10 Best Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro [2024]
Are you visiting Rio soon and are wondering what to see and do? Here are the 10 best things to do in Rio de Janeiro in 2024
Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. But it’s not just the city’s famous beaches, beautiful harbour and iconic landmarks that make it worth visiting. There are also tons of great things to do in Rio de Janeiro!
How do I know this? I recently spent a month in Rio de Janeiro, and during this time I got to explore the city, immerse myself in the local culture and enjoy plenty of fun activities. Overall, it was a fantastic experience and I can’t wait to go back again soon. And, in the meantime, I’m trying to learn as much as possible about this amazing city.
In doing so, I recently reached out to Tess Kazenoff, a fellow travel blogger who is quite the Rio de Janeiro expert. Tess has visited Rio several times and frequently writes about the city on her blog, Tess The Traveler.
And to help me share some of her expertise with you, Tess has put together the below list of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro. While I had the opportunity to do a lot of the activities on this list during my time in Rio, Tess has definitely given me some more ideas for next time I visit, and I’m sure she will do the same for you.
So, read on to find out the 10 best things to do in Rio de Janeiro, so you can start planning your trip!
10 Best Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro
By Tess Kazenoff from Tess The Traveler
There’s no need to choose between adventurous nature experiences, world-famous beaches, a tropical atmosphere, or rich culture when it comes to Rio de Janeiro.
Dubbed the “marvelous city,” or “cidade maravilhosa,” Rio de Janeiro is not only the second largest city in Brazil, but it’s the heart of so many Brazilian cultural cornerstones – from samba and bossa nova to Carnival. In short, Rio de Janeiro truly has it all, making it one of the best places to visit in Brazil.
So, here are the 10 best things to do in Rio de Janeiro to get you started with exploring this magical city.
1. Visit Christ the Redeemer
One of the best ways to experience Rio de Janeiro is from above, and there’s no better place to do it than from one of Rio de Janeiro’s most iconic sites. Not only has Christ the Redeemer, or Cristo Redentor, become a symbol of Rio, but it’s even one of the world’s seven wonders. But ultimately, it’s just an amazing way to get a panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro, allowing you to bask in the city’s insane natural beauty.
You have a few options for visiting: you can take a train, hike, or take a car. The train is the most scenic method, and ticket prices fluctuate depending on the season, but it’s currently R $122.50, or $22.02 USD for both the train ride and entrance to the statue.
It’s easiest to book a tour that includes your train and entrance fee, as the line to purchase your ticket at the statue’s entrance is often very long, and cash-only. Also be warned that Cristo Redentor gets super crowded really quickly — while crowds will be pretty tough to avoid altogether, I suggest getting there first thing in the morning.
2. Experience Sugarloaf Mountain
This is Rio de Janeiro’s other most famous destination, and it’s not hard to figure out why. The view from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, Pão de Açúcar, is truly unbeatable, especially when experienced at sunset — the 360-degree view of Rio is really out of this world.
To get to the top, you’ll want to take two three-minute cable cars, first to Morro da Urca, then up to the top of Sugarloaf. Sugarloaf’s cable cars opened back in 1912, making them the first cable cars in the country, and third in the world. Currently, the trip costs R $185, around $33 USD.
3. Explore Jardim Botânico
Rio de Janeiro is a giant city, but Jardim Botânico, a botanical garden, is one of the most peaceful places in Rio.
Founded in the early 1800s by the Portuguese king, João VI, today, the garden is one of the city’s most popular destinations. You may have seen photos of the garden’s famous palm-tree-lined road, but it’s also so much more than that — with 350 acres, over 7,000 types of tropical plants from both Brazil and abroad are housed here. There’s plenty to explore, so plan to spend at least a couple of hours here.
For foreigners, entry to the garden is R $73 and must be paid in cash.
4. Wander around Parque Lage
Parque Lage is a true gem in Rio de Janeiro loved by nature and architecture buffs alike.
Situated between the Botanical Garden and the Christ the Redeemer statue is a gorgeous public park with a historic Roman-style mansion, which you may recognize from a Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams or Black Eyed Peas music video. Inside the mansion is a beautiful courtyard pool — although the park is free to explore, to get seated at a table by the pool, you do have to purchase something from the restaurant. To get to the top of the mansion (which gives you a great view), you also have to purchase something from the gift shop.
From this area, you could even hike up the Christ the Redeemer statue, if you’re up for a somewhat challenging hike.
5. Visit The Museum of Tomorrow
Museu do Amanhã, or the Museum of Tomorrow, is an awesome science museum in Downtown Rio focused on technology and the future, all from a sustainable lens. You can expect lots of immersive and interactive exhibits, and impressive architecture as well. With the exception of one video presentation, everything has English translations available.
To avoid waiting in line, reserve your tickets in advance online for R $30. The museum is closed on Mondays, and free on Tuesdays.
6. Listen to Samba
This is an essential activity for experiencing a taste of Brazilian culture. Rio de Janeiro is considered one of the birthplaces of samba, an Afro-Brazilian music style that has a fast tempo and usually comes with dancing!
While there are plenty of ways to listen to samba during your time in Rio, one of the most fun ways is by going to Pedra do Sal, a historic and religiously significant area in Rio’s “Little Africa” neighborhood, where you can enjoy the music for free every Monday night. Street vendors will be selling caipirinhas (a classic Brazilian cocktail similar to a mojito), beers, and street foods like espetinho, which is usually barbecued meat or cheese on a stick.
7. Walk up Escadaria Selarón
Maybe you’d recognize this staircase, also known as the Lapa Steps, as the setting of music videos for artists like Snoop Dogg and U2, but nevertheless, it’s another one of Rio de Janeiro’s most iconic locations and a great place for photos.
Decked out in over 2,000 tiles from around the world, Escadaria Selarón connects two neighborhoods, Lapa and Santa Teresa, which are both worth a visit on their own. Lapa is a popular nightlife destination, and Santa Teresa is a bohemian neighborhood as well as a hub for Afro-Brazilian culture.
8. Visit Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil
This is a free cultural centre in Downtown Rio de Janeiro that has a number of interesting exhibits on display. Exhibits range from Brazilian to international artists, and you can easily spend an hour or so wandering through. Plus, this is another spot with gorgeous architecture, making it a great spot for photos.
Although, keep in mind that the CCBB is closed on Tuesdays.
9. Hike in Tijuca Forest
Tijuca Forest is considered one of the world’s largest urban forests, and there are nearly endless options of trails and hikes you can explore here. Discover hidden waterfalls, see animals like monkeys and birds, and get even more breathtaking views of Rio (which just never gets old).
One of the best hikes to go on in Tijuca Forest is Pedra Bonita. It’s relatively easy, while giving you a gorgeous view of the city at the top. This is also a popular spot for hang gliding and paragliding!
It’s easiest to take an Uber to the entrance of this hike, but just know that cell reception can be spotty, making it difficult to call an Uber when you’re ready to leave. However, there are typically drivers around who you can negotiate with for a drive back down to the city. You can also arrange round-trip transportation ahead of time.
10. Relax at the beach
Of course, no visit to Rio de Janeiro would be complete without a visit (or multiple) to the beach. The most famous beaches in Rio de Janeiro are located in the South Zone, and include Ipanema and Copacabana. Both offer stunning views of the nearby mountains, and are also in super walkable neighborhoods, with lots of bars, restaurants, and shopping options nearby.
Right between Copacabana and Ipanema is also Arpoador, which is a popular spot to watch the sunset. You’ll see locals here every night!
If you’re looking for a beach that’s a little less touristy and more on the relaxed side, head a little farther west to Barra da Tijuca. This is a favourite among many locals for its beauty and calmer atmosphere.
Final Thoughts – Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro
Amazing either on its own or as a stop in a larger Brazil itinerary, Rio de Janeiro is more than worth a visit. With an abundance of nature, museums, cultural destinations, and much more right at your fingertips, you could easily spend weeks here without getting bored.
We hope this article has helped give you some ideas for the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro. These 10 activities are essential for any first-time visitor and are the perfect introduction to the city, so you can see just how incredible Rio is.
Want to find read more about travel in Brazil? Check out some of my other Brazil content.
READ MORE
Campeche Island: The Complete Guide To Ilha do Campeche
Iguazu Falls Where To Stay: Hotels, Which Side Is Better & More
Brazilian Breakfast: The 11 Best Foods for Breakfast in Brazil
Which Side Of Iguazu Falls Is Better? The Complete Guide
Macuco Safari Review: The Ultimate Boat Ride At Iguazu Falls
