12 best things to do in Rio de Janeiro

Locals call it the Cidade Maravilhosa – and they’re not wrong. From Christ the Redeemer towering over the city to the beach scenes at Copacabana and Ipanema, Rio knows how to grab your attention.

But the real Rio isn’t just about the big-name sights. It’s samba in a sweaty bar. It’s riding a rattling tram through Santa Teresa. It’s hiking up a jungle trail and finding the whole city laid out below you.

Wondering what to do while you’re here? Whether you’ve got 48 hours or a full week, these are the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro – the icons, the surprises, and the ones you’ll be talking about long after you leave.

1. Take in the view from Corcovado

You’ve seen the photo a thousand times – Christ the Redeemer, arms wide open above Rio. But standing next to it, 710 meters up on Corcovado mountain, is something else entirely.

This isn’t just a postcard moment. From the viewing platform, the whole city spreads out below: Sugarloaf in the distance, the beaches curling around the coast, and the patchwork of favelas climbing the hills. On a clear day, it’s a jaw-dropper.

You can take a van or ride the old-school cog train through the Atlantic Forest – both get you there, but the train’s the more scenic option. Go early to beat the crowds and the haze.

The statue itself is massive (30 meters tall, plus the 8-meter pedestal), but it’s the setting that makes it unforgettable. It feels like Rio laid itself out just for you.

Corcovado easily ranks among the best things to do in Brazil, not just for the view, but for how it captures the drama and scale of Rio in a single frame.

2. Climb up to Igreja da Glória do Outeiro

It’s not the biggest church in Rio – not even close – but Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Glória do Outeiro might just be the prettiest. Perched on a hill above the Gloria neighborhood, this compact 18th-century gem features all-white curves, blue tiles, and baroque details.

Built in 1739, the church once hosted Brazil’s royal family. These days, it’s quieter – and much less visited than the grander cathedrals downtown. But that’s part of the appeal. Climb the stone steps (or take the funicular on weekends), and you’re rewarded with city views, a cool breeze, and a peaceful break from the chaos below.

Inside, the church is a masterclass in understated beauty, featuring golden altars, painted ceilings, and hand-carved woodwork that is perfectly symmetrical.

If you’re checking off meaningful, lesser-known things to do in Rio de Janeiro, this should be high on your list. Just don’t expect crowds – and that’s exactly the point.

3. People-watch on Ipanema Beach

If Copacabana is the classic, Ipanema is the cool younger sibling – slicker, trendier, and with better coffee. Framed by the Dois Irmãos mountains and split into social “postos” (lifeguard stations), Ipanema is where Rio comes to show off, play footvolley, and talk politics in swimwear.

The stretch between Posto 9 and Posto 10 is the hotspot, packed with locals, models, artists, and the city’s most photogenic dogs. It’s not just about the sun and sand (though that helps). It’s a front-row seat to Rio life in full, unfiltered color.

The waves can be rough, so swimming is hit or miss. But for atmosphere alone, Ipanema easily earns its place among the best beaches in Brazil. Summer (December to March) is the best time to visit Brazil if you want the full experience – music, crowds, cold beer, and golden-hour sunsets that stop you in your tracks.

4. Slow down at Instituto Moreira Salles

Tucked away in the leafy neighborhood of Gávea, Instituto Moreira Salles is where Rio takes a deep breath. This modernist mansion, once the home of a banking family, now houses one of Brazil’s best-curated collections of photography, music, and 19th-century art.

The building itself is a stunner – all clean lines, wide windows, and quiet gardens designed by famed landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. You come for the exhibitions, but you’ll end up lingering in the courtyard café, with a book, a strong coffee, and no intention of rushing anywhere.

Rotating exhibits focus on Brazilian artists past and present, often spotlighting overlooked voices or moments in the country’s visual history. It’s not huge, and that’s the point – this is slow culture, not a checklist stop.

Skip the weekend crowds if you can. And leave time to explore the peaceful grounds – a rare pocket of calm in the middle of the city.

5. Hike through Parque Nacional da Tijuca

It’s easy to forget you’re in a city when you’re deep inside Tijuca National Park – a rainforest tucked right into the heart of Rio. Covering over 30 square kilometers, it’s one of the largest urban forests in the world, packed with waterfalls, monkeys, and trails that wind up to some of the city’s best viewpoints.

You can go short and sweet with the trail to Cascatinha Taunay, or sweat your way up Pico da Tijuca – Rio’s highest peak – for a panorama that’s worth every step. Either way, the mix of jungle, wildlife, and sudden city vistas is unforgettable.

Don’t expect manicured paths or signs everywhere. Some trails are better with a guide, especially if you're venturing further in. And wear real shoes – flip-flops won’t cut it here.

Tijuca easily ranks among the best places to visit in Brazil, especially if you want to balance Rio’s chaos with some green space. It also fits nicely into any Brazil itinerary that mixes city time with outdoor escapes – and lets you say you hiked a rainforest without leaving the city limits.

6. Dance all night in Lapa

Come nightfall, Lapa cranks up the volume. This once-faded downtown district is now Rio’s after-dark playground – all live music, strong caipirinhas, and dancing in the street until sunrise.

You’ll hear samba, forró, funk, and pagode pouring out of open doors and onto the cobbled streets, especially around the iconic Arcos da Lapa aqueduct. It’s loud, sweaty, and unfiltered – exactly how Rio’s nightlife should be.

Start with a beer from a street vendor, then follow the rhythm. For live samba, head to Rio Scenarium – part antique shop, part three-story dance hall. Prefer something less polished? Find a tiny boteco packed wall-to-wall, where the band’s five feet away, and the whole place is singing along.

Lapa doesn’t feel like a tourist attraction – it feels like Rio in its most electric form. That’s what makes it one of the most unforgettable things to do in Rio de Janeiro, whether you’re dancing till dawn or just soaking up the scene from the sidewalk.

7. Gaze across the bay at the Museu de Arte Contemporânea

It looks like a flying saucer just touched down on the edge of a cliff, which is exactly the kind of drama architect Oscar Niemeyer was known for. The Museu de Arte Contemporânea (MAC) sits across the water in Niterói, and it’s worth the ferry ride just for the view.

The museum itself is relatively small, but the building steals the show. Curved walkways, stark white concrete, and that panoramic window facing Rio’s skyline – Sugarloaf, Corcovado, and all – feel more like sculpture than architecture.

Inside, rotating exhibitions showcase modern Brazilian art, with a mix of big names and lesser-known talents. But even if you don’t set foot in the galleries, just standing on the terrace is enough. On a clear day, the city feels close enough to touch.

8. Escape to Paraty for colonial charm and coastal calm

Paraty feels like it was made to be photographed – whitewashed houses, brightly painted doors, and cobbled streets that haven’t changed much since the 1700s. Tucked between the rainforest and the sea, this small colonial town is one of Brazil’s best-preserved and a welcome change of pace from Rio’s chaos.

It’s not just about the architecture. Paraty sits on the Costa Verde, a stretch of coast scattered with jungle-covered islands and quiet beaches. You can take a boat trip to snorkel in clear waters, hike to hidden waterfalls, or just linger at a seaside café with a cold beer and no agenda.

If you're wondering how many days to spend in Rio, know this: three or four will give you a solid taste, but adding two or three more lets you work in a detour to Paraty – and it’s worth it. The trip down the coast is half the fun, with sea views and roadside snacks along the way.

Stay a night or two. Walk the streets barefoot when it rains. And don’t bother rushing – Paraty is best enjoyed slowly.

9. Ride the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain

There’s no giant statue at the top of Sugarloaf – just raw granite, sea breeze, and a front-row view of Rio that feels like you’ve stepped into a movie. Literally, if you’ve seen Moonraker.

The ride up is part of the fun. A glass-walled cable car swings first to Morro da Urca, then on to the peak itself, 396 meters above the harbor. It’s short, smooth, and a little surreal as the city unfolds behind you.

From the summit, you get Rio from a different angle: planes swooping into Santos Dumont, boats gliding into Guanabara Bay, and the curve of Copacabana stretched out below. Come just before sunset for golden light and fewer crowds – or show up early for a clearer sky and cooler air.

Compared to Corcovado, Sugarloaf feels less frantic and more atmospheric. There’s no religious icon towering above you – just the rock, the sky, and the city below, humming like it always does.

10. Wander the streets of Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa is the kind of place you stumble into and end up staying for hours. Perched on a hill above downtown Rio, this laid-back neighborhood trades beachfront flash for cobbled streets, crumbling colonial mansions, and a creative streak that runs deep.

There’s art everywhere – on gallery walls, café tables, and the sides of buildings. Local shops sell handmade ceramics, old vinyl, and the kind of souvenirs you’ll want to take home. The vibe? Think faded grandeur meets indie cool.

Hop on the iconic yellow tram from Centro for the classic arrival. Or just walk – part of the charm is getting a little lost. Stop for a cold beer at a leafy terrace, catch a live band in a tucked-away bar, or spend an afternoon at Parque das Ruínas for killer views and cultural pop-ups.

11. Catch a match at Maracanã Stadium

You don’t have to like football to love the Maracanã – but it helps. Built for the 1950 World Cup, this stadium is hallowed ground in Brazil, and still packs in tens of thousands for local derbies and international clashes.

Inside, it’s pure theatre: samba drums pounding, flags waving, fans swearing like poets. If Flamengo or Fluminense is playing, the energy’s off the charts. Even a mid-table match can feel like a national holiday.

Grab a cheap seat high up to see it all unfold – or splurge on something closer to the action. Either way, bring earplugs if you're sensitive, and don’t expect anyone to sit still.

This isn’t just sport – it’s religion, performance, and street party rolled into one. And if you’re looking for the loudest, most passionate things to do in Rio, this is it. If there’s a game on while you’re in town, go. You’ll understand Brazil a little better by the final whistle.

12. Climb Pedra do Telégrafo (for that photo)

You’ve probably seen the photo: someone clinging to a dramatic cliff edge, nothing but sky and sea behind them. What the internet doesn’t tell you is that the “cliff” is just a clever rock ledge – and the drop? Barely a meter.

That’s Pedra do Telégrafo, a hiking spot in Barra de Guaratiba, on the western edge of Rio. The trail takes about 45 minutes – uphill, but manageable – and the views at the top are legit: sweeping beaches, rainforest, and the kind of scenery that makes you forget you’re near a city.

The photo op is what draws most people here, but even without the camera trickery, it’s worth the climb. Just go early – it gets hot fast, and the queue for the ledge can be long by mid-morning.