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
This is the city where the rainforest runs down the mountains to the sea, and almost every neighborhood looks out on a postcard view. From the top of Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain you see Baía de Guanabara (Guanabara Bay); down below, Copacabana, Ipanema and Arpoador turn the beach into the city's backyard. Between one viewpoint and the next you can fit in the Floresta da Tijuca (Tijuca Forest), the Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden), the historic center and the samba circles of Lapa.
This destination brings together 1 city: Rio de Janeiro.
A look at the place
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
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One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
The local experience
Unveiled in 1931 on top of Corcovado, at 710 meters above sea level, the 30-meter statue spreads its arms over the city. In 2007 it was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and it stands inside the Parque Nacional da Tijuca (Tijuca National Park).
The cable car, opened in 1912, was the first in Brazil and links Praia Vermelha to Morro da Urca and the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, at 396 meters. From the top you can see Baía de Guanabara, Copacabana and Christ the Redeemer.
With about 4 kilometers of sand between Leme and the Forte de Copacabana (Copacabana Fort), it is one of the best-known urban beaches in the world. The boardwalk, with its black-and-white Portuguese stone wave pattern redesigned by Burle Marx, runs along the entire waterfront.
It stretches from Arpoador to Jardim de Alah, with Morro Dois Irmãos framing the landscape in the background. It gained international fame with the song The Girl from Ipanema, from 1962, and the sunset seen from Pedra do Arpoador (rock) is one of the most admired on the waterfront.
Opened in 1950 for the World Cup, it hosted the finals of the 1950 and 2014 World Cups and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympic Games. The stadium offers guided tours of the locker rooms, the stands and the edge of the pitch.
Founded in 1808 by Prince Regent João, it gathers thousands of plant species in an area at the foot of Corcovado. The avenue of royal palms, the orchid house, the bromeliad house and the giant water lily pond are among the best-known spots.
Discover Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro
Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and opened in 2015 on Píer Mauá, it is a science museum focused on sustainability and possible futures. It is part of the revitalization of the port area, next to Praça Mauá and Baía de Guanabara.
Your base to explore
Where you stay is part of the trip. Choose the area that best fits your itinerary.
A hotel opened in 1923 on Avenida Atlântica, with a white facade designed by Joseph Gire and restaurants recognized by the Michelin Guide. It suits those who want to stay in a historic landmark on the Copacabana waterfront.
A 44-room hotel in Santa Teresa that blends colonial and modern style, with furniture by Sergio Rodrigues, a spa and a pool. It suits those who prefer the bohemian neighborhood of old mansions and art studios to the beachfront.
A 49-room hotel at the start of Ipanema, next to Pedra do Arpoador, in a modernist building renovated by the firm Bernardes Arquitetura. It suits those who want to stay facing the sea between Copacabana and Ipanema.
Fasano Rio de Janeiro is on the Ipanema waterfront, in Rio de Janeiro. It has breakfast; infinity pool; spa; gym; Gero Rio restaurant; pool bar; electric vehicle charging.
Emiliano Rio is on Copacabana beach, facing the sea, in Rio de Janeiro. It has air conditioning; Emile restaurant; Santapele spa.
Arena Copacabana Hotel is on the Copacabana waterfront, with a rooftop overlooking the sea, in Rio de Janeiro. It has the Otaviano restaurant.
Arena Leme Hotel is on Leme beach, with sea views from selected rooms, in Rio de Janeiro. It has the Otaviano restaurant.
Arena Ipanema Hotel is in the Ipanema neighborhood, in Rio de Janeiro. It has the Otaviano restaurant.
Laghetto Stilo Barra faces the sea, in Rio de Janeiro. It has breakfast; pool; Wi-Fi; spa; gym; restaurant; paid parking; pet-friendly; kids' area.
Petit Rio Hotel is in the Catete neighborhood, in Rio de Janeiro. It has buffet breakfast included; concierge.
Scorial Rio Hotel is 200 meters from Largo do Machado subway station, in Rio de Janeiro. It has breakfast; pool; Wi-Fi; air conditioning; valet parking subject to availability; restaurant; gym; sauna; accessibility; no pets.
ibis Rio de Janeiro Botafogo is a five-minute walk from Botafogo subway station, in Rio de Janeiro. It has breakfast; Wi-Fi; air conditioning; parking; pet-friendly; accessibility; bar.
ibis Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont is downtown, 1 km from Santos Dumont Airport, in Rio de Janeiro. It has breakfast; Wi-Fi; air conditioning; parking; pet-friendly; accessibility; bar.
ibis Rio de Janeiro Shopping Nova America is inside the Shopping Nova América complex, next to Del Castilho subway station, in Rio de Janeiro. It has breakfast; Wi-Fi; air conditioning; parking; pet-friendly; accessibility; bar.
Novotel RJ Porto Atlântico is in the Santo Cristo neighborhood, in Rio de Janeiro. It has Wi-Fi; air conditioning; restaurant; bar; parking; pool; sauna; gym; kids' area; accessibility; accepts small pets.
Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro is in Lapa, in the historic center, in Rio de Janeiro. It has breakfast; Wi-Fi; Versátil and Massa Fina restaurants; bars; spa; hot tub; Turkish bath; gym; accessible rooms.
Windsor Asturias is in downtown Rio, near the subway, the VLT light rail and Santos Dumont Airport, in Rio de Janeiro. It has breakfast; pool; gym; sauna; internet; air conditioning; Ópera restaurant.
Miramar by Windsor Copacabana is across from Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeiro. It has optional breakfast depending on the rate; gym; infinity pool; parking subject to availability; accepts dogs and cats up to 5 kg.
Windsor Barra is in Barra da Tijuca, in Rio de Janeiro. It has a pool; paid parking subject to availability; air conditioning.
Windsor Florida is a few meters from Aterro do Flamengo (waterfront park), in Rio de Janeiro. It has breakfast; pool; gym; internet; air conditioning; paid parking subject to availability; Babuska restaurant.
Flavors of the destination
A pastry shop and café founded in 1894 by Portuguese immigrants on Rua Gonçalves Dias, with Belgian mirrors and an art nouveau hall renovated between 1912 and 1918. It suits those who want coffee or lunch in a landmark of Rio's belle époque.
A bar opened in 1939 in Urca, now run by the third generation of the same family and recognized as part of Rio's cultural heritage. It serves snacks such as shrimp pastel (fried pastry) and codfish fritters facing Baía de Guanabara.
A restaurant in Santa Teresa led by chef Ana Castilho, serving Brazilian cuisine with ingredients from several regions and terrace tables with a view. It is part of the Michelin Guide selection and suits those who want to eat outdoors on the hillside.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
Through Galeão International Airport or Santos Dumont Airport, downtown. By car, it is about 430 km from São Paulo on the Via Dutra highway.
From April to June and from August to October, with less rain and milder heat. In summer, afternoons often bring rain showers, and the city is packed over New Year's Eve and Carnival.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
