Rio de Janeiro attractions

Located in Petrópolis—the regal mountain town north of central Rio de Janeiro—the Imperial Museum offers insight into the lives of Brazilian royalty. Constructed in the middle of the 19th century as a summer home for Pedro I, the Imperial Museum captures the essence of a royal Brazilian palace.

Holding more than 9 million volumes, Brazil’s National Library (Biblioteca Nacional do Brasil) is the largest of its kind in Latin America. Founded in 1810 and relocated to its current Greek Revival-style building in 1910, the library maintains an archive of the country’s most important publications, periodicals, photographs, films, and music.

The city of Petrópolis (also known as the Imperial City) was founded upon royal opulence and wealth, and this is reflected in the lavish design of the city’s Crystal Palace (Palacio de Cristal). The ornate iron-and-glass structure was originally used as a hothouse for growing orchids and is now a venue for various cultural events.

Once a residence of 18th-century governors, the Rio de Janeiro Royal Palace (Paco Imperial) witnessed pivotal moments in Brazil's history. Today, it thrives as a vibrant public center, bridging the gap between history and contemporary culture, presenting guests with art seminars, revolving exhibits, and a library with rare works.

Since its opening in 2016, the AquaRio Aquarium has been South America’s largest aquarium. Spread over five floors and featuring 28 tanks, the aquarium is home to some 8,000 fish and marine creatures, with more than 350 different species represented.

Every February, the world’s largest party takes place on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At Samba City (Cidade do Samba) in the city’s port district, you’ll find that the Carnival spirit isn’t just limited to one week, but actually lasts the entire year, as you explore warehouses filled with enormous floats and experience other colorful traditions of the festival.

Rio de Janeiro’s Museum of Modern Art (Museu de Arte Moderna) offers one of Brazil's foremost collections of modern and contemporary art, with roughly 12,000 works housed within its concrete and glass-fronted facade. Highlights of the permanent collection include works by Di Cavalcanti, Maria Martins, and Bruno Giorgi.

Located in the west of Rio de Janeiro, Recreio dos Bandeirantes is serene and secluded—other visitors rarely stray this far from the city, leaving this beach to surfers and locals. Less busy and crowded than the South Zone beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, the beach offers a wealth of activities, from waterfront running and beach volleyball to paddleboarding and surfing. Plus, it’s one of the few Rio beaches where waves are consistently small and gentle, ideal for beginning surfers.

Situated a few minutes’ walk from Petropolis’ Liberty Square, the Santos Dumont House Museum pays homage to the pioneering spirit of Alberto Santos Dumont, a Brazilian aviation legend. Every corner reflects the brilliance of Santos Dumont's legacy, from a model of the innovative 14-bis aircraft to the charming gardens surrounding the museum.

As Brazil's first craft brewery, Cervejaria Bohemia offers a tantalizing journey through the country's brewing history. Here, you can immerse yourself in the world of hops, malt, and yeast as you explore the art of beer-making. With top-notch facilities and engaging exhibits, it’s a sure hit with beer enthusiasts and curious travelers.

Nestled in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, Cosme Velho offers a blend of history and beauty. Best known for the Cosmo Vehlo Railway Station, this vibrant neighborhood is often overlooked by visitors eager to get to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, but those seeking a slower-paced experience will find it in Cosmo Vehlo.

Credited with kick-starting the now-legendary music scene of Rio’s Lapa district, Rio Scenarium is one of the city’s most popular venues. Join the locals who come to hear some of the best samba, forró, baião, bossa nova, and gafieira music performed by established local acts and up-and-coming bands.

Located in the heart of Rio de Janeiro’s downtown, the National Museum of Fine Arts (known locally as Museu Nacional de Belas Artes) is widely considered to be one of the most important art museums in all of Brazil. The neoclassical building houses a large body of work, including the Portuguese Royal Collection—an extensive collection imported by King John VI after Rio became the capital of the Portugues Empire in the early 19th century.

Standing guard over the southern shores of Copacabana Beach and affording views of both Copacabana and Ipanema, Copacabana Fort is a former military base. Built in the 20th century, the fortress now houses a military museum and historic artifacts, but the main draw is the fort’s two cafés with sweeping beach views.

Brazil’s most famous landscape architect, Roberto Burle Marx, left his legacy all over the country, and his own estate is undoubtedly one of his masterpieces. The former banana plantation, which Marx bought together with his brother in 1949, was transformed into intricately designed gardens that take 18 gardeners to care for.

One of Rio de Janeiro’s most important buildings, the opulent Tiradentes Palace (Palácio Tiradentes) was inaugurated in May 1926. Instantly recognizable for its grand columns and allegorical rooftop statues, the building’s grandeur continues inside with its huge stained-glass dome. It houses the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro.

If neighboring Copacabana feels a little too hectic, head northeast along the promenade until you reach the wonderfully relaxed Leme Beach (Praia do Leme), which offers a calmer experience of Rio de Janeiro’s iconic seafront—and no less impressive views. It boasts soft sands, big waves, and views of Morro do Leme mountain.

Part of the revitalized Porto Maravilha waterfront, the Rio Art Museum (Museu de Arte do Rio, or MAR) is a recent addition to Rio’s art scene. With its eclectic architecture—a pair of 20th-century structures linked by a futuristic rooftop terrace—and innovative multimedia displays, it houses one of Brazil’s coolest contemporary-art collections.

Rio de Janeiro’s Santa Cruz da Barra Fortress, once a crucial coastal defense in Brazil’s colonial era, is now a popular tourist destination for those with an existing interest in military history and casual visitors alike. Within the grounds you can explore the fortress’s military relics, the Chapel of Santa Barbara, watchtowers, and dungeon cells.

Located off Rio de Janeiro’s Praça Quinze de Novembro public square, the Teles Arch (Arco do Teles) is a historic archway that dates to the mid-18th century. A remnant of Brazil’s colonial period, the archway leads to several narrow alleys lined by historic buildings, which now host lively bars and restaurants.

Botafogo, a lively neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, sits alongside Guanabara Bay. This bustling spot is famous for its vibrant atmosphere, buzzing nightlife, and Brazilian cuisine, as well as museums, historical landmarks, and street art, offering a range of cultural sights to explore.

Among the first neoclassical buildings built in Brazil, the Casa França–Brasil is now an architectural highlight of Rio de Janeiro’s Centro neighborhood. While it formerly served as a customs house, today the landmark is home to a contemporary art museum that hosts a range of exhibitions and events.

Far less crowded than Rio hot spots such as Copacabana or Ipanema, the art deco Flamengo neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro’s Zona Sul offers a comfortable downtown alternative to the more trendy beaches and resorts. While there, visit Flamengo Park, a grassy section of reclaimed shoreline that faces Guanabara Bay.

Nestled along Rio de Janeiro's coast, the Cagarras Islands offer a harmonious fusion of natural marvels and aquatic adventures. Uninhabited and embraced by nature, this archipelago beckons nature enthusiasts and water lovers, drawing visitors to explore its vibrant fora and fauna through boat, snorkeling, and scuba tours.

In a city as grand as Rio de Janeiro, it’s perhaps surprising that a small church is one of its most captivating sights. Sao Francisco da Penitencia Church (Igreja São Francisco da Penitência) is known for its dazzling gold interiors. Dating from 1726, it is also one of Brazil’s oldest churches and a shining example of baroque style in the middle of modern Rio.

Climbing the forested slopes of Tijuca National Park, the Corcovado Train (Trem do Corcovado) is the most scenic way to reach Rio’s mountaintop Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) statue. Electric-powered and almost a century old, the train is an important part of the city’s heritage and affords spectacular views of the world’s largest urban forest.

Like every paradise for bargain hunters, the Saara Shopping District is a maze where you can find anything and everything, be it t-shirts with witty print, colorful accessories, soccer jerseys, or iconic Havaianas flip flops. Since the diverse market is often overlooked by tourists, prices are reasonable and bargains can still be found.

Set amid the vast Quinta da Boa Vista Park and surrounded by lush native fauna, RioZoo is Brazil’s oldest zoo. Over 1,300 species of animals are represented, among them Bengal tigers, lions, hippos, wolves, and crocodiles, along with a number of Amazonian creatures such as sloths, toucans, and anacondas.

Formerly the main post office in downtown Rio de Janeiro, the Centro Cultural Correios has been transformed into a museum and cultural center, preserving the beautiful, detailed structure, built in 1922. Today, the Centro Cultural Correios is administered by the Brazilian postal service and attracts visitors for it’s varied art exhibitions, antique stamp fairs, special performances, and not to mention the attractive architecture. Original wooden floors, spiral staircases, and an antique elevator are among the architectural highlights.Diverse exhibitions rotate in and out of the Centro Cultural Correios, including modern art and sculpture, world-famous paintings, ancient artifacts, and exhibits that delve into Brazilian history. On the ground floor, there’s a 200-person theater that hosts plays, recitals and other performances throughout the year. Outside the center is a spacious courtyard with a reflecting pool and outdoor stage, for open-air concerts and events.

Situated in a sleek, chic modernist house in Santa Teresa, Rio’s bohemian quarter, the Chacara do Ceu Museum houses part of the vast art collection of the late Brazilian industrialist and aesthete, Raymundo Ottoni de Castro Maya. Over the course of his 74-year lifespan, Castro Maya amassed over 22,000 works of art, a large portion of which is displayed here.