Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Rio de Janeiro wraps golden beaches, granite peaks and the Tijuca rainforest around Guanabara Bay. Samba, football, beach culture and an unforgettable Carnival make the "Marvelous City" one of the world's great destinations.
This guide covers the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro, 3, 5 and 7-day itineraries with Petrópolis, Ilha Grande and Búzios, plus food, nightlife, safety tips and where to stay.
Top things to see in Rio de Janeiro
Christ the Redeemer
Art deco statue atop Corcovado.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Two-stage cable car with bay views.
Copacabana
Famous beach and wave-patterned promenade.
Ipanema
Stylish beach and neighborhood.
Santa Teresa
Bohemian hilltop district.
Escadaria Selarón
Colorful tiled steps in Lapa.
Tijuca Forest
One of the world's largest urban forests.
Maracanã
Legendary football stadium.
Rio de Janeiro in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Icons
Go up Corcovado early by the cog train to beat the crowds at Christ the Redeemer. Lunch in Santa Teresa. In the afternoon, walk down to the Escadaria Selarón and the Lapa Arches. Spend the evening at a samba club in Lapa.
2Day 2 · Beaches
Spend the morning on Ipanema beach, then stroll to Copacabana along the promenade. Lunch at a beach kiosk. In the afternoon, watch the sunset from Arpoador rock, where locals applaud. Dinner in Ipanema or Leblon.
3Day 3 · Sugarloaf and garden
Ride the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain via Morro da Urca. Lunch in Botafogo. In the afternoon, visit the Botanical Garden and its avenue of royal palms. In the evening, have drinks by the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas.
Rio de Janeiro in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Tijuca and downtown
Hike in Tijuca Forest to a waterfall or the Pedra Bonita viewpoint, where hang gliders take off. Lunch nearby. In the afternoon, explore downtown's Museum of Tomorrow and the Boulevard Olímpico murals. Dinner in Centro.
5Day 5 · Petrópolis
Take a day trip to Petrópolis, the imperial summer city in the mountains, and visit the Imperial Museum. Lunch in town. In the afternoon, see the Crystal Palace and Santos Dumont's house. Return to Rio in the evening.
Rio de Janeiro in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Ilha Grande
Travel to Ilha Grande, a car-free island with rainforest trails and beaches. Lunch in Abraão. In the afternoon, hike or take a boat to Lopes Mendes beach. Stay overnight on the island.
7Day 7 · Last day
Return to Rio, visit the Selarón area or a Sunday market, and shop for Havaianas and coffee. Have a farewell lunch of feijoada. Galeão International Airport is about 30 to 45 minutes from the South Zone.
What to do in Rio de Janeiro on a weekend
For a weekend in Rio de Janeiro, combine Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf and a day on Ipanema.
On Sundays, the beachfront road is closed to traffic.
What to do in Rio de Janeiro in the evening
Evenings mean samba in Lapa, bars in Botafogo and sunset drinks at Arpoador.
Catch a football match at Maracanã if there's a game.
Rio de Janeiro for couples
Couples can watch the sunset from Sugarloaf, dine in Santa Teresa and stay on Ilha Grande.
Rio de Janeiro with kids
With kids, AquaRio, the Botanical Garden, Sugarloaf's cable car and calm Praia Vermelha are good choices.
What to eat in Rio de Janeiro
Feijoada
Black bean and pork stew.
Pão de queijo
Cheese bread.
Açaí
Frozen berry bowl.
Caipirinha
Lime and cachaça.
Churrasco
Brazilian barbecue.
Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro: best areas
Ipanema
Upscale and beachy.
Copacabana
Classic and central.
Leblon
Chic and calm.
Santa Teresa
Bohemian guesthouses.
What to do in Rio de Janeiro when it rains
On rainy days, visit the Museum of Tomorrow, the National Museum of Fine Arts, AquaRio and the Royal Portuguese Reading Room.
How much does a trip to Rio de Janeiro cost?
Expect $80 to $200 per night, $10 to $25 for a meal and about $20 for the Corcovado train.
Practical tips for Rio de Janeiro
Best time to visit
May to October is drier and cooler; December to March is hot, with Carnival in February or March.
Getting around
Metro, Uber and taxis; walk in the South Zone.
Our practical tips
- Use Uber at night.
- Carry only what you need to the beach.
- Book Corcovado tickets ahead.
- Wear strong sunscreen.
- Learn basic Portuguese.
- Book Carnival stays months ahead.
Mistakes to avoid
- Leaving valuables unattended on the beach.
- Visiting favelas without a trusted guide.
- Walking deserted streets at night.
- Skipping the Arpoador sunset.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro?
Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Copacabana and Ipanema, Santa Teresa and Lapa.
Is Rio safe for tourists?
Take sensible precautions, use rideshares and stay in busy areas.
How many days do you need?
Four to five days, a week with Ilha Grande.
When is the best time to visit?
May to October for milder weather.