All citiesRio de Janeiro Things to do and walking itinerary
Brazil Rio de Janeiro travel guide
31 things to do in Rio de Janeiro, where to stay, airport transfers, 2 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Rio de Janeiro
- Christ the Redeemer — colossal statue of Jesus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Museum of Tomorrow — Interactive museum of science and the future on the port, under a long skeletal white roof. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Museu Nacional — museum of UFRJ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Valongo Wharf — former wharf in Rio de Janeiro (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Rio de Janeiro Cathedral — cathedral in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (visit ≈ 35 min)
- America Football Club — association football club (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Fort Copacabana — military building in Rio de Janeiro (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden — park of the Botanical Garden, environmental preservation area of the Rio de Janeiro state in Brazil (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Candelária Church — church in Rio de Janeiro (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Museu Nacional de Belas Artes — national art museum in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Teatro Municipal — theater in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Urca — neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro (visit ≈ 15 min)
- National Historical Museum — history museum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Old Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro — Roman Catholic church in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Museum of Modern Art, Rio de Janeiro — art museum (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Quinta da Boa Vista — public park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Paço Imperial — building in Rio de Janeiro (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Flamengo Park — largest public park and recreation area in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Gustavo Capanema Palace — modernist office building in Rio de Janerio, Brazil (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Santa Teresa Tram — historic tramway in Rio de Janeiro (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Parque Lage — park in Zona Sul, Brazil (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Presbyterian Cathedral of Rio of Janeiro — church in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Carmen Miranda Museum — museum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Brazilian Historic and Geographic Institute — archive in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Catete Palace — palace in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Guanabara Palace — building in Rio de Janeiro (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Cinelândia District — neighborhood in the central region of Rio de Janeiro city (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Monument to the dead of World War II — Brazilian war memorial in Rio de Janeiro (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Campo de Santana — park in Rio de Janeiro (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Praça XV de Novembro — square in Rio de Janeiro (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Fort Coligny — fortress founded by Nicolas Durand de Villegaignon in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1555 (visit ≈ 60 min)
4-day Rio de Janeiro walking itinerary
Starting point: Copacabana. The top 5 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 5.5 km · 7,370 steps · 1 h 12 min on the way): Fort Copacabana
- Day 2 (≈ 9.0 km · 12,200 steps · 2 h 0 min on the way): Parque Lage
- Day 3 (≈ 10.0 km · 13,500 steps · 2 h 13 min on the way): Guanabara Palace → Carmen Miranda Museum
- Day 4 (≈ 6.5 km · 8,820 steps · 1 h 28 min on the way): Urca
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Rio de Janeiro
- Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading — Neo-Manueline library lined to the ceiling with carved wooden shelves under a stained-glass skylight. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Tijuca Forest — A vast rainforest inside the city, with waterfalls, trails and viewpoints such as Vista Chinesa. (visit ≈ 180 min)
- Niterói Contemporary Art Museum — Niemeyer's flying-saucer museum across the bay, reached by ferry, with views back to Rio. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Pista Cláudio Coutinho — Flat seaside path at the foot of Sugarloaf, walked to the sound of waves with marmosets nearby. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Ipanema Hippie Fair — Sunday craft, art and souvenir market set up on General Osório square. (visit ≈ 45 min)
Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro
- Copacabana: The famous beach, plenty of hotels and metro access.
- Ipanema: A chic beach area of cafés, boutiques and sunsets.
- Leblon: Calm and upmarket, with good restaurants and bars.
- Botafogo: A more affordable area with local bars and Sugarloaf views.
- Santa Teresa: A bohemian hilltop area of studios and old mansions.
Getting from the airport to Rio de Janeiro
- Galeão (GIG): Premium airport bus ≈ 1 h; taxi ≈ 45 min.
- Santos Dumont (SDU): Taxi ≈ 20 min; or VLT tram to the centre and change to the metro.
Getting around
The metro links the southern beaches with the centre; Uber is common for short trips. Avoid empty streets at night.
Classic places to eat
- Confeitaria Colombo: Pastries and coffee in a mirrored Belle Époque hall since 1894.
- Casa Cavé: One of the city’s oldest pastry shops, since 1860.
- Bar Urca: Beer and pastéis on the seawall.
- Bracarense: A classic Leblon boteco spilling onto the pavement.
- Jobi: A late-night Leblon boteco since 1956.
- Bar do Mineiro: Feijoada and Minas Gerais food in Santa Teresa.
- Churrascaria Palace: Churrasco grilled meats in Copacabana since 1951.
- Garota de Ipanema: The bar where the famous bossa nova song was written.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- Lasai — 2 MICHELIN stars, Brazilian, contemporary
- Oteque — 2 MICHELIN stars, Contemporary
Romantic views
- Arpoador (Sunset): On the rocks, people applaud the sunset.
- Sugarloaf Mountain (Sunset): The bay and beaches from a summit reached by cable car.
- Mureta da Urca (Sunset): Beer and bay views on a low seawall.
- Selarón Steps (Early morning): Famous steps covered in colourful tiles.
Football stadiums in Rio de Janeiro
- Maracanã Stadium: Home of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, Fluminense F.C.
- Estádio Nilton Santos: Home of Botafogo F.R.
- Estádio São Januário: Home of CR Vasco da Gama
Good to know before visiting Rio de Janeiro
- Fine: Racism is a serious crime in Brazil.
- Fine: Drug offences carry severe penalties.
- Warning: Keep phones and valuables out of sight in the street; never leave belongings unattended on the beach.
- Warning: Visit favelas only with licensed local guides.
- Warning: Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue are common; use repellent.
- Cards are widely accepted; locals use Pix for payments.
- Emergency: police 190, ambulance 192, fire 193
- Plugs: N/C, 127/220V
- Tap water: Drink filtered or bottled water rather than tap.
- Tipping: A 10% service charge is usually added.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Brazil, Wikivoyage — Brazil, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Rio de Janeiro travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Rio de Janeiro?
- The top 5 places in the centre take about 4 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel.
- What are the top things to do in Rio de Janeiro?
- Highlights: Christ the Redeemer, Museum of Tomorrow, Museu Nacional, Valongo Wharf and Rio de Janeiro Cathedral. The map has 31 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro?
- Copacabana: The famous beach, plenty of hotels and metro access. Other options: Ipanema, Leblon, Botafogo and Santa Teresa.
- How do you get from the airport to Rio de Janeiro city centre?
- Galeão (GIG): Premium airport bus ≈ 1 h; taxi ≈ 45 min. · Santos Dumont (SDU): Taxi ≈ 20 min; or VLT tram to the centre and change to the metro.
- How do you get around Rio de Janeiro?
- The metro links the southern beaches with the centre; Uber is common for short trips. Avoid empty streets at night.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Rio de Janeiro?
- According to the last known data there are 2 starred restaurants: Lasai (2 stars), Oteque (2 stars). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Rio de Janeiro?
- Emergency: police 190, ambulance 192, fire 193.
- Do you tip in Rio de Janeiro?
- A 10% service charge is usually added.
Nearby cities
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