Best Things To Do in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is a city of experiences and places. It is not your typical destination of monuments and history. Getting to know the city means soaking up its customs, its life and its flavour. And you will understand why when you see how many things there are to do in Rio!

In addition to the Sugar Loaf and Christ the Redeemer, it is impossible to miss a football match at the Maracana stadium. Nor can you leave without visiting some of its favela neighbourhoods, taking a tour to explore its beaches and bays, hiking through its stunning natural surroundings, or sampling (or even cooking) its exquisite cuisine.

Christ the Redeemer is undoubtedly the biggest icon of Rio de Janeiro (I would even go so far as to say of Brazil), and is a must-see if you visit Rio. To get there and see it, you have several options. Read on and I'll tell you more.

Don't miss anything with a guided tour

The main points of interest in the area are the Selarón, Book the Christ the Redeemer and the Christ the Redeemer tour. With a full tour with a local guide included, you'll get transport, the cable car ride, even a delicious lunch at a barbecue! However, to choose this option, you have to book a whole day.

Ride up to Christ the Redeemer on the cogwheel train

If you prefer to visit this famous monument without spending a whole day travelling, I recommend you book your tickets for the rack railway train that will take you up to Christ the Redeemer. This way, access will be quick and easy, and you'll have more time to enjoy the magnificent views.

Flying over Sugarloaf

Speaking of views, you can literally fly over them on the cable car that links Sugarloaf to Morro da Urca. Book your ticket and get flexible access to the cable car for a leisurely ride during your visit.

You may have heard of favelas, but you may not know what you can find in these Brazilian neighbourhoods. If you want to get to know the street life of Rio de Janeiro, you can take guided tours through some of these neighbourhoods. I recommend three of the best favela tours for you to choose which one you would like to visit during your trip:

• Vidigal favelas tour: If you're visiting the Vidigal favela, you have the perfect opportunity to also hike the Two Brothers hill. If you feel like setting aside a day to wander and enjoy nature in equal parts, this tour is perfect.

You'll have a guide accompany you through the Vidigal neighbourhood, and then enjoy the area's wildlife as you hike up the hill.

• Tour the favelas of Santa Marta: If you're a Michael Jackson fan, this has to be the favela neighbourhood to visit. Here, in Santa Marta, some parts of the video clip They don't care about us were filmed, do you remember it?

With this guided tour, you'll be able to discover all the spots that appear in it, and you'll love its craft shops, colourful houses and urban art.

• Book the Rocinha favelas tour: To get to know the most human side of Rio, I recommend you to visit the Rocinha favela. By booking a guided tour through its streets, you'll be able to learn first-hand about the educational projects being developed here, talk to its neighbours, and wander through the streets amidst breathtaking views.

To enjoy Rio de Janeiro at its most footballing, you have two mutually compatible options: visit the Maracanã stadium and experience a football match in the stadium itself or in the Nilton Santos stadium.

Pelé, Romario, Ronaldo... Brazilian football has the most outstanding stars of international football, so watching their teams live is a spectacular experience.

The Maracana Stadium is the biggest stadium in Brazil, so even if you only visit it when there is no match, it is an experience worth booking in your travel diary.

On the other hand, the Olympic Stadium Nilton Santos is known as the Botafogo. It is not as famous as the Maracana, but it hosts some of the most important football matches in the city, so it is also interesting to see if during your trip there is a match in this stadium.

Speaking of sports, if you are a big football fan, don't miss the Flamengo Museum. Take a look at the history of the Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, one of the most famous clubs in Brazil.

Are you visiting Rio de Janeiro during Carnival? It's certainly a great time to come. Watching the Samba School Carnival parade is one of the most impressive experiences Rio and Brazil has to offer.

If you've seen pictures of this parade, it's not only a unique dance spectacle in the world. Join the Carnival and celebrate it like a Brazilian!

If you are going to share this trip with someone special and you are adventurous, I have the perfect plan for you. There's only one thing you have to choose: paragliding or hang gliding. I'll tell you more!

The perfect paragliding tandem

I've told you before about flying over Rio de Janeiro with the Sugarloaf cable car, but this? This is another level. Dare to fly over Rio de Janeiro in a paraglider, enjoy the views and take photos and videos as a souvenir of this incredible experience. Don't worry, you will have a flight instructor who will help you with everything so that you only have to worry about enjoying every second of the flight.

Feel free to hang glide

If paragliding doesn't quite convince you, there's the option of hang-gliding! This experience starts in the Tijuca Forest, and during the flight you'll have unique views of the Rocinha favela, Christ the Redeemer and the Atlantic Forest. Impressive, isn't it?

Tasting the local cuisine on a trip is easy, but do you dare to cook? You can take a crash course in Brazilian cuisine with a master class where you 'll learn how to cook 6 classic Brazilian dishes, which you'll then try with a few caipirinhas. Ready to put on your cooking apron?

If you don't want to miss the opportunity to connect with nature and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, your perfect plan is a hiking route. I'm going to make a few recommendations, and choose the one that most appeals to you - they're all beautiful!

Dare with the rainforest

Get your explorer side ready for the Tijuca Rainforest Excursion. 4 hours, a jeep, and the largest urban forest in the world, doesn't it sound like the perfect plan? Cachoeira de Macacos, Vista Chinesa or the Atlantic Forest are some of the places you'll visit on this excursion in which the fauna and flora are the protagonists.

A route not to lose altitude

If you're more into mountains and climbing, I also have a plan for you. Spend a day touring Pedra da Gávea, climbing up to 844 metres. From the top, you'll be able to see a breathtaking view of Rio de Janeiro that will take your breath away (although that may also be partly due to the hike).

Well, if you fancy more beach and sea when you travel to Rio, read on, because I have some plans that you'll love. Get your swimming costume ready and I'll keep telling you about them.

• Book your tour to Arraial do Cabo. Beaches, caves and good food. Need I tell you more? Sail through what is known as the Brazilian Caribbean, enjoy the Prainhas do Pintal do Atalaia and Praia do Farol and fall in love with the Gruta do Amor. You can also enjoy a buffet lunch to regain your strength after an unforgettable day.
• Get your tickets for a boat trip. If you want to enjoy the sea, but spend less time at sea, I recommend you book a boat trip to see some of the most emblematic places in the city.

In about 2 hours, you will tour the famous Guanabara Bay, with audio guide included and exit to the upper deck.

• The crystal-clear waters of Angra dos Reis. How about a schooner ride around the islands of your dreams? This is what Angra dos Reis has to offer. On a day trip, you'll be able to do water sports, eat on board a boat, snorkel and swim among the fish in the area... I think I've already convinced you that this is the perfect plan to enjoy the sea.

When you hear these names, golden sands and Frank Sinatra singing "Girl from Ipanema" come to mind.

On the one hand, Copacabana is the perfect place to drink caipirinhas, and became famous in the 1950s, when it became one of the most glamorous and touristic areas of Rio de Janeiro. One of its tourist attractions are the spectacular sand sculptures that are made here. Besides, for souvenir shopping you will find plenty of jewellery stalls and handicraft shops among the shopping streets of the area.

One of the things that makes it really special is the wonderful perspective of the hills of the city, that's why it has a unique skyline!

Ipanema beach, on the other hand, is the favourite beach for surfers. Moreover, its history is closely associated with music, as it is one of the cradles of the bossa nova. It is not as "exclusive" as Copacabana beach, and has a certain interesting bohemian charm. In its surroundings there are art galleries, a large shopping street, Visconde de Pirajá, and the church of Nossa Senhora da Paz.

You're sure to see people jogging along this beach, and if you want a beautiful sunset over the sea, you'll find the perfect viewpoint here: the Ponta do Arpoador.

To complete your visit to Rio de Janeiro, let's go to the most essential part of the city: its historic centre and its music. What do you think?

Santa Teresa, Lapa and a tram

A city is its neighbourhoods. And you can't miss the Santa Teresa neighbourhood during your visit to Rio de Janeiro, one of the most traditional in the city. I also recommend you see the Arcos da Lapa, walk along the Passeio Público, the spectacular Selarón staircase, the Parque das Ruinas and Cinelândia square, the largest square in Rio. Take advantage of the walk to stop off at the Confeitaria Colombo café and cross Santa Teresa on its legendary tram...

Rio Scenarium: a spectacle for the senses

And in the evening, music, dinner and an open bar to toast to the good times! Rio Scenarium is one of the most outstanding nightclubs in Rio de Janeiro, and I suggest you spend an authentic Brazilian night with live music while enjoying a first-class dinner with an open bar afterwards.

Traveller Tip

Prepare your best poses for the photos you take at Rio Scenarium. This place used to be an antique shop, and it shows.

We've talked about views, but this scenery might be missing a drink in your hand, don't you think? I'm going to recommend some of the best rooftops in Rio de Janeiro so that watching the sunset with a caipirinha goes from being a dream to a memory.

Sky Leme Rooftop & Lounge

At the top of the Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme is this place where you can relax with spectacular views of Copacabana beach. Pool, DJ, cocktails and views at your fingertips.

Yoo2 Rio de Janeiro

If you can imagine this experience with a view of Sugarloaf Mountain, Yoo2 Hotel has the perfect rooftop. Located on Botafogo Beach, it has a chic and modern atmosphere that will win you over.