on site, pools and a sports court. The rural side of the municipality, near Cachoeira de Secretário.
A boutique hotel in Parque Imbuí, in Teresópolis, in the middle of the Atlantic Forest, with a pool, a heated jacuzzi, a sauna and trails. Pets are allowed.
A Sesc complex with rooms, suites, houses and a chalet in the middle of the forest, with pools, sports courts, a theater and cultural programming. For families who want organized leisure away from downtown.
A 60-room hotel in Córrego D'Antas, 5 km from downtown Nova Friburgo, with heated pools, a petting farm and a dinosaur park for kids.
A small pousada at Sítio Pinati, on Estrada da Gruta, in Parque Imbuí, Teresópolis, with breakfast included.
A pousada in Alto, Teresópolis, 750 m from the Feirinha do Alto, with 20 rooms, 12 chalets and pools. It allows one small pet per room.
A Sesc hotel on Rua Cândido Portinari, in Teresópolis, with 86 rooms on a full-board basis, a sauna and recreation activities.
Kastel Petrópolis is in the historic center of Petrópolis. It has Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen, a sauna and an accessible room option.
Kastel Itaipava is in the heart of Itaipava, inside Arcádia Mall, in Petrópolis. It has Wi-Fi and air conditioning.
Kastel Pedra Bonita is at Fazenda Inglesa, in Petrópolis. It has Wi-Fi, air conditioning and a restaurant; whirlpool tubs and fireplaces in selected categories; a private pool in the Villa.
Siramat Hotel is in the mountains of Petrópolis, at 1,000 m of altitude. It has Wi-Fi, air conditioning and a minibar; bathtubs in the Presidential, Master and Premium rooms.
Flavors of the destination
A German restaurant founded in 1978 in Cônego, one of the city's dining hubs, which also brews craft beer. It serves dishes and snacks to pair with the house beers.
A churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse) opened in 1961 by Spanish immigrants on Rua do Imperador, which keeps its founding recipes and methods. It has been recognized by municipal law as part of Petrópolis's culinary heritage.
A restaurant serving food from Minas Gerais by the BR-116, on the climb into the mountains before Teresópolis, with a panoramic view of the Dedo de Deus. It is for travelers stopping on the road who want a meal with a mountain view.
A Russian restaurant opened in 1964 by immigrant couple Miguel and Irene, with a czarist-style multi-course menu, from cold starters and borscht to stroganoff. It keeps its original recipes and works by reservation.
A restaurant serving grilled and barbecued meats on the RJ-116 highway, next to the Posto Trevo gas station, in downtown Cachoeiras de Macacu. It is a handy stop on the way up the mountains to Nova Friburgo.
A Swiss-German restaurant in Mury, in an Alpine-style building, with fondues, raclette and rösti. It has a list of more than a hundred beers and caters to people touring the Mury dining circuit.
An Italian-inspired restaurant in a mansion on Avenida Ipiranga, in the historic center. It is a few steps from the walking circuit.
A churrascaria by the RJ-116 highway, in Cachoeiras de Macacu, with grilled meats and fish dishes too. It serves families and travelers on their way to the mountains.
A farm-style restaurant with a buffet of home cooking. It has a playground, animals and parking, and caters to families with children.
The Cervejaria Therezópolis complex, set in a German-style village, with a beer garden, German cuisine, a trattoria and a fondue house. It is for those who want to eat and take the guided tour of the brewing process.
A restaurant and trout farm in the Três Picos area that raises its own rainbow trout, with support from Fiperj. It is for anyone who wants fresh trout in dishes such as grilled fillet and pirão (fish broth thickened with cassava flour), right by the breeding tank.
A riverside bar and restaurant in the district of Boca do Mato, in Cachoeiras de Macacu, on Rua José Ribamar Perdigão Ramos. It is known for seafood, such as shrimp in coconut and fried fish steaks, and welcomes families and groups.
It occupies the former stables of an 1879 mansion and offers a wine list, imported cold cuts and regional products. It is the location with the most complete menu of the business, which has been around since 1997.
The restaurant at Fazenda Genève, a goat farm that makes French-style goat cheeses, run by chef and cheesemaker Reinaldo Pires. It is for anyone who wants lunch in the countryside and a look at the cheese dairy and the little farm.
A self-service buffet of home cooking made on a wood-fired stove, with meats, salads and desserts. It is by the Rio–Teresópolis highway, in downtown Guapimirim, and serves families and travelers passing through.
It blends the idea of a French brasserie with original Brazilian cooking, serving its own beers on tasting boards. It is on the road up the mountains, with a view of the valley.
Chef Silvio Bastos's restaurant on the Estrada União e Indústria, across from the Parque de Exposições. It has live music and its own accessibility project.
A restaurant on a dirt road in the Vale das Videiras that works with regional ingredients in contemporary dishes. The barn also has a shop with local products and bike rentals.
A rustic dining room surrounded by forest, with a porch overlooking the valley. The menu ranges from grilled heart of palm to pork tenderloin with risotto.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
It is about an hour and a half from Galeão International Airport, via the BR-040 for Petrópolis and the BR-116 (Rio-Teresópolis) for Teresópolis and Nova Friburgo.
From May to August, when the mountain chill sets the mood for fireplaces, fondues and food festivals, and the dry weather is good for mountain trails.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
