PlanoPlanoRio de Janeiro wraps beaches, rainforest, mountains, and a deeply musical culture into a city unlike any other. Things to do in Rio range from samba sessions in Lapa to hikes through Atlantic rainforest, neighbourhood churrascarias, and some of the most dramatic urban views on the planet.
Read the full Rio de Janeiro travel guide →5 days
December, January, February
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Escadaria Selaron
Chilean artist Jorge Selaron tiled 215 steps in Lapa with over 2,000 ceramic pieces from 60 countries, creating one of Rio's most photographed public art installations.
Museu de Arte Contemporanea de Niteroi (MAC)
Oscar Niemeyer's flying-saucer museum across Guanabara Bay in Niteroi has curved galleries with a panoramic view of Rio's skyline from its circular terrace.
Museu do Amanha (Museum of Tomorrow)
Santiago Calatrava's spiky waterfront building in the Porto Maravilha district explores sustainability and the future through immersive installations and a digital planetarium.
Feijoada Saturday lunch
Saturday is feijoada day across Rio, and Bar do Mineiro in Santa Teresa serves the traditional black-bean and pork stew with farofa, orange slices, and cachaça.
Pedra da Gavea hike
A challenging 5-hour round-trip hike to the 842-metre granite monolith in Tijuca Forest rewards with aerial views of Sao Conrado beach, Barra da Tijuca, and the open Atlantic.
Santa Teresa neighbourhood
The hillside bohemian quarter above Lapa has colonial mansions converted into art studios, the Santa Teresa tram line, and panoramic views over the city and Guanabara Bay.
Urca neighbourhood
The quiet residential peninsula at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain has a sea wall where locals gather at sunset with beer and snacks, and the Forte de Sao Joao cultural centre.
Ilha Grande day trip
A car-free island two hours southwest of Rio with 106 beaches, Atlantic Forest trails to Lopes Mendes (consistently rated Brazil's best beach), and clear-water snorkelling lagoons.
Saara Market district
A sprawling pedestrian market district in Centro with over 1,200 shops selling fabrics, carnival supplies, spices, and electronics at wholesale prices.
Rio Scenarium
A three-storey antique-warehouse-turned-samba-club in Lapa with live bands playing chorinho and samba to packed dance floors on Friday and Saturday nights.
The best months to enjoy things to do in Rio de Janeiro are December, January, February, March, September. Plan around these months for the best weather and fewer crowds.
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