With its white beaches, majestic mountains, and a picturesque harbor, it’s not surprising it is that tRio de Janeiro is known as the ” wonderful city” or marvelous city. With its view of towards the South Atlantic coast, the second-largest city in Brazil is blessed with one of the most stunning natural surroundings for a metropolitan area around the globe. There so many beautiful places in Rio de Janeiro for you to see!
The stunning scenery is only one of the main reasons tourists are drawn to Rio. When carnival season is in full swing when the streets are filled with music and elaborately dressed dancers, drawing crowds from across the world. In any season tourists shouldn’t skip the most popular tourist destinations within Rio de Janeiro.
1. Lagoa Neighborhood
The Lagoa neighborhood is not just the most exclusive area within the wealthy Zona Sul district but is the third-highest priced neighborhood in the entire region of South America. It also has the largest lagoon, that is known as”the” Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas.
The four-mile pathway that runs around the lake is popular place for cyclists and joggers. Restaurants and cafes that are open to the public along the shoreline offer breathtaking views of the lake and the beaches that lie beyond.
2. Maracana Stadium
The sport of football (or soccer) is the most popular game that is played Brazil in the country. The Maracana Stadium is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. The stadium was once the largest in the world. football stadium and was able to accommodate nearly 200,000 when it was first opened in 1950.
In recent times the capacity has been reduced due to security concerns and there is now seating available for all supporters. It was partially renovated to prepare in 2015 World Cup and is currently capable of accommodating 80,000 fans which makes it the biggest venue located in South America.
3. Tijuca National Park
One of the biggest urban forests in the world in the world, the Tijuca National Park encompasses an enormous area of mostly mountains-like landscape. It is possible to hike up Rio’s highest mountain which is the Pico da Tijuca, to admire the breathtaking panoramic views over Guanabara Bay and the city below.
The forest was nearly destroyed in the 1800s due to encroaching coffee plantations. Much part of it was planted by hand during the second part of the century, with around the number of trees to be planted at nine million. There are many attractions, including those of the Mayrink Chapel, which has murals created by the famous Brazilian Neo – Realism artist Candido Portinari and the 100-foot tumbling Cascatinha Waterfall.
4. Lapa Neighborhood
In the downtown area of Rio called “Centro”, the Lapa neighborhood was once Rio’s red-light district. It is now popular for its vibrant nightlife. It is lined with choro and samba bars The music and dancing can be heard on the street at night on weekends.
The majority of the architecture in the area is from the 1800s, creating an impressive backdrop for the celebrations. It’s a great place to gather with your cariocas and friends to taste local food and drink caipirinha – the national drink that is made from citrus and sugarcane. Escadaria Selaron a set of famed steps connects neighborhoods.
5. Santa Teresa Neighborhood
Perched on a hill that overlooks the city’s harbor, Santa Teresa neighborhood invites visitors to take a step back and enjoy the fading style of Rio’s.
The area was left undeveloped until 1896, when an Aqueduct was constructed that connected the neighborhood with the city. The area was a refuge for musicians, artists and writers during the 20th century. although trendy bars and boutiques have taken over the area however, it retains an amiable, artist-colony feel.
The city’s final streetcar is that of the Santa Teresa Tram, used to be one of the top tourist attraction within Rio de Janeiro but was shut down following a serious accid ent that occurred on the track.
6. Jardim Botanico
The garden is located to just to the east of Lagoa neighborhood situated to the west of the Lagoa neighborhood, located to the west of the Lagoa neighborhood, Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden is also known as Jardim Botanico, houses more than 8,000 species of plant. The garden was constructed in the early 1800s The garden has numerous mature plants, including avenues of palm trees that tower over the landscape.
People flock to the park to take a look at the variety of orchids that are found in the park, which is 600 species. The park is home to a range of fountains, monuments, and other features, such as the Japanese garden as well as a pond that is brimming with water lilies as well as the brand new Museu do Meio Ambiente, which features exhibitions that are focused on the natural world.
7. Sugarloaf Mountain
The mountain rises 400m (1,300 feet) above the entrance to Guanabara Bai, Sugarloaf mountain is a monolith made up of granite and quartz that can be climbed by an uni-directional cable car, also known as “bondinho” or “teleferico”.
The cable car runs every 20 minutes from the bottom of Babilonia hill, before climbing to the summit of the Morro da Urca hill. Visitors are able to use a second cable car up to the summit of the mountain.
8. Ipanema
The beach that was immortalized in the song bossa nova “The Girl from Ipanema” in the 1960s is one of Rio’s most sought-after tourist spots of today. An expansive, arcing stretch of white sand with soft, the rolling waves Ipanema consistently ranks at the top of “Best Beaches in the World” lists each year. The beach is surrounded by a well-organized grid of stores cafés, restaurants and cafes along with a myriad of theaters, art galleries and nightclubs.
In the upscale South Zone, or “Zona Sul”, Ipanema lies between the beaches of Copacabana and Leblon. Posts, or “postos” mark off the beach into distinct sections with different kinds of people are likely to gather in the various areas. Families are attracted to the area between posts 11 and 12, and the area around post 9 is a favorite for sunbathers as well as free-wheeling artists.
9. Copacabana
The city is segregated by Ipanema towards the west the surfers’ favorite Arpoador beach Copacabana
It offers a much more lively vibe than its well-known neighbor. Rio locals, referred to as “cariocas,” always seem to be playing volleyball or soccer on the go and the vendors are loudly selling their beverages and snacks at the kiosks along the beach.
Fort Copacabana, a military base with a museum of wartime which is open to all visitors, is located at the end of the shoreline. On the beach, which runs along the front of to the fort, fisherman put their catch of the day to be sold.
Cariocas and tourists alike love to walk on the promenade, which borders the 4km (2.5 miles) length of beach. The promenade was first constructed in the 1930s the promenade features waves and is set with white and black stone. Beyond the promenade are densely-packed multistoried apartments and hotels.
10. Christ the Redeemer
The statue is perched on the 710-meter (2,330 feet) highest point at the top of Corcovado Peak, the statue of “Cristo Redentor” stands with arms stretched out, looking serenely at the city. The statue was built in 1922 in the heyday of the Art Deco movement, and the statue of soapstone and concrete is thought to be the largest statue of the genre worldwide.
The majority of visitors use an upward cog train to get to the base of the mountain. From there visitors to the memorial were once required to climb up hundreds of steps to climb to the summit. Nowadays elevators and escalators have been made accessible to speed up the trip!