Rio de Janeiro is a large metropolis in the country of Brazil with a number of interesting things to do.
Contrary to popular belief, Rio is also an affordable city to visit if you are on a budget.
If you are working on putting together your list of things to do in Rio de Janiero for one week, here is a list of some places that you do not want to miss while you are in the city.
Visit Morro Dois Irmaos
Dois Irmaos
From the top of Dois Irmaos and during the hike up, you can see numerous places including São Conrado, the favelas Vidigal and Rocinha, the beaches Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana, Christ the Redeemer, and Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas.
Read more about Dois Irmaos Here
See Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer)
Visiting the Christ the Redeemer statue is a MUST while visiting Rio de Janeiro; after all, it is probably the most famous site in the entire city and it is one that over 2 million people travel to each year.
Practical Information
Address | Rua Cosme Velho 513
Getting There | (Bus) 570 & then tram or hike
Sit on Escadaria Selarón
Visiting Escadaria Selarón stairs is also another must do while visiting Rio de Janeiro.
Created by Chilean artist Jorge Selarón, Escadaria Selarón started as a “tribute to the Brazilian people.”
It became famous as when it started to be featured in publications such as National Geographic and Time Magazines, and it gained further popularity in 2003 when American rapper Snoop Dogg used it as a backdrop in the song ‘Beautiful’.
Practical Information
Address | Rua Manuel Carneiro – Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brazil
Getting There | Bus: 123, 161 or 433 | Metro: Gloria or Cinelandia stations
Soak up some Sun at the Beaches
You cannot visit Rio without hitting the beaches.
There are a number of beaches to visit in Rio, with the most popular being Copacabana and Ipanema. If you are interested in visiting some of the less crowded local (and extremely beautiful beaches), head east to São Conrado Beach and Barra da Tijuca.
Some of the best sunsets in Rio can be seen from Arpoador (the rocks that jut out into the ocean between Copacabana and Ipanema beaches).
On Sundays, the lane closest to the beach shuts down from Leblon to Copacabana and opens up to pedestrians for skating, walking, running, etc.
Eat at the Street Markets
Some of the freshest fruits, vegetables, and foods can be found at the street and farmers markets in Rio de Janeiro.
During my trip, I visited Feira da Gloria, but there are a number of open-air street markets that they take place throughout the city during the weekdays.
If you are interested in buying souvenirs and interesting knick-knacks, check out the Feira De Sao Cristovao (Fridays-Sundays) and the Ipanema Hippie Fair Market (Sundays 7:00-19:00).
Dance on Pedra do Sal
Pedra do Sal is located in the Saúde neighborhood and is known as the birthplace of Samba (a Brazilian dance with African origins).
The Saúde neighborhood where the first African immigrants from Bahia settled in the 17th century. The rock, which was formerly called Pedra da Prainha, was the location of large slave market was housed.
These days, Pedra do Sal comes alive on Monday and Friday evenings as locals and tourists gather to dance the night away to Samba music.
Practical Information
Address | 87 – Rua Argemiro Bulção, 1 – Saúde
Getting There | Take Bus #124 to Praça Mauá and ask the locals for Pedra do Sal (pronounced ‘Pay-dra doe sa-oo).
Stroll through Parque Lage
Parque Lage is a public park that sits below the Floresta da Tijuca and is very near to Jardim Botânico.
One of the most recognizable features of the park is the mansion that is home to the the Escola de Artes Visuais. This site also became famous in the music video ‘Beautiful’ by Snoop Dogg, and they also have a wonderful cafe with delicious and affordable meals.
Practical Information
Address | Rua Jardim Botânico, 414 – Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22461-000, Brazil
Getting There | Take any of the following buses: 409, 410, 438, 170, 172, 178, 179, 174, 571, 573, 583
Climb Pão de Açúcar
Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) is very high on most people’s list of things to do when visiting Rio.
I personally was not very highly impressed with the mountain and I thought that the cable car price to reach the top of the mountain was quite high.
If you do not get to visit Dois Irmaos, this would be the next best option for viewing the city of Rio de Janeiro.
Practical Information
Address | Avenida Pasteur, 520 – Urca
Getting There | (Bus) 107, 511, 512
Hey Chanel – looks like you had a great time! I’m sorry we didn’t get to meet up, but I’m glad you got so much out of my beloved (adopted) city. Great tips and a great video to finish. Volte sempre! 🙂
Hi Tom! Thanks for stopping by! Your blog was invaluable in helping me to discover all that Rio de Janeiro has to offer. The next time around I hope that we can meet! Obrigado!
Love the photographs
Thank you! 😀
this is awesome lady! love your insight and photos/videos.
Thank you Marvin 😀
Love this roundup of sights and tips, and can’t wait to get to Rio sometime soon!
Thank you Anne and it is a great city; I cannot wait to get back 😀
CUTE swimsuit!
How did you find the prices?
Thanks Maria! I found Rio to be very affordable – in fact, I wrote all about it here: http://www.culturalxplorer.com/rio-on-a-budget/ 😀
LOVE this page. Thank you for the recommended spots. Will use this for my trip to Rio in November.
Thanks so much for reading GS and I hope you had a wonderful trip!
What month did you visit Rio in?
I visited Rio in March of 2014 Rachel 😀
Hey, loving your blog. I’m looking to go to Rio at the end of February or march. I was just wondering whether you went during lent, if so was there less of a party atmosphere? Also did it rain quite a bit?
Hi Haja, I am not sure when lent is but I went during March (2014) and it was beautiful and sunny everyday. Also, there was no lack of partying in Rio! 😀
This summer might be a great time to return, visa requirements are being lift for the US for the olympics.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-olympics-visas-idUSKBN0UD1C720151230
we are headed to Rio in a few weeks. I totally want to go to Morro Dois Irmaos. How did you get there?
Great, it is absolutely breathtaking up there and no picture can do it justice – to get there, you can read the directions I left on this page: http://www.culturalxplorer.com/dois-irmaos-rio-de-janeiro/ – Have a wonderful time!
love this post! planning my trip to rio and got lots of info from this.
Glad to hear that – hope you have an awesome trip Kiki! 😀