15 BEST Things to do in Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷 What to do in Brazil | Travel Guide & Tips

26 places in this vlog

In the order they appear. Tap a time to play it here, or ↗ to open YouTube at that second.

1. 0:37

   Sugarloaf Mountain

   🏢 Landmark · Urca

   Sunset from the summit is the highlight; there is food, a rainforest walk and helicopter rides at the top.

2. 1:13

   Christ the Redeemer

   🏢 Landmark · Corcovado

   Take the earliest trains, because the summit gets packed as the day goes on.

3. 1:34

   Corcovado Rack Railway

   🚡 Activity · Cosme Velho

   Trains leave every 20 minutes; buy tickets ahead, as they sell out in peak season.

4. 2:07

   Copacabana Beach

   🏢 Landmark · Copacabana · brief mention

   Vendors sell shrimp skewers, corn, coconut water and caipirinhas; keep valuables in a waterproof case.

5. 2:07

   Ipanema Beach

   🏢 Landmark · Ipanema · brief mention

   Gets more crowded as the day goes on.

6. 2:07

   Leblon Beach

   🏢 Landmark · Leblon · brief mention

7. 2:07

   Barra da Tijuca Beach

   🏢 Landmark · Barra da Tijuca · brief mention

8. 2:47

   Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden

   🌳 Park · Jardim Botânico

   Don't miss the Japanese garden, the Amazonian section, the bee sanctuary and the famous row of giant palms.

9. 3:30

   Dois Irmãos

   🏢 Landmark · Vidigal

   A hike for jaw-dropping views of the city.

10. 3:51

    Pedra da Gávea

    🥾 Hike · São Conrado

    The hike is considered challenging and the heights are not for the faint of heart.

11. 4:04

    Hang Gliding from Pedra Bonita

    🚡 Activity · São Conrado

    Bring plenty of water and watch your step, as the mountains have sudden drops.

12. 4:24

    Lapa

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Lapa

    Described as offering a more authentic experience of Rio.

13. 4:33

    Selarón Steps

    🏢 Landmark · Lapa

14. 4:44

    Lapa Arches

    🏛️ Historic site · Lapa

15. 5:00

    Mirante Dona Marta

    🏢 Landmark · Botafogo

    Get there by taxi or Uber, then take a short hike through the forest and up some stairs.

16. 5:22

    Flamengo Park

    🌳 Park · Flamengo

    A favourite with bird watchers.

17. 5:45

    Museum of Modern Art of Rio de Janeiro (MAM Rio)

    🏛️ Museum · Flamengo Park · brief mention

18. 6:05

    Museum of Tomorrow

    🏛️ Museum · Centro · brief mention

19. 6:07

    National Historical Museum

    🏛️ Museum · Centro · brief mention

20. 6:10

    Fort Copacabana

    🏛️ Historic site · Copacabana · brief mention

21. 6:10

    Aerospace Museum (Museu Aeroespacial)

    🏛️ Museum · Campo dos Afonsos · brief mention

22. 6:13

    Brazilian National Team Museum (Museu Seleção Brasileira)

    🏛️ Museum · Barra da Tijuca · brief mention

23. 6:19

    Maracanã Stadium

    🏢 Landmark · Maracanã

    You can watch a match or take a tour of the stadium.

24. 7:00

    Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí

    🏢 Landmark · Cidade Nova

    Buy parade tickets early, as they sell out quickly.

25. 7:24

    Tijuca Forest

    🌳 Park · Tijuca

    A guided tour is suggested to protect yourself from pickpockets and crime.

26. 7:53

    Lagoa

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Lagoa