Explore Rio de Janeiro through its varied highlights: a cultural landscape stretching from the mountains to the sea, trails in Parque Nacional da Tijuca, viewpoints and art venues. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between these attractions. A hiking trail, a cable car route and a regular market day represent different ways to visit.

Nature and Cultural Landscape

The cultural landscape of Rio de Janeiro stretches from the mountains of Parque Nacional da Tijuca to the sea. Its named features include the Botanical Garden, dating from 1808, Corcovado with its statue of Christ, Pão de Açúcar and landscaped areas along Copacabana Bay. This range provides a framework for the city’s diverse natural and cultural sites.

Parque Nacional da Tijuca preserves Atlantic rainforest and is home to toucans, coatis, capuchin monkeys and three-toed sloths, among other wildlife. A hiking trail leads to Pico da Tijuca, at 1,021 meters the highest point in the park unit. If you would rather plan a waterfall visit than a hike, swimming is permitted at Cachoeira das Almas. Check the conditions before your visit.

Trails, Views and Practical Information

Nearly all entrances, viewpoints, waterfalls and hiking trails in the national park are free of charge. Fees apply only to access to Cristo Redentor and to hang gliding. This distinction helps separate visits to the park from the two explicitly named paid activities.

The entrances at Parque Lage or in Alto da Boa Vista can be reached by metro in combination with integrated bus routes. Check the routes before setting out. For a different kind of visit, the cable car at Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar connects Praia Vermelha, Morro da Urca and Pão de Açúcar. The hiking trail and cable car thus represent different ways to visit: a route on foot to the highest point in the park unit, and a connection between three named stations.

Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar also includes Bosque das Artes and offers cultural and artistic activities. As the program may change, check the current offerings before your visit.

Art Venues and Regular Events

Parque Lage was recognized as part of the historical and cultural heritage of the city of Rio de Janeiro by the Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional (IPHAN) in 1957. Parque Lage is also home to the Escola de Artes Visuais (EAV), which offers free training to aspiring artists. If you are interested in the training, check the current availability of courses.

Feira livre de Ipanema follows a regular weekly schedule: it takes place every Friday at Praça Nossa Senhora da Paz. Check the schedule before travelling. In Santa Teresa, the viewpoint in Parque Glória Maria offers views of Pão de Açúcar, Arcos da Lapa, Guanabara Bay and Cristo Redentor. The market and viewpoint add their own distinct highlights to the natural and artistic sites, without forming a single route.

Plan Your Stay

For detailed planning, the most relevant things to check are the current routes to the national park, the available courses and program at Parque Bondinho, and the date of the Friday market.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Cachoeiras De Macacu, Itaguaí, Abadia, Boa Vida, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Paraíba Do Sul, Porto Real, Ilha Grande.

Go to the main travel overview: Rio De Janeiro.