Images of raucous Carnival parties, pristine beaches and the vivid colours of the landscape below Christ the Redeemer fill the minds of would-be visitors to this vibrant former capital. For many people, Rio de Janeiro is synonymous with Brazil – the coastal city representing the very idea of Brazil.
The azure waters that surrounded Sugarloaf Mountain, and the golden sands of Copacabana, are landmarks of Rio, and of Brazil as a whole. But the beauty of Rio can also be found in what you unexpectedly discover after arriving, in the lesser-visited spots.
A host of museums and art galleries chronicle both Rio and Brazil’s medieval and colonial past, some remnants of which are visible today, both in the city’s landscapes and in a samba culture throughout neighbourhoods such as Lapa and Santa Teresa.
A city as eclectic as Rio contains an impossibly large number of things to do on your visit, but we’ve rounded up a list of the best to help you plan your visit.
Cocktails and kickabouts on Copacabana or Ipanema
Copacabana is one of the main locations for Rio’s Carnival celebrations
(Getty Images)
Rio’s beaches are one of its more recognisable features, and have greatly contributed to the city’s modern-day image. The two-and-a-half mile golden stretch of Copacabana has become as synonymous with Rio as the Redeemer or Sugarloaf, being a focal point of the city for celebrations, protests and everything in between. Usually, the beach is strewn with various characters, from caipirinha-sipping tourists and local kids playing beach football to people taking a stroll along the promenade and vendors plying their trade.
Not too far from the western end of Copacabana, the similarly beautiful yet slightly less well-known Ipanema beach lies in front of the eponymous neighbourhood. More popular with locals, this stretch is a social mixing point, with sports, surfing and LGBT+-friendly sections.
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Ascend to Christ the Redeemer
The Redeemer statue was built between 1922 and 1931
(Getty Images)
El Cristo Redentor towers above the city as a symbol of Christianity known throughout the world. This 38-metre tall, 28-metre wide structure stands on top of the Corcovado mountain.
Though seeing it is easy from many corners of the city, especially when it is lit at night, a journey to the top of the Corcovado mountain to get up…
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