10 Top Tourist Attractions In Rio De Janeiro

Among the most active and energetic cities in South America is Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro is lovely and energetic, on the border of the Atlantic Ocean encircled by the wooded Serra do Mar range and home to Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado.

1. Christ the Redeemer

There is no doubt that the most famous monument is the statue of Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor). Standing on the top of the hill at 2,300 feet above sea level, the 130-foot tall art deco statue offers some of the best views of Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay. The base and observation levels are located at the top of the mountain accessible by train through the Atlantic rainforest. Do not forget about positioning yourself in front of Jesus to contemplate his arms wide open.

2. Sugarloaf Mountain

Try Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar), a stunning 1,300-foot-high monolith rising out of the water for additional amazing vistas. Riding a glass cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain, stop halfway up the mountain at Morro da Urca. From here you will enjoy an amazing perspective across the lowlands with sandy beaches forested hills and skyscrapers along Rio's coastal strip. Go for a stroll in the evening to welcome the night when lights turn the city alive.

3. Copacabana Beach

Carnival pop-iconized, Copacabana is Rio’s most famous stretch of the shoreline, famous for the wave-striped black and white promenade and the buzzing nightlife. Walking, jogging, sunbathing, volleyball, and having coffee and other snacks at kiosks on the 4-kilometer strip of golden sand, are some of the activities that people both locals and tourists engage in at this beach. During the night, indulge in one of the wonderful beach restaurants or even a swanky rooftop bar.

4. Ipanema Beach

Next to Copacabana in the south of the city, Ipanema Beach is home to more vibrant areas for surfing and boogie boarding. Go for a stroll from Ipanema towards the rocky Arpoador beach and watch the families, beach volleyball, young surfers, and Rio’s bravado SC Rubens in action on the strongest waves. Sample the fresh coconut water, which is available from any of the bright-colored kiosks, and chill to the great music of Ipanema.

5. Metropolitan Cathedral

Minimalist with its cone-shaped structure of stained glass in a step-like formation, the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Cathedral is a remarkable, contemporary representation of Roman Catholicism. The church was built between 1964 and 1979 and has a standing capacity of up to 20,000 people under a rising ceiling that is quite spectacular to behold. Its construction started in 1959 and Pope John Paul II himself dedicated the cathedral in 1980 during the first papal visit to Brazil.

6. Rio Scenarium

For a taste of Brazil’s culture, fabulous drinks, and great music, Rio Scenarium is a remarkable three-story nightclub featuring a live samba show and dancing. Rio Scenarium, with its 20,000 antiques and treasures, seems like a collector's home; its corridors smell of both residents and visitors dancing to samba rhythms under dim light. Aiming at the sight and the sound. Curling up with a caipirinha beverage will help you experience Rio's happy party scene.

7. Santa Teresa Neighborhood

To take a glimpse of the life in Rio that is not typically touristy, especially those not frequently seen in the beach areas, get to Santa Teresa, a hilly and artistic area. Take a walk and stroll through the quaint town with the stone-paved roads and architectural masterpieces in colonial-style houses painted in pastel shades of colors. Visit art galleries and museums, go for a ride in a historic streetcar called Bonde, specifically the Santa Teresa line, and enjoy a scenic overlook of the city at Parque das Ruínas. Savor a lunch or dinner in one of the romantic bistros in town before ending the tour.

8. Maracanã Stadium Tour

Learn about the workings of the famous Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro by taking a tour of this revered stadium. Based on the World Cup in 1950, the stadium currently holds football games and music concerts for up to 80,000 people. Tour the tunnel with typical stadium noise and walk into the museum and out into the field where fans are depicted with great zeal from a great vantage of the stands.

9. Rio Botanical Gardens

To avoid high temperatures feel free to spend time and enjoy 140 acres of garden areas within Jardim Botânico of Rio. Established in 1808 and occupying an area of 22 hectares within the city, this park has more than 6 thousand varieties of tropical and subtropical flora. Stroll on trails under trees, overhanging branches, and through pathways to reach a garden, water lilies, fountains, and sculptures. One of the amazing features that should not be missed is the canopy walkway where you ascend into the trees for breathtaking views.

10. Nightlife in Lapa

As the sun sets in the evening time, the locals of Rio head to the Lapa area to dance the night away at the samba clubs and listen to bands and musicians in the winding narrow streets of the area. Decaying colonial architecture remains overshadowed by current graffiti art and the buildings itself now contain a plethora of bars, clubs, and late-night restaurants with live forró and capoeira shows. It’s time to follow the crowds and get a taste of the vibrant Brazilian nightlife.

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