Touristic spots in the city of Rio de Janeiro

Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer)

This is one of the main beauty spots in the city, standing 710 m (2,330 feet) above sea level and providing a sweeping, spectacular panoramic view of sea and mountains. The mountain is crowned with the statue of Christ, 38 m (125 ft) high with a 8 m (26) ft pedestal containing a chapel that can hold 150 people. The top of the Corcovado can be reached by electric train or car. (Railroad station is located at Rua Cosme Velho, 513; (T) +55 21 2558-1329; visiting hours: daily 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM.)

Pão de açúcar (Sugar Loaf)

This symbol of Rio de Janeiro can be seen at the entrance to Guanabara Bay. There are two stages in the cable car trip to the top of the rock. The first is from the station at Praia Vermelha to Urca Hill, which rises 220 m (720 ft) above the bay, and the second links Urca Hill to the top of Sugar Loaf, 396 m (1,300 ft) high. Each stage lasts three minutes. There is also a tourist heliport located on the top of Urca Hill for tourists wishing to see Rio from the air. (Cable car station is at Avenida Pasteur, 520; (T) +55 21 2546-8400; visiting hours: daily 8:00 AM to 10 PM.)

Lapa arches and Santa Teresa district

Located in the historic center of Rio, the Lapa arches are the most monumental work undertaken in colonial times. This magnificent structure contains 42 arches in two tiers. Originally built as an aqueduct to supply the city with water, today they carry another outstanding attraction: the scenic tramlines linking the Carioca Station downtown to the picturesque Santa Teresa district, a vibrant artistic community, with a great range of bars, restaurants, museums, cultural centers and art studios.

Municipal Theater

Designed and built by Albert Guilbert and Francisco de Oliveira Passos, the opera theater was inaugurated in July 14, 1909. The main murals were painted by Eliseu Visconti; the ceiling and back drop are works of Rodolfo Amoedo. Henrique Bernadelli made the mosaics. (Praça Floriano, downtown; (T) +55 21 2544-2900; guided tours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM.)

Tijuca Forest

Tijuca National Park is the largest recreational area in Rio, covering 3,300 hectares and including Tijuca Forest. The park is the largest urban forest in the world. As you look up at the Corcovado from Lagoa, the mass of greenery clinging to the edge of the mountain and stretching miles to your left is the Tijuca National Park. Roads run through the entire length of the park allowing visitors to enjoy its many natural wonders. At weekend some of the routes become pedestrian ways only.

Beaches

Rio de Janeiro has 90 km of white sand beaches, the most interesting being Copacabana, Arpoador, Leme, Ipanema, Leblon, Vermelha, São Conrado, Barra da Tijuca, Recreio dos Bandeirantes, Prainha, Grumari and Macumba.

Nearby tourist places worth visiting

Costa Verde (Green Coast)

The Green Coast region includes Angra dos Reis, Ilha Grande, Paraty, among other seaside resort cities. It discloses countless paradisiacal islands, coves, beaches and mountains in a stunning scenario combining the contrasting colors of the local sea and a dense rain forest. The Green Coast is the perfect setting for nautical sports, deep-sea fishing and all-day boat tours.

Serra Verde Imperial (Imperial Green Mountain)

The so-called Imperial Green Mountain is a region of privileged weather, good restaurants, with the charm of the former imperial city, Petropolis. Going up the mountains is always a pleasure, all year-round. The climate is always an invitation to experience the pleasures of the good food found at local restaurants and homely inns. Winter festivals are great cultural events every year. Trails in an exuberant rain forest lead to rivers and waterfalls of extraordinary beauty.

Vale do Café (Coffee Plantation Valley)

This rural area in the surroundings of cities such as Vassouras, Valença and Conservatória in the state of Rio de Janeiro offers the scenery of big colonial mansions (casas grandes) and former slave houses (senzalas) in historical farms used for growing coffee in the past, constituting a rich cultural heritage worth visiting and exploring.

Agulhas Negras (Black Needles Mountain)

The Agulhas Negras region (cities of Mauá, Itatiaia and Agulhas Negras) is one of most precious ecological sanctuaries of the sate of Rio de Janeiro. The European culture is present in its local gastronomy. It contains the Itatiaia National Park. A diverse fauna and flora are found in the region.

Costa do Sol (Gold Coast)

The Gold Coast region (Búzios, Cabo Frio, Araruama, among others) offers hundreds of wonderful beaches and lagoons. It is a perfect destination for aquatic sports. The Gold Coast is a place of gourmet restaurants and elegant cafes.