Known for its lively Carnival parties, the coastal city of Rio de Janeiro is the most popular city for tourists to visit in Brazil, representing the very idea of the country and is often mistaken for its current capital.
While visiting Rio de Janeiro during Carnival is a must for anyone who wants to experience “the greatest show on Earth” through countless street parties and parades, the city also offers travellers beautiful beaches and a vivid landscape to explore, all looked over by Christ the Redeemer.
The azure waters that surround Sugarloaf Mountain and the golden sands of Copacabana are landmarks of Rio, but the beauty of the city can also be found in what you unexpectedly discover 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 samba culture and throughout neighbourhoods such as Lapa, known for being a nightlife hub, and Santa Teresa, the artistic district found on the steep hillside.
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 trip.
Cocktails and kickabouts on Copacabana or Ipanema
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.
Read more: The best beaches in Brazil
Ascend to Christ the Redeemer
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