I was fortunate recently to receive a travel bursary to present at a conference in Rio de Janeiro. While I was away from Friday 24 April to Saturday 9 May (15 days), the trip only took 10 days of annual leave, due to a bank holiday. I flew with TAP airlines, who have one of the best stopover programmes in the world. For free I was able to edit my flights to include a stopover in Lisbon on the way to Rio and a stopover to Porto on the way back to London. While I have written posts on both of these stopovers, as well as one on travelling around Brazil, this blog post is my top recommendations for things to do and where to stay in Rio.
Rio de Janeiro had everything. Beautiful beaches, wild jungle and interesting monuments to explore! First stop where to stay, before we delve into the fun stuff!
Things to Do in Rio
1. Visit Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer definitely exceeded my expectations. The focus was on the beauty of nature and not on selling things (something I felt was the opposite on Sugarloaf Mountain).
I booked one of the earliest trains of the day, which meant we avoided some of the biggest crowds (although it was still busy!). The train journey takes you through the Atlantic Forest of Tijuca National Park before arriving at one of the most iconic viewpoints in the world.
The statue itself is impressive, but the views are what make it truly special. From the top you can see Rio’s beaches, mountains, Sugarloaf Mountain and the city stretching out below. It genuinely feels like you are seeing the whole of Rio at once.
My biggest tip: go as early as possible. It gets hot and crowded later in the day, making it much harder to enjoy. Book as soon as you can.
2. Eat at a Brazilian Churrascaria
One of the food experiences my partner was most excited about in Rio was trying a Brazilian churrascaria — an all-you-can-eat steakhouse where waiters bring different cuts of meat directly to your table.
We were planning to visit Fogo de Chão, one of Rio’s best-known churrascarias, but whether you go here or one of the other many places around the city, it is definitely something I would recommend for meat lovers.
My biggest tip: Bring a list of the cuts of meat you want to try, in case of any language barriers.
3. Watch the Sunset
Rio has some of the most spectacular sunsets I have ever seen. One of my favourite memories was watching the sunset from a rooftop pool, looking across the city towards Christ the Redeemer.
However you choose to watch it, I would recommend finding somewhere with a view, ordering a Caipirinha (Brazil’s national cocktail made with cachaça, lime and sugar) and simply enjoying the moment.
My biggest tip: The sun sets surprisingly early compared with the UK, so double check the sunset time.
4. Experience Pedra do Sal Samba Night
Pedra do Sal is one of Rio’s most famous nightlife experiences, and I would definitely recommend going. It is not necessarily a quiet samba evening — it is busy, energetic and can feel overwhelming at times — but that is also part of what makes it memorable.
We visited for the famous Monday samba night and while it was much busier and more chaotic than I expected, it was still an incredible experience. It felt like stepping into the heart of Rio’s nightlife, with crowds filling the streets and music creating a really unique atmosphere.
My biggest tip: take an Uber there and back, avoid carrying valuables and be prepared for crowds.
5. Visit Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião
From the outside, the Metropolitan Cathedral looks like a giant concrete pyramid and does not resemble a traditional cathedral at all. However, stepping inside completely changes your impression.
The enormous stained glass windows stretch from floor to ceiling and when the sunlight shines through, it creates a huge colourful cross across the interior. It is free to enter and worth a quick look in while you’re in the area.
6. Visit Beautiful Buildings
There are many beautiful old buildings to be stumbled across in the Centro area. One of those that is worth a visit is The Real Gabinete Português de Leitura. It is one of the most beautiful libraries I have ever visited and is very Harry Potter.
It is not something I would prioritise above Rio’s main highlights if you only have a short time, but if you are already exploring Centro, it is a great place to visit and is free entry.
7. Explore Escadaria Selarón
The Escadaria Selarón is one of Rio’s most famous landmarks, with colourful tiles covering the steps between Santa Teresa and Lapa.
It is worth visiting, but I would manage expectations. It is very popular, so expect crowds of people trying to get photographs. There are also people around selling souvenirs and trying to make money from tourists, so keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of your surroundings.
8. Have a Beach Day
Rio’s beaches are iconic and definitely worth experiencing, but personally they would not be at the top of my list if I only had a few days in the city.
Copacabana is the famous one everyone knows, and it is worth visiting for the black-and-white wave promenade and incredible mountain backdrop. However, for actually relaxing on the beach, I preferred Praia da Barra da Tijuca.
Barra da Tijuca is huge, with beautiful sand and a much calmer atmosphere. It felt much more enjoyable for swimming and wandering along the coastline without constantly being approached by people selling things.
Where to Stay in Rio
1. Barra da Tijuca
Our favourite area to stay. It felt safe, relaxed and had beautiful beaches. Although it is further from many of Rio’s main sights, Uber was cheap and easy to use, making it a great base for exploring while still having a quieter place to return to.
2. Santa Teresa
A charming neighbourhood with old, colourful houses, winding streets and lots of character. It felt like a completely different side of Rio and was within easy walking distance of Christ the Redeemer, making it a convenient base for exploring.
3. Praia da Bica
Conveniently located near the airport, which made it useful for our final night before flying home. However, the beach itself was disappointing, with the sea appearing unclean and visible rubbish offshore. It was the only place in Brazil where we did not feel comfortable swimming.
4. Centro
While it was convenient for walking to attractions such as Escadaria Selarón and Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião, it was our least favourite area to stay. We never fully relaxed there and felt much more aware of our surroundings, even on the street directly outside our hotel.
