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Brazil · City guide
What to do in Rio de Janeiro
16 vlogs from 14 channels mention 100 places in Rio de Janeiro; 7 of them appear in at least half of the vlogs. Places are ranked by how often the vlogs mention them. Press the play button on any place to watch that exact moment.
- 100places
- 16vlogs
- 266moments
- 5 hof video
100 places · most mentioned first
Christ the Redeemer
World-famous statue of Christ with outstretched arms atop Corcovado mountain, overlooking all of Rio from the waterfront to the hillside favelas.
6:53· Leesh Brockin 15 vlogsIpanema Beach
Lively beach known for people-watching, volleyball and sunsets seen from the rocks at its end, with street parties around Carnaval and New Year.
29:16· Love Always, M+Ein 14 vlogsSelarón Steps
Colorful mosaic staircase by artist Jorge Selarón, with tiles from around the world, linking bohemian Santa Teresa to Lapa. Crowded by day, so go early.
16:05· Love Always, M+Ein 14 vlogsSugarloaf Mountain
Rio's most iconic peak, reached by cable car and popular at sunset, with panoramic views over the city, bay and beaches.
4:02· Juan Marcel & Rhylanin 13 vlogsCopacabana Beach
Rio's most talked-about beach, drawing people from all walks of life to its sand and promenade, and host of a huge New Year's Eve party.
15:19· Chews to Explorein 12 vlogsTijuca Forest
Vast urban rainforest covering the mountains around Corcovado in the heart of Rio.
2:31· Chews to Explorein 8 vlogsMaracanã Stadium
Rio's legendary football stadium, a monument to Brazil's national obsession with the sport.
15:09· Before You Goin 7 vlogsMuseum of Tomorrow
A futuristic science museum on the waterfront, set in a revitalized area with shops and boats nearby.
19:22· Chews to Explorein 6 vlogsMetropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian
Rio's main cathedral, an unconventional cone-shaped building modeled after a Mayan temple.
6:04· Before You Goin 5 vlogsRio de Janeiro Botanical Garden
Tranquil garden founded in 1808 by King John VI of Portugal, with over 6,500 plant species and an orchidarium of 600 orchid species.
Lapa Arches
An 18th-century aqueduct built to supply the city with water, now crossed by the Santa Teresa tram in an area alive at night with samba.
11:02· Island Hopper TVin 5 vlogsDois Irmãos
Twin peaks rising at the end of Ipanema Beach that define its skyline, with a hiking trail reached through Vidigal.
14:26· Before You Goin 5 vlogsIpanema Hippie Fair
Sunday open-air crafts fair in Ipanema, a good spot to shop for souvenirs.
Santa Teresa
Bohemian hillside neighborhood at the top of the Selarón Steps.
19:13· Leesh Brockin 4 vlogsBarra da Tijuca Beach
Long beach popular for people-watching and games of beach volleyball with locals.
0:52· touropiain 4 vlogsLeblon Beach
A lively upscale beach in Leblon lined with mosaic-tiled promenades, crowded with locals and beach umbrellas.
1:45· Chews to Explorein 4 vlogsRocinha
Rio's largest favela, set on a steep hillside. Guided tours explore its streets and viewpoints.
11:30· Leesh Brockin 4 vlogsLagoa Rodrigo de Freitas
Serene freshwater lagoon linked to the sea by a canal, offering stand-up paddleboarding, cycling and birdwatching.
Santa Teresa Tram (Bondinho)
Historic tram known as the bondinho, running over the Lapa Arches up to Santa Teresa.
4:10· Love Always, M+Ein 4 vlogsConfeitaria Colombo
Historic Belle Époque and Art Nouveau café with huge Belgian mirrors, often called one of the world's most beautiful; the brigadeiro is the sweet to order.
Pedra da Gávea
One of Rio's most difficult hikes, climbing through Tijuca rainforest to a summit with dramatic cliff-edge views.
5:36· Mark and Asyain 4 vlogsTheatro Municipal
Eclectic-style municipal theater on the historic Cinelândia square.
Pedra do Telégrafo
A hike to a rock viewpoint famous for photos that appear to show people hanging off a cliff edge; expect queues for the shot.
23:42· Chews to Explorein 3 vlogsMirante Dona Marta
A hilltop viewpoint known as one of Rio's best sunrise spots, looking over mountains, lagoon and Christ the Redeemer.
7:01· Chews to Explorein 3 vlogsCopacabana and Ipanema Boardwalks (Calçadão)
Iconic seaside promenades along Copacabana and Ipanema, tied to the rich musical heritage that grew up along these shores.
9:23· touropiain 3 vlogsFort Copacabana
Historic coastal fort built in 1914 to protect Rio's coastline, now home to the Army Historical Museum, with sweeping views over the beach and the Atlantic.
1:39· Jumping Placesin 3 vlogsArpoador Beach
Surfer-favourite beach separating Ipanema from Copacabana, with a popular sunset spot on the rocks.
2:00· Jumping Placesin 3 vlogsIlha Grande
Island off the coast of Rio de Janeiro state, a popular next stop after Rio.
14:34· Jumping Placesin 3 vlogsHang Gliding from Pedra Bonita
Tandem hang-gliding flight from a Tijuca forest peak over the ocean, with views of Christ the Redeemer, the favelas and the coast.
0:57· Mark and Asyain 3 vlogsSambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí
Purpose-built parade venue hosting Rio Carnival's main samba school parades with elaborate floats and costumed dancers.
7:00· Go Places with Tati & Brennanin 3 vlogsCorcovado Rack Railway
Historic cog train that climbs through the forest to the Christ the Redeemer statue, with scenic views on the way up.
0:46· Love Always, M+Ein 3 vlogsNational Museum of Fine Arts
Art museum showing works by some of Brazil's greatest artists and the Portuguese influence on the city.
Guanabara Bay
The large bay Rio is built around, known for spectacular sunsets.
5:44· Expediain 2 vlogsNational Historical Museum
Museum near the port covering Brazil's history from pre-colonial times, in a building once part of the city's defenses.
4:11· Expediain 2 vlogsPlage Café
A café inside Parque Lage's mansion courtyard, famous for photos, with gardens full of tall trees and monkeys.
10:09· Chews to Explorein 2 vlogsPedra do Sal
A historic spot linked to the birth of samba that hosts a lively street party with live music, dancing, food and drinks.
16:18· Leesh Brockin 2 vlogsParque das Ruínas
A ruined mansion turned cultural park with an art gallery, concert space and one of the best views of Sugarloaf Mountain.
9:57· Love Always, M+Ein 2 vlogsLagoa
Exclusive Zona Sul neighbourhood surrounding the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon, with open-air cafes and restaurants along the shore.
7:53· Go Places with Tati & Brennanin 2 vlogsRio Star
Latin America's tallest Ferris wheel at about 377 feet, with spacious gondolas and bird's-eye views over Rio.
16:05· Before You Goin 2 vlogsParque Lage
Park with gardens and a photogenic mansion, now an art school and cultural centre, set beneath Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer.
4:44· Before You Goin 2 vlogsRoyal Portuguese Reading Room
Ornate library with over 350,000 volumes and a lavish interior, often called the most beautiful library in the world.
6:33· Before You Goin 2 vlogsArraial do Cabo
Coastal town about 164 km from Rio, known for turquoise water and many beaches that can be explored on foot, on hikes or by boat tour.
2:28· Island Hopper TVin 2 vlogsMuseum of Modern Art of Rio de Janeiro (MAM Rio)
Free modern art museum in a modernist building, showcasing well-curated works by Brazilian artists.
18:45· Love Always, M+Ein 2 vlogsFeira da Glória
Sunday street market selling clothes, jewelry and lots of freshly made street food.
32:09· Love Always, M+Ein 2 vlogsBotafogo
Famous bohemian neighborhood full of bars with outdoor seating.
7:48· Travelling With Conin 2 vlogs
Mentioned once
54 more picks, each from a single vlog, so not ranked.
Prainha
Surf beach inside a protected ecological park, free of high-rise hotels and a contrast to Rio's urban beaches.
2:58· Expedia1 vlogCinelândia
Historic square in the heart of the city, home to the eclectic Municipal Theater and the National Museum of Fine Arts.
3:47· Expedia1 vlogQuinta da Boa Vista
Elegant park with formal gardens surrounding the former Imperial Palace, home of Brazilian royalty before the republic.
4:32· Expedia1 vlogCascatinha Taunay
A waterfall in Tijuca National Park that cascades down a series of rocks. A tunnel leads to the viewing spot.
2:53· Chews to Explore1 vlogYayá Comidaria
A Black woman-owned restaurant serving Afro-Brazilian cuisine with complex, bold flavours.
5:29· Chews to Explore1 vlogBB Lanches
A casual Leblon juice and snack bar serving fresh juices, pão de queijo and breakfast pastries.
22:45· Chews to Explore1 vlogRio by Bike
Guided bike tours covering Copacabana, Botafogo, Flamengo, Glória and Centro, with photo stops and local anecdotes along the way.
Babilônia and Chapéu Mangueira
Hillside favela communities above Leme with plenty of street art, plus a hike up Chapéu Mangueira hill with great city views.
São João Batista Cemetery
A cemetery with intricate graves and mausoleums, the resting place of Brazilian presidents, aviators, poets and celebrities.
Praça Mauá
A plaza in central Rio on the edge of Guanabara Bay with street performers, food stands and live music.
Amazônia Soul
An açaí spot that bills itself as serving the world's best açaí. It serves creamy, not overly sweet bowls in the city where açaí is a staple.
Aprazível
A highly rated Brazilian restaurant set in a country-home style setting in the hills. It serves locally sourced cachaça cocktails.
Mayrink Chapel
Small pink chapel inside Tijuca National Park, one of the park's attractions along with its waterfalls.
4:09· touropia1 vlogSão Conrado Beach
Beach where hang gliders land, with clear blue water and fewer crowds than Ipanema or Copacabana.
1:40· Mark and Asya1 vlogSanta Marta Favela
Rio's first pacified favela, with brightly painted houses; Michael Jackson filmed 'They Don't Care About Us' here.
10:00· Before You Go1 vlogAquaRio
South America's largest aquarium, with over 8,000 animals of 350+ species, touch tanks and a tunnel through the ocean tank.
11:24· Before You Go1 vlogEtnias Mural by Eduardo Kobra
Eduardo Kobra's enormous mural on the Olympic Boulevard, created for the 2016 Olympics and billed as the world's largest street-art mural.
12:04· Before You Go1 vlogAssador Rio's
Unlimited-meat churrascaria where waiters bring meats to the table, with a scenic waterfront view.
12:52· Leesh Brock1 vlogChurrascaria Palace
Long-running Copacabana churrascaria serving rodízio-style grilled meats carved at the table.
13:21· Leesh Brock1 vlogMirante do Leblon
Lookout at the end of Leblon offering a beautiful view down over Leblon beach and the Zona Sul coastline.
5:15· Island Hopper TV1 vlogParque Garota de Ipanema
Small park named after the song 'The Girl from Ipanema', located at the Ipanema end of the beach.
6:52· Island Hopper TV1 vlogUrca
Charming bayside neighbourhood known for nightlife, fine dining and the Mureta da Urca waterfront walkway with lovely sunset views.
8:42· Island Hopper TV1 vlogCandelária Church
Grand church whose construction began in 1775 and continued until the late 19th century.
11:54· Island Hopper TV1 vlogBasilica of Our Lady of Penha
Hilltop church offering great views over the city. It is beautifully lit at night.
12:56· Island Hopper TV1 vlogBar do Mineiro
Eclectic Santa Teresa institution famous for its feijoada, Brazil's black bean and pork stew, plus crispy pastéis.
6:28· Love Always, M+E1 vlogBar Urca
Iconic neighbourhood bar where people sit along the waterfront with fried snacks at sunset.
37:22· Love Always, M+E1 vlogLeme Fort (Forte Duque de Caxias)
Fort on a rocky hill at the Leme end of Copacabana with sweeping views of the beach and mountains, plus a museum and resident monkeys.
1:15· Jumping Places1 vlogPorto Maravilha
Port district renovated for the 2016 Olympics, with bay views, street art and huge murals.
5:38· Jumping Places1 vlogPaço Imperial
Colonial palace in the city center that served as a residence of the royal family from the 1700s.
6:15· Jumping Places1 vlogPico da Tijuca
One of the highest points in Rio, inside Tijuca National Park, with stunning panoramic views.
8:50· Jumping Places1 vlogVidigal
Hillside favela often visited by tourists, with restaurants at the top known for incredible coastal views.
9:01· Jumping Places1 vlogGrumari
Protected area of untouched beaches in Rio's far west, some reachable only by boat or nature trail, along a scenic coastal road.
10:21· Jumping Places1 vlogCosta Verde
The Green Coast, a stretch of lush tropical mountains, untouched beaches, waterfalls and quaint villages.
12:04· Jumping Places1 vlogParaty
Well-preserved 1500s Portuguese colonial town with cobbled streets, famous for cachaça and boat tours to secluded bays.
12:27· Jumping Places1 vlogSaco do Mamanguá
Narrow inlet near Paraty, often described as the world's only tropical fjord, visited by boat tour.
13:28· Jumping Places1 vlogRegião dos Lagos
Lakes Region east of Rio, with ultra-white sand beaches and Caribbean-like turquoise waters.
16:01· Jumping Places1 vlogCabo Frio
Developed coastal city with the huge white Praia do Forte, the 1600s Bairro da Passagem settlement, and Peró and Conchas beaches.
16:31· Jumping Places1 vlogBúzios
Upscale peninsula beach destination with amazing beaches and many small bays.
16:58· Jumping Places1 vlogPetrópolis
The Imperial City, the royal family's summer retreat, with European-style architecture, an imperial museum and chocolate shops.
17:45· Jumping Places1 vlogTeresópolis
Mountain town with dramatic landscapes, including the Dedo de Deus peak, plus a national park with trails and waterfalls.
18:34· Jumping Places1 vlogNova Friburgo
The 'Switzerland of Brazil', settled by Swiss immigrants in the early 1800s, with European architecture and an old cable car to a viewpoint.
18:58· Jumping Places1 vlogFlamengo Park
One of the world's largest seaside parks, with beaches, lakes, sports courts, a skate park and coconut and mango trees.
Aerospace Museum (Museu Aeroespacial)
Rio's aviation and aerospace museum in Campo dos Afonsos.
Brazilian National Team Museum (Museu Seleção Brasileira)
Museum dedicated to the history of Brazil's national football team.
Copacabana
Lively Zona Sul neighbourhood packed with bars and restaurants, and one of the most popular bases for visitors to Rio.
Ipanema
Upscale Zona Sul neighbourhood with posh, fancy streets, sitting between Copacabana and Leblon.
Leblon
Affluent Zona Sul neighbourhood with elegant streets and some English-style buildings.
Centro
Rio's downtown historic centre, nicer than São Paulo's, and pleasant to explore during the day.
La Bicicletta
Breakfast spot in Leblon, handy before a day on the nearby beach.
5:55· Leesh Brock1 vlogBravo
Coffee spot right next to the Glória Sunday market, convenient for a caffeine stop before browsing the stalls.
9:03· Leesh Brock1 vlogSanta Clara 33
Six-story mall packed with bikini and beachwear shops, also selling sarongs.
18:35· Leesh Brock1 vlog