Rio de Janeiro is one of the cities with the greatest natural, cultural, and historical richness in the world. If you are a traveler who enjoys landscapes, good food, art, and the lively atmosphere of large cities, you should consider this Brazilian city as the destination for your next vacation.
We present below some of the numerous activities in Rio de Janeiro. The options this city offers are so varied that seven days will be just the right amount of time to enjoy them. Therefore, we suggest considering a guided tour or an excursion that will help you get to know some sites more deeply and move around more easily and efficiently.
Day 1: Sugarloaf Mountain
Sugarloaf Mountain, or Pão de Açúcar in Portuguese, is basically a huge rock from the Cenozoic era. Some think its name comes from its resemblance to the sugar blocks made between the 16th and 17th centuries in a rounded conical shape; others believe the name comes from the Tupi-Guarani "Pau-nh-acuqua," which means "the tall hill."
This large monolith is one of Rio de Janeiro's main attractions. It is undoubtedly worth climbing its 396 meters above sea level to appreciate the unique combination of beach, vegetation, and urban landscape.
You can take a cable car (bondinho) from Praia Vermelha (Red Beach), or you can take a 30-minute hike along a trail that starts from one side of the same beach.
In either case, we recommend stopping at Morro da Urca to enjoy the viewpoints and visit the Cocuruto exhibition hall, where you can learn about the history of the cable car.
At Morro da Urca, you will need to take the cable car again to head to Sugarloaf Mountain. You can't miss the unparalleled view that can only be appreciated from the top of the monolith. Both Morro da Urca and Sugarloaf Mountain, along with the cable car, are part of a major tourist area of Rio de Janeiro, with a good selection of restaurants, bars, and shops.
We share the link to the official Parque Bondinho website, where you can buy your ticket to the tourist complex, as well as the cable car ticket. The price of the bondinho includes the round trip.
Day 2: Tijuca National Park and Christ the Redeemer
Climbing Christ the Redeemer is another must-have experience on your trip to Rio de Janeiro. The sculpture is 38 meters tall, but considering it stands on the Corcovado Hill, it reaches 709 meters above sea level. A symbol of hope and faith for the Brazilian people, this imposing monument has managed to position itself among the new seven wonders of the modern world.
There are several ways to reach the feet of Christ the Redeemer; the most well-known is the Corcovado train. The journey lasts about 20 minutes and will allow you to enter the Tijuca National Park, the largest urban forest in the world. You can purchase your tickets in advance on the Trem do Corcovado - Cristo Redentor Rio de Janeiro website.
The second way to go up is by official vans that take you directly to the feet of Christ the Redeemer. Like the train, tickets can be purchased on the Van Oficial – Paineiras Corcovado website.
The third way to get there is on foot. The hike starts at Parque Lage and ends at the top of Corcovado Hill. The journey of about 2.5 kilometers takes between 1.5 and 2 hours.
You can take advantage of the visit to Christ the Redeemer to take a walk through Parque Lage. It is an old estate that is now home to the School of Visual Arts. You will undoubtedly enjoy its central pool and European-style gardens. An essential stop for lovers of history, architecture, and arts.
With this tour, you can visit Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain in the same day.
Day 3: Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches
Copacabana Beach is the most famous beach in Rio de Janeiro. Its promenade design, known as Orla, simulates ocean waves with black and white stones. One unique feature of Copacabana is that it is divided into small zones, each with its own unique atmosphere.
Around the beach, there are many restaurants. We recommend refreshing yourself with the traditional caipirinha, a drink made with cachaça (sugarcane liquor) and lime juice, or a coconut batida, prepared with coconut milk, cachaça, and sugar.
The nightlife in Copacabana is unparalleled. Don't miss out on the boardwalk lights and treat yourself at one of the food kiosks. If you enjoy biking, take the opportunity to go to Orla on weekends when the promenade is closed to vehicular traffic, becoming a large bike path.
Check out the bike tour organized by Tangol Tours. The tour starts and ends in Copacabana, passing through points like Botafogo, Guanabara Bay, the historic center, and Flamengo Park. Reserve your spot.
Ipanema Beach is next to Copacabana. You can travel from one beach to the other in less than 10 minutes by metro, bus, or taxi. If you decide to walk, it will take about 35 minutes.
Like Copacabana, Ipanema is perfect for swimming, sports, or buying souvenirs. Don't forget to look for the statue of Tom Jobim, the composer of the famous bossa nova song "Garota de Ipanema" (Girl from Ipanema), which made this beach famous worldwide.
If you are interested in learning more about Brazilian cuisine, we recommend taking the cooking class from Tangol Tours. In it, you can prepare some typical Brazilian dishes, taste different appetizers, and enjoy unlimited caipirinhas. The class is held in Ipanema. Click the link to reserve your spot.
Alternatively, check out this Tangol Tours option that offers a visit to these beaches and Sugarloaf Mountain.
Day 4: City Center and Selarón Steps
With colonial buildings and modern structures, the historic center of Rio de Janeiro mixes past and present. You can start the tour in the oldest part of the city, the Praça XV de Novembro, where the Imperial Palace and the Chafariz da Pirâmide, a 16th-century fountain, are located.
Then, you can head to the Cinelândia Square to see several architecturally significant buildings nearby. The first is the Municipal Theater, a majestic Baroque and Art Nouveau-style building. Two other buildings worth visiting are the National Library, whose interior is a visual delight, and the National Museum of Fine Arts, where you can see some of the most representative works of Brazilian art.
A 10-minute walk from Cinelândia Square, you will find the Selarón Steps, the work of Chilean artist Jorge Selarón, a traveler who decided to stay in the marvelous city. Next to his house was a staircase he began to decorate with tiles he made himself until, little by little, he covered the 215 steps.
Take a moment to admire the details of the tiles. You will notice that several of them feature the image of a black woman, which has led people to wonder who she is and why Selarón painted her. You will also see that many tiles come from different countries, as the artist eventually started including tiles gifted by tourists from around the world.
A good option is this Tangol Tour, where, in addition to the Selarón Steps, you can visit the bohemian neighborhood of Santa Teresa and the historic Lapa district.
Day 5: Guanabara Bay
It is the second largest bay in Brazil. Within it is the port and the city of Rio de Janeiro, along with 130 islands. In 2012, Guanabara Bay was declared a World Heritage Site due to its rich landscape. Guanabara Bay is a meeting point for many Brazilian families to spend weekends together.
The only way to reach the bay is by car. The journey takes about 50 minutes from the city center. For a truly authentic experience, you can engage in some of the activities cariocas (residents of Rio) do, such as biking on the bike path that surrounds the bay or having a picnic.
Or you can simply sit and enjoy the unique panorama of this place. On one side, nature with the sea, the islands, and Sugarloaf Mountain in the distance. On the other, the ships and planes coming and going, as the bay is essentially a port next to Rio de Janeiro's international airport.
Here is a boat tour to take the worry out of transportation to the bay.
Day 6: Arraial do Cabo Beaches
You can make the most of the last days of your trip by taking one of the excursions from Rio de Janeiro. Three hours from the city, Arraial do Cabo is known as the "Brazilian Caribbean." With its turquoise waters and white sands, it's hard to choose which beach to visit, but we suggest three that might interest you:
Praia do Forno is ideal for swimming due to its calm and clear waters. Before you arrive, there is a viewpoint that allows you to see its curved shape and thin line of sand; you will surely want to take a photo with this beautiful backdrop.
Praia do Farol is located on Ilha do Farol, a protected area that can only be accessed by tour. Since it is guarded by the army, the place preserves all its natural charm.
Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia is known for a long wooden staircase you must descend before immersing yourself in its crystal-clear waters. You will have the opportunity to try a variety of snacks and drinks due to its good food offerings.
Check out this excursion where you can visit these three beaches as well as the Gruta Azul, a cave with deep blue waters.
Day 7: Angra dos Reis Islands
150 km from Rio de Janeiro is Angra dos Reis, an archipelago that houses hundreds of islands and about 2000 beaches. A place highlighted by crystal-clear waters, waterfalls, and natural trails, perfect for activities like snorkeling, diving, and biking.
Don't miss the chance to go on a comfortable boat tour of the islands of Cataguases, Lagoa Azul, Freguesia de Santana, and Japariz.
A Plus for You
To cater to all types of audiences, Tangol Tours has created various excursions that will make your trip to Rio de Janeiro a complete and unforgettable experience.
Dinner and Brazilian music show: Enjoy a typical Brazilian dinner at a traditional churrascaria while listening to some popular music genres like samba or forró. Tangol Tours will pick you up and take you back to your hotel. Reserve your spot here.
Bar route in Lapa: If you want to explore Rio de Janeiro's nightlife safely, join this excursion where you will taste artisanal cachaça, discover how to prepare caipirinha, and visit different bars and nightclubs. The meeting point is at the Hotel Selina Lapa. Reserve your spot here.
Rocinha Favela: Discover the history and architecture of one of the largest favelas in Brazil with local guides. Tangol Tours will pick you up and take you back to your hotel. Reserve your spot here.