Visit Rio de Janeiro: what are the best things to do and see in the most famous city of Brazil?
For you, Rio may only be his Carnival , its beach of Copacabana, its Redeemer Christ or one of the host cities of the Football World Cup and the Olympic Games... Even if we can’t detach these events and places from the image we make of the Cidade Maravilhosa , they are part of the landscape carioca . But Rio is not just about that. There are many things to see and do in this world-famous city. Whether they are tourists or not, these activities are immanquable!
1. Christ Redeemer of Rio
Flickr – David Berkowitz
This is one of the city’s symbols. This huge statue of the Cristo Redentor is pierced arms stretched on the mountain Corcovado at 710 meters above the city carioca . You will learn more about the Christ of Rio by reading a few anecdotes about him. You will also find more information in our article for visit Christ Redeemer .
2. The beaches of Rio
Going to the beach is a must-see activity in Rio to sunbath and swim. You won't miss the beach Copacabana Of course, although it is black in the summer (early year in Brazil) and as soon as the mercury climbs above 20-25°C. You only have the neighbourhood Arpoador to cross to go to the page Ipanema made famous thanks to the song The Girl From Ipanema . Other interesting beaches of Rio include Leblon and Barra da Tijuca . 
Wikimedia - Mteixeira62
3. Le Pain de Sucre or Pão de Açúcar
About 400 metres above the mouth of Guanabara Bay, the Sugar bread is a visible monolith from many places in Rio that you can "visit" by going on its summit by a cable car to the glass walls called " bondinho or " teleférico ". The cable car leaves every 20 minutes from the base Morro da Babilônia (colline) and then climb to the top of Morro da Urca hill. From there you can take a second cable car to the top of the Pão which will offer you a 360° view of Rio, the bay and the ocean.
4. Lapa neighbourhood
Flickr – Rodrigo_Soldon
Lapa is the lively district of the centre of Rio, this is where the Nightlife is the most effervescent. It is an excellent place to drink a caipirinha by listening to choro or of samba . It is also a pleasant area to discover because there are several interesting places like the Fundição Progresso , arches de Lapa ( Arcos da Lapa ) or the Escadaria Selarón (Stairs of the artist Jorge Selarón, 250 steps of all colors, see picture below).
5. The Jardim Botânico and the Parque Lage
Located west of Lagoa district, Botanical garden of Rio de Janeiro houses more than 8,000 species of plants. Built in the early 1800s, the garden has many adult specimens, including avenues lined with gigantic palm trees. It also comes to see the 600 species of orchids. The garden also has monuments, fountains, etc... like a Japanese garden, a pond filled with nenuphars and the new Museu do Meio Ambiente, which displays exhibitions that emphasize the environment. One of the garden attractions is Parque Lage which showcases a beautiful home dating from 1840 whose style is unique and surprising. The house was designed by an Italian architect and the motifs created by an English landscaper. 
Flickr – Rodrigo_Soldon
6. Football
Rio is a city of futebol with no less than seven teams in the same city. Four important clubs really fight the carioca championship every year. If you're going to Rio during the championship season, learn for visit the Maracanã stadium or attending a game in one of the stadiums City.
7. Churrascarias and feijoada
Aunt Brazil , you can not miss local culinary specialties. Enjoy being in Rio to eat in one churrascaria , that is, a restaurant where you are used for the very good meat (at will or not) cooked at the barbecue. Try it picanha a popular beef piece here. Taste also feijoada , a dish based on black beans (feijão: beans in Portuguese), rice and pork meat.
8. Santa Teresa district
Flickr – greg.road.trip
Perched on a hill overlooking the bay of Rio, the district of Santa Teresa invites you to go back in time and discover the disappeared elegance of the 19th century plantation houses and its paved streets. The neighbourhood escaped development until 1896 until an aqueduct was built, linking the neighbourhood to the city. It was a refuge for artists, musicians and writers of the 20th century, and although clubs and fashion boutiques have since caught up in the neighborhood, it still retains a friendly colonial atmosphere. Really close, the Real Gabinete Português library of Leitura, one of the most beautiful in the world , and monastery of São Bento , worth the detour.
How to get to Rio de Janeiro?
Find cheap flights on our partner's website Skyscanner .
Where to sleep in Rio de Janeiro?
It is important before going to visit Rio to choose its own area where to stay . To find a cheap hotel in Rio de Janeiro, search this Compare hotels .
Do you know Rio? What did you prefer in this city? What else did you see?
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