What to do in Rio

Here are some of our favorite things to do in Rio — do what we do. The city is at its best when mountains, beach, and food all blur together, and we hope you get a little of that while you're here with us.

Aerial view of Christ the Redeemer with Dois Irmãos and the city below
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Get outside

Adventures & views

Christ the Redeemer seen from directly above, arms outstretched over the crowd

Best view

Helicopter with Nobre

Our favorite way to see Christ the Redeemer. Go on a clear day.

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Sugarloaf view over Rio with Christ the Redeemer in the distance

Classic

Sugarloaf

The cable car view is worth it, especially near sunset.

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Imperial palm crowns against a deep blue sky at the Botanical Garden

Garden

Botanical Garden

Calm, green, and easy to combine with Lagoa or lunch nearby.

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Tandem hang glider soaring above the São Conrado shoreline

São Conrado

Tandem Fly Rio

Paragliding or hang gliding with Mahmoud Azim. He speaks English.

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Water skiing on the Lagoa at sunset with Dois Irmãos and Pedra da Gávea behind

Lagoa

Waterski with Marquinhos

Waterski on Lagoa under Christ the Redeemer with Marquinhos.

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Pedra da Gávea seen from the Pedra Bonita trail

Hike

Pedra Bonita

The best big-view hike without turning it into an all-day plan.

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Parque Lage palace in the sun with the Corcovado cliff behind

Garden

Parque Lage

A beautiful stop below Christ, easy to pair with Jardim Botânico.

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Waves at Ipanema beach with Dois Irmãos at sunset

Ipanema / Leblon

Beach and bike route

Ipanema and Leblon are the default beaches. Bike Itaú or Whoosh works well for the orla and Lagoa.

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Explore

Culture & classics

Colorful tiled steps of the Escadaria Selarón

Lapa

Selarón Steps

Selarón's tiled staircase between Lapa and Santa Teresa. Go in the morning, keep your phone tucked away, and stay aware — it's a busier area.

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Night crowd at the Pedra do Sal street samba

Mondays

Pedra do Sal samba

Free street samba on the spot where samba was born. Monday night is the classic — go with a group, keep your phone put away, and stay alert.

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The yellow Santa Teresa tram on its tracks

Near the venue

Santa Teresa & the bonde

The hilltop neighborhood around our venue. Ride the yellow bonde tram and stop at Parque das Ruínas for the view.

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The winged structure of the Museu do Amanhã over its reflecting pool

Centro

Museu do Amanhã

Calatrava's science museum on the revamped waterfront. Pair it with a walk around Praça Mauá.

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The saucer-shaped MAC Niterói on its clifftop over Guanabara Bay, with Christ the Redeemer in the distance

Niterói

MAC Niterói

Niemeyer's flying-saucer museum perched above Guanabara Bay — the view back toward Rio steals the show. Take the ferry from Praça XV and make an afternoon of it.

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The stained-glass hall of Confeitaria Colombo seen from the balcony

Centro

Confeitaria Colombo

A belle époque coffee hall from 1894. Easy to combine with the Selarón Steps and a walk through Centro.

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Eat

Restaurants

Steaks and sides at Mocellin Steakhouse

Barra da Tijuca

Mocellin Steakhouse

If you only do one Brazilian steakhouse, do this one. Try the shoulder and Denver steak.

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Steak and sides at Malta Beef Club

Leblon

Malta Beef Club

Best with five or more people so you can order maminha, Denver steak, and A4 ribeye.

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Sliced picanha on a metal platter at Braseiro da Gávea

Gávea

Braseiro da Gávea

Order the picanha ao braseiro for three to four people. No reservations; go when it opens.

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Fresh lobsters, king crab, and oysters on ice at Satyricon

Ipanema

Satyricon

Rio's classic seafood house since 1986. Go for the fresh fish and the oyster bar.

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Dining room at Gajos d'Ouro with azulejo tiles and a wine wall

Ipanema

Gajos d'Ouro

Traditional Portuguese cooking — bacalhau, octopus, and old-school service.

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Breakfast spread at Talho Capixaba with pão de queijo, papaya, and coffee

Leblon

Talho Capixaba

Bakery and pastry stop for coffee or snacks.

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Turquoise water and Dois Irmãos seen from the Arpoador rock

Arpoador

Arp bar de praia

Breakfast with a view by Arpoador.

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BB Lanches corner storefront in Leblon

Leblon

BB Lanches

Classic juice and snack bar in Leblon. Heads up: cash only.

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The bar at Elena in Horto

Horto

Elena

The more planned night of the two sushi spots — book ahead and stay for the bar.

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San Leblon's dark dining room under a canopy of cherry blossoms

Leblon

San Leblon

Easy, great sushi if you are already in Leblon.

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Go out

Bars & beach clubs

Golden-hour crowd at Soga Beach with Pedra da Gávea behind

São Conrado

Soga Beach

Beach club energy on Praia do Pepino.

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Boteco Belmonte's corner terrace in Leblon

Leblon

Boteco Belmonte

Classic busy boteco for beers, snacks, and a casual night.

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The bar and benches at Bosque Bar in Gávea

Gávea

Bosque Bar

The more nightlife-style option in Gávea.

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Kites flying over Barra beach with the Tijucas islands offshore

Barra

K08 Kite Club

An active beach day in Barra if you want wind, water, and space.

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Confetti falling over the crowd at Rock in Rio

Sep 4-13

Rock in Rio

Rock in Rio overlaps the wedding week. Sep 4 has Foo Fighters; Sep 6 has Black Eyed Peas and Calvin Harris; Sep 7 has Elton John and Gilberto Gil. The second weekend brings Maroon 5, Jamiroquai, and Mumford & Sons.

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