What to do
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Downtown
This is the place where you can find pretty much everything about the traditional Rio, the
culture, the economics, the history. You can visit the XV Square, where you can take the
ferryboat to Niterói or visit the residence of the emperors, or maybe visit the Municipal
Theatre, to see a breathtaking architecture or even a marvelous play with its own opera.
Lapa
(MetrôRio - Cinelândia Station)
The neighborhood in Rio that has the most variety of
musical styles (samba, forró, MPB, blues and more
recently, electronic music and rock). Famous for its
nightlife,
one
of
the
striking features
of
the
neighborhood is the harmony between the most diverse
urban tribes. For the major pathways, Av. Mem de Sá, Riachuelo Street
and Lavradio, spread attractions such as the Sala Cecilia Meireles, that is
considered the best concert of chamber music existing in Rio, The
Public Promenade, the National School of Music and the Church of Our
Lady of Lapa do Desterro. It hosts Arcos da Lapa (Carioca Aqueduct),
which was built in the middle of the 18th century to bring fresh water
from the Carioca river to the population of the city. A bondinho (tram)
leaves from a station at Lapa, crosses the aqueduct (converted to a tram
viaduct in 1896) and rambles through the hilly streets of the Santa
Teresa neighbourhood.
National Library
(MetrôRio - Cinelândia Station)
The
Biblioteca
Nacional
is
the
storage
of
the
bibliographic and documentary heritage of Brazil. It is the
world’s seventh larger library and Latin America’s
number one and its collection includes over 9 million
items. The library was inaugurated when the Portuguese royal family arrived in Brazil.
Address: Av. Rio Branco, 219, Centro (Cinelândia) – Rio de Janeiro 20040-008.
Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cristianodexter/389625559/
National Fine Arts Museum
(MetrôRio - Cinelândia Station)
The Museu Nacional de Belas Artes has 16 thousand works of art
among painting, sculpture, drawings and engraving. Artists
represented include: Frans Post, Nicolas-Antoine Taunay, Jean
Baptiste Debret, Félix Taunay, Victor Meirelles, Pedro Américo,
Almeida Júnior, Rodolfo Amoedo, Zeferino da Costa, Rodolfo
Bernardelli, Eliseu Visconti, Candido Portinari, Djanira, Tarsila
do Amaral, Emiliano Di Cavalcanti, Oswaldo Goeldi, Cícero
Dias, Lasar Segall, Amílcar de Castro, Louis Eugène Boudin and Pablo Picasso. Address: Av.
Rio
Branco,
199
-
Centro
(Cinelândia),
Rio
de
Janeiro,
20040-008.
Photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ingridmacieira/4075782387/
Modern Art Museum
Built in 1953, this is the Museu de Arte Moderna by Affonso
Eduardo Reidy in Flamengo Park, Rio de Janeiro. Roberto
Burle Marx was the landscape architect. The modern style
building sits in the middle of gardens near downtown. The
park is crucial for transitioning the horizontal concrete to the
ocean and to the city. It holds 10 thousand pieces including Brazilian photography, works of
Anita Malfati, Di Cavalcanti, among many others. Address: Avenida Infante Dom Henrique,
85 - Parque do Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro 20021-140.
National Historical Museum
(MetrôRio - Cinelândia Station)
The National Historical Museum of Brazil, created in
1922, is one of the most important historical museums
in Brazil, consisting of over 287,000 items, among
which the largest numismatic collection of Latin
America. The architectonic complex that houses the
museum had its beginning with the construction of Santiago Fort, at the Calaboose Point, one
of the strategic places for the defense of the city. Address: Rua da Misericórdia, s/n - Rio de
Janeiro , 20021-250.
Municipal Theater
(MetrôRio - Cinelândia Station)
One of the most beautiful downtown’s buildings, the
Municipal Theater was founded in July 1909. The building is
designed in eclectic style, inspired by the Paris Opera,
designed by Charles Garnier. The house has almost 1,700
seats distributed on four levels. Address: Praca Marechal
Floriano, Rio de Janeiro – Centro (Cinelândia).
Candelária Church
(MetrôRio - Cinelândia Station)
The Candelária Church is an important historical church in the
city of Rio de Janeiro. It was built and decorated during a long
period (1775 to the end of the 19th century) and combines a
Baroque façade with a Neoclassical and Neo-Renaissance inner
decoration. Address: Rua Candelária, 81, Centro - Rio de
Janeiro 20091-020.
Colombo’s Coffee Shop
(MetrôRio – Carioca Station)
One of the most well-known coffee shops in Brazil, it
is certainly a place to have a snack in downtown. The
building is from the late 1890’s and it is a spot you
can’t miss. Its famous sweets are unforgettable.
Address: Rua Gonçalves Dias, 32 Centro, Rio de
Janeiro 20050-030.
Quinze de Novembro Square
(MetrôRio – Carioca Station)
This square was important to the history of imperial
Brazil. It holds the stock market in Rio de Janeiro and
this is where you take the ferryboat to Niterói or
Paquetá. Located in the Praça XV is the Imperial
Palace built in the 18th century to serve as residence
for the governors of colonial Brazil. From 1808, it was used as a royal residence by King John
VI of Portugal as King of Portugal and later also as King of Brazil. In 1822 it became the city
palace of the rulers of the Empire of Brazil, Pedro I and Pedro II. It was one of the main
political centers of Brazil for nearly 150 years, from 1743 to 1889.
Banco do Brasil Cultural Center
(MetrôRio – Uruguaiana Station)
Housed in an imposing domed building in the heart of
downtown Rio, the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil is a
popular contemporary art space. It has three floors
house exhibition rooms, a theatre, an auditorium and a
cinema. Address: Rua Primeiro de Março, 66, Centro, Rio de Janeiro 23010-080.
Casa França – Brasil
(MetrôRio – Uruguaiana Station)
This cultural centre, Brazil's first neo-classical building,
was built in 1820. Designed by French architect
Grandjean de Montigny, it started as an indoor market.
Today, it is home to different exhibitions reflecting the
cultural relationship between France and Brazil, through exhibits that include painting,
photography, prints and sculpture. Entry is free. There is also a restaurant on the premises.
Address: Rua Visconde de Itaboraí, 78, Centro, Rio de Janeiro 20010-060.
Portuguese Royal Library
(MetrôRio – Uruguaiana Station)
The Portuguese Royal Library, traditional library and
Lusophone cultural institution, is located at Rua Luís de
Camões, in downtown Rio. The institution was founded
in 1837 by a group of forty-three Portuguese immigrants,
political refugees, to promote culture amongst the
Portuguese community in what was then the capital of the
Empire.
São Bento Monastery
(MetrôRio – Uruguaiana Station)
It is a historical monastery and one of the most
important monuments to the colonial art in the country.
Founded in 1590 by monks from Bahia, the Benedictine
Monastery in Rio de Janeiro was built in response to the
city’s first citizens. Nowadays, in the middle of a great
metropolis, people still find a place of silence, prayer and diverse activities directed by the
monks.
Sambodrome
(MetrôRio – Praça Onze Station)
The Sambodrome was designed by Oscar Niemeyer and build in
1984. It consists of 700m stretch of the Marquês de Sapucaí Street
converted into a permanent parade ground with bleachers built on
either side for spectators. Its capacity is 90,000. Outside Carnival
Season, the Praça da Apoteose is occasionally used as a venue for
international concerts. In December, the samba schools begin
holding technical rehearsals at the Sambodrome, leading up to
Carnival.
Santa Teresa
The Santa Teresa Historic Tramway is a suburban tramway
network in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is the only remaining
metropolitan tram system in Brazil (and South America), and also
the oldest in operation, having run continuously since its opening
in 1859. Santa Teresa is famous for its winding, narrow streets
which are a favorite spot for artists and tourists. One of Santa
Teresa's most illustrious inhabitants was Raimundo Otoni Castro
Maya, an art collector who lived in his Chácara do Céu mansion in the neighbourhood. The
mansion was turned into a museum (Museu da Chácara do Céu) and its exhibits include works
by Picasso, Matisse, Monet, Jean Metzinger, Eliseu Visconti and Candido Portinari. The offer
of restaurants and bars is also very varied.
South Area
This part of the city has the most of the natural beauty, night life, restaurants and shops. This is
where Fundação Getulio Vargas is placed.
Sugar Loaf
(Metrô Rio – Botafogo Station + Bus Botafogo-Urca 511ª)
Sugar Loaf Mountain (in Portuguese, Pão de Açúcar), is a peak
situated in front of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that sticks out into
the Atlantic Ocean. Rising 396 meters (1,299 ft) above sea-level.
Corcovado (Christ Redeemer)
(Metrô Rio – Largo do Machado Station + Bus Largo
do Machado – Cosme Velho 422A)
The Corcovado Rack Railway (in Portuguese: Trem do
Corcovado, “Corcovado train”) is a mountain railway
line that runs from Cosme Velho neighborhood to the
summit of Corcovado Mountain of an altitude of 710m
(2,330 ft). The summit is known for its statue of Christ
the Redeemer and its view over the city.
Flamengo Park
(Metrô Rio – Glória, Catete, Largo do Machado and
Flamengo Stations)
The Aterro do Flamengo (in Portuguese), is the
largest leisure area of Rio. It has a strong sport
tradition. With gardens designed by world-known
landscapist Burle Marx and sitting by the margins of Guanabara Bay, Flamengo Park holds the
Modern Art Museum, the Carmem Miranda Museum and the Monument to the World War II
dead soldiers, besides Marina da Glória, the main venue for the Rio sailing competitions.
Lage Park
(Metrô Rio – Botafogo Station + Metrô na Superfície – Hospital
da Lagoa Station)
Lage is a public park located at the bottom of Corcovado. Inside
the house there is the Parque Lage’s Visual Arts School.
Botanical Garden
(Metrô Rio – Botafogo Station + Metrô na Superfície – Jardim
Botânico Station)
The Jardim Botânico was founded in 1808 by John VI of
Portugal. Open to the public from Monday to Sunday from 8am
to 5pm, the Botanical Garden is also a research institute that
houses collections that include bromeliads, orchids, carnivorous
plants and cacti.
Copacabana Fortress
This is where you get to take the classical photo of
Copacabana Beach you see on postcards. Take a short
walk uphill for photos of Arpoador, Ipanema and
Leblon. The Forte de Copacabana was built by the
military around 1908. Today Forte de Copacabana is
a cultural center, and you are welcome to visit inside.
Cobal do Humaitá
A large farmers market on the western edge of Botafogo
(Voluntários da Pátria Street), the Cobal transforms into
a casual nightspot with live music and open-air eating
and drinking. Cobal do Humaitá is a leisure and a
gastronomic complex for every taste.
Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas
Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, mostly known as "Lagoa", is
a lagoon, a neighborhood, a park and a leisure area
surrounded by Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Gávea,
and Jardim Botânico. The lagoon is connected to the
Atlantic, allowing sea water to enter. The food
“quiosques” around Lagoa are a popular choice for casual dining in Rio.
Planetarium
The planetarium, located at Gávea neighborhood,
opened doors in 1979, and it kept up to date with
technological innovations. The projector weighing
about 3 tons uses optic fibers and the latest computers
to turn the dome into a credible replica of a starry sky.
The theater has almost 300 seats, and the 180-degree cinema was the first South of the Equator.
There is a small museum, shop and library.
North Area
National Museum
(Metrô Rio – São Cristóvão Station)
The National Museum of Brazil is a centenarian
museum and research institution, located in the
Quinta da Boa Vista Park. The Museum shelters
one of the largest exhibits of the Americas,
consisting of animals, insects, minerals, aboriginal
collections of utensils, Egyptians mummies and South American archaeological artifacts,
meteorites, fossils and many other findings. Address: Quinta da Boa Vista, São Cristóvão CEP
20940-040 Rio de Janeiro.
Jardim Zoológico
The Zoo of Rio is perhaps the most popular attraction of
the Quinta da Boa Vista Park. It was inaugurated in 1945
and is the oldest in Brazil. Among its over 2000 animals,
the collections of Brazilian monkeys and birds are
particularly important.
Maracanã
The Maracanã is an open-air stadium, named after
the Maracanã neighbourhood, in Rio. It was
opened in 1950 to host the FIFA World Cup. In
2010 the Maracanã will be closed for renovations
and upgrade of total capacity to around 90,000
spectators in preparations for the 2014 World Cup
and the 2016 Summer Olympics/Paralympics as it
will be the main stadium in both events.
Tijuca Forest
The largest urban forest in Rio with over 100 square kilometers.
The forest shares its name with the Tijuca bairro or neighborhood
that contains it. The Tijuca Forest is home to hundreds of species
of plants and wildlife, many threatened by extinction, found only
in the Atlantic Rainforest. The area is so big it is easy to get lost,
and we recommend going on a tour to enjoy the most of it safely.
West Area
The West Area (in Portuguese: "Zona Oeste") is the region furthest from the centre of Rio de
Janeiro. Known as the “Miami Carioca”, it remains an area of accelerated growth, attracting
some of the richer sectors of the population as well as luxury companies. High rise flats and
sprawling shopping centers give the area a far more American feel than the rest of the city.
Beaches
Copacabana Beach
(Metrô Rio - Siqueira Campos Station or Cantagalo
Station). Copacabana has over 4kms of pristine,
spotless, wide white sand to relax on. Due to its
notoriety, there is also plenty of local accommodation
available at affordable rates. Activities on Copacabana beach include volleyball, water sports
and all night partying! Copacabana is also the home of futevolei: foot volleyball. The sea is
usually serene with small waves. The only note of caution about Copacabana is that it can get
crowded.
Ipanema Beach
(Metrô Rio – Ipanema / General Osório Station)
This stretch of beach became world famous through the
song "Garota de Ipanema" by Tom Jobim and Vinícius
de Morais. This is where the Bossa Nova rhythm and
beach fashion all were created. Ipanema"s outstanding
soft white sand and cool blue water make this beach very popular.
Leblon Beach
(Metrô Rio - General Osório Station + Metrô na
superfície – Antero de Quental Station)
Leblon is one of the most charming beaches and
sophisticated places in Rio. It is pretty close to Ipanema
beach, they are only separated by a small channel. The
beach is popular during the day with families,
especially for Baixo Baby, a play area with toys and activities for kids.
Arpoador
Everyone has heard of Copacabana Beach and
Ipanema Beach, but few have heard of the tiny beach
pinched between them: Arpoador. Arpoador is located
at lifeguard post #7, and is rarely crowded. You can
enjoy the view and watch the surfers.
Barra da Tijuca Beach
This is the largest beach in Rio. The white sands
stretch for several kilometers. This beach is especially
suited to water sports - ideal for windsurfing. "Pepê"
is the part of the beach considered to be the meeting
spot for lots of beautiful young people.
Grumari Beach
Grumari is located in an environmental protection
zone, and is buffered by mountains that seem to
spring up from the ocean. It is located in the west of
the city, 50 km away from the center of Rio de
Janeiro, passing Barra da Tijuca and Recreio dos
Bandeirantes.
References:
Metrô Rio website – Tourist Tips (http://www.metrorio.com.br/en/turismo.htm)
Rio de Janeiro at Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_de_Janeiro)
The insider’s Guide do Rio de Janeiro (www.ipanema.com)