15 Unmissable Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Rio de Janeiro is a vibrant city known for its samba dancing, cheerful vibe, and stunning beaches. It’s also where thousands of visitors flock to for the most colorful and energetic parade on Earth; Carnival.

But this Brazilian city is more than just Carnival and street parties, it’s also home to one of the seven wonders of the world, numerous historical landmarks, and is surrounded by incredible hiking trails.

Needless to say, you’ll never be short of things to do in Rio de Janeiro.

If you’re wondering what Rio de Janeiro attractions to include on your itinerary, you’ve come to the right place. This guide to the best things to do in Rio will make sure you make the most out of your time in this incredible city.

1. Play Footvolley on Ipanema Beach

There are two beaches in Rio that make the city so famous; Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach. Ipanema is considered a wealthy district in Rio and is one of the best areas for families.

The beach is gorgeous, with clean golden sand and refreshing ocean waves to swim in.

But while swimming and sunbathing are popular activities here, it’s also known for being a great place to play footvolley. If you’re not familiar with the game, it’s like regular volleyball but you use your feet instead.

Brazilians take football very seriously so it’s no wonder that they invented footvolley. This is a popular sport to play on this iconic beach and you’ll find plenty of pitches set up near the promenade.

• Hours: The beach is open 24 hours but it’s not recommended to visit at night
• Address: Ipanema

2. Bike along the Boulevard of Copacabana Beach

The second most iconic beach in Rio is Copacabana beach. Known for its long, golden sand with views of the Sugarloaf mountain, it’s one landmark in Rio that you cannot miss.

As well as sunbathing or swimming, the beach is also known for its boulevard, which is a popular area for skaters, roller skaters, and cyclists.

Every Sunday, the beach is closed to street traffic and is entirely pedestrianized, so is the perfect time to rent a bicycle and explore the length of this beach. This is definitely up there as one of the most fun things to do in Rio de Janeiro with kids.

You can hire a bike from many bike…