Things to do in Rio de Janeiro State

Activities, attractions and tours

A crowded beach with numerous umbrellas and people enjoying the sand and water.
A pathway lined with tall palm trees under a clear sky.
A beach with people walking along the shore and some in the water.
A cityscape with modern and historic buildings, trees, and streetlights.
A cityscape with tall buildings, a pedestrian plaza, and people walking.

Things to do

Pedra Do Telégrafo + Praia De Grumari

Pedra Do Telégrafo + Praia De Grumari

P2,461
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Pedra Do Telégrafo + Praia De Grumari
Tijuca Forest and Botanical Garden

Tijuca Forest and Botanical Garden

P3,782
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Tijuca Forest and Botanical Garden
Hop-ON Hop-OFF Sightseeing Bus in Rio de Janeiro – Rio Samba Bus

Hop-ON Hop-OFF Sightseeing Bus in Rio de Janeiro - Rio Samba Bus

P2,168
per adult
Hop-ON Hop-OFF Sightseeing Bus in Rio de Janeiro - Rio Samba Bus
Christ the Redeemer

Skip the Line Christ the Redeemer Admission Ticket

P2,824
per adult
Skip the Line Christ the Redeemer Admission Ticket
Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis and Grand Island

Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis and Grand Island

P3,893
per adult
Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis and Grand Island
Daylong Excursion to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande

From Rio de Janeiro: Angra dos Reis & Ilha Grande Day Tour

P4,678
per adult
From Rio de Janeiro: Angra dos Reis & Ilha Grande Day Tour
Picture 1 for Activity From Paraty: Full Day to Trindade - Nature and Sea

Day Tour to Trindade: Nature and Sea Adventure from Paraty

P2,277
per adult
Day Tour to Trindade: Nature and Sea Adventure from Paraty
Plaza Premium Lounge at RIOgaleao-Tom Jobim Airport

Plaza Premium Lounge at Rio Galeão – Tom Jobim International Airport (GIG)

P1,957
per adult
74% of travellers recommend
Plaza Premium Lounge at Rio Galeão – Tom Jobim International Airport (GIG)
Roadmap

Tour of the most beautiful beaches and islands of Buzios by Buziana Tour

P723
per adult
Tour of the most beautiful beaches and islands of Buzios by Buziana Tour
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Top places to visit

1. Copacabana Beach

Gleaming hotels and forested hills line the perfectly curved 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) stretch of Copacabana Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the world. Abutting one of Brazil’s highest density residential areas, this beach is nearly always filled to capacity, but that’s part of its charm. Swim in the cool waters of the Atlantic amongst thousands of other visitors, join in a game of soccer on the sand or just sit back on a beach chair and order snacks from a beach vendor and watch the passing parade.
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A beach with a road running parallel to it, palm trees, and buildings in the background.

2. Ipanema Beach

When you visit Rio, set a day aside to spend on the beach. Vendors wander along the sand selling fresh coconut, beer and cachaca – Brazil’s national drink and an essential component of the caipirinha cocktail. Although Ipanema Beach is less busy than adjacent Copacabana, it is an excellent place to sip a drink and people watch. Ipanema is one of the most chic – and therefore most expensive – places in Brazil.
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A beach with palm trees, ocean waves, and mountains in the background.

3. Christ the Redeemer

Corcovado rises majestically out of the dense green rainforest that makes up Tijuca National Park, situated just west of central Rio. As the world’s largest urban forest, the national park itself is breathtaking, as is the 710-metre high granite mountain. It is the open arms of the Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) statue at the mountain’s summit, however, that welcomes the 2 million visitors that travel here every year. Open to the public since 1931, the statue is listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and is an essential part of any trip to Rio.
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The Christ the Redeemer statue on a mountain peak, overlooking Rio de Janeiro.

4. Geriba Beach

Geriba Beach is a large stretch of golden sand with bars serving shrimp and empanadas. The tranquil sandy haven has warm water and fairly large waves that lure surfers to its shores. Rent a surfboard or stand-up paddleboard to join your fellow watersports enthusiasts on the waves.
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A coastal landscape with a prominent cliff, a beach, and a cluster of houses on top.

5. Rua das Pedras

Rua das Pedras is the most famous street in the picturesque resort town of Búzios. Come here to shop for souvenirs in independent stores and galleries, sip coffee outside pretty cafés and experience Búzios’ lively nightlife.
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A cobblestone street at dusk with illuminated storefronts and outdoor seating.

6. Maracanã Stadium

No arena is more central to the history of Brazilian soccer than Maracanã Stadium. The location of the final matches in both of Brazil’s FIFA World Cups, this stadium has hosted all the great names in Brazilian soccer. Watch one of Rio de Janeiro’s “Big Four” teams play a game, or take a guided tour of this iconic stadium and you’ll soon understand just how large soccer looms in the Brazilian psyche.
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A large, empty stadium with blue and yellow seats and a green field.

7. Forte Beach

Long, scenic Forte Beach is the main strand of Cabo Frio. The busy bay, which takes its name from its historic fort, is packed with huts, lodgings and stores. Come here to enjoy stunning views of the verdant promontories overlooking the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
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A beach with clear turquoise waters, a sandy shore, and green hills in the background.

8. João Fernandes Beach

Praia de João Fernandes, or João Fernandes Beach, is one of the best-loved stretches of sand in the resort town of Búzios. Choose your spot here on the golden sand beneath a brightly colored beach umbrella. Prepare for a day of basking in golden sunlight, swimming in clear blue waters and taking photo after photo.
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A beach with palm trees, umbrellas, and people.

9. Ferradura Beach

Praia Ferradura, or Ferradura Beach, is an idyllic crescent of sand on Búzios’ least busy coast, to the southwest. Located in one of the resort town’s wealthiest and most stylish neighborhoods, this glamorous beach is rumored to be a favorite with celebrities. It’s also an excellent place for a family day out. Bring or rent snorkeling masks and spend hours exploring the calm turquoise waters of this lovely cove.
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A beach with clear blue water, boats, and hills in the background.

10. Avenida Atlantica

No Rio de Janeiro holiday is complete without a visit to Avenida Atlântica. This avenue is famous for its events year-round, including a massive New Year’s Eve celebration covering the entire avenue and Copacabana Beach. Stroll along the avenue’s promenade to experience Rio’s lively beach culture and oceanfront events.
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What to do in Rio de Janeiro State

Stay near popular Rio de Janeiro State attractions

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Copacabana Beach

9.0/10 (5,319 reviews)
More than just a stretch of sand, Rio de Janeiro’s most famous beach is where locals and visitors from all over the world come to relax, strut, pose and play.
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Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro State

Find the best Rio de Janeiro State areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most.
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Copacabana

Copacabana is highly notable for its stunning beaches, and you might want to visit top sights like Copacabana Beach and Bairro Peixoto. See more of Rio de Janeiro by jumping on the metro at Siqueira Campos Station or Cardeal Arcoverde Station.

A beach with a patterned walkway, ocean, and mountains in the background.

Ipanema

Ipanema Beach and Rua Farme de Amoedo are top sights in Ipanema, and you should be sure to explore the stunning beaches. Hop aboard the metro at Nossa Senhora da Paz Station or Ipanema-General Osorio Station to see more sights in the area.

A beach with people, umbrellas, and a large mountain in the background.

Barra da Tijuca

Visitors often come to Barra da Tijuca for its beaches, but many stay to explore sights like Barra Shopping Mall and Village Mall. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you catch a ride at Jardim Oceânico Station.

A street with colorful umbrellas hanging overhead.

Penedo

Travelers like the parks in Penedo, and Pequena Finlândia is a top attraction you might want to visit.

A cityscape with a prominent mountain silhouette, a waterfront, and a bridge.

Botafogo

Botafogo is a destination travelers like for its beaches, and you might hop aboard the metro at Botafogo Station or Futura estação Morro de São João Station to explore sights like Botafogo Praia Shopping.

A panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro at sunset, featuring the Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugarloaf Mountain, Guanabara Bay, and the cityscape with cable cars.

Rio de Janeiro

A coastal cityscape at sunset with illuminated buildings, a calm bay, and prominent mountain ranges.

Niteroi

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Angra dos Reis

A waterfall cascading over rocks surrounded by dense green foliage.

Mangaratiba

A beach with clear turquoise water, colorful buildings, and a sandy shore with yellow chairs and an umbrella.

Búzios

A Gothic-style church with a tall spire, surrounded by lush greenery and a red bridge.

Petrópolis

A valley with rolling hills, scattered houses, and a prominent tower.

Paty do Alferes

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Marica