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)