16 of the best · Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Christ the Redeemer and the train up the Corcovado, the cable car to Sugarloaf, Copacabana and Ipanema, the Theatro Municipal, the Real Gabinete, the Museu do Amanhã and the Selarón steps.
Our 16 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
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Three Rio addresses we would send a friend to first, chosen from this list.
On the Corcovado
The statue of Christ with open arms on the summit of the Corcovado, above the whole city.
Since 1912
The cable car from Urca to the Morro da Urca and on to the summit of Sugarloaf, running since 1912.
Avenida Pasteur 520, Urca, Rio de JaneiroExplore View on map
Rio’s sunset
The rock between Copacabana and Ipanema where Rio gathers to watch the sun set behind the Dois Irmãos.
The Christ, Sugarloaf, the beaches and the port: Rio in the right order.
The back story
Christ the Redeemer on the Corcovado, the cable car to Sugarloaf, the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, the old Centro and the rebuilt port: how to see Rio, and in what order.
The Corcovado and Sugarloaf.
On the Corcovado
The statue of Christ with open arms on the summit of the Corcovado, above the whole city.
Since 1912
The cable car from Urca to the Morro da Urca and on to the summit of Sugarloaf, running since 1912.
Avenida Pasteur 520, Urca, Rio de JaneiroExplore View on map
Since 1884
The cog railway from Cosme Velho through the forest to Christ the Redeemer, running since 1884.
Rua Cosme Velho 513, Cosme Velho, Rio de JaneiroExplore View on map
Copacabana to Leblon.
Leme to Posto 6
The great curve of sand from Leme to the fort, with its wave-patterned promenade.
To the Dois Irmãos
The beach from Arpoador to Leblon, under the twin peaks of the Dois Irmãos.
Rio’s sunset
The rock between Copacabana and Ipanema where Rio gathers to watch the sun set behind the Dois Irmãos.
The old city.
A gilded church
The Benedictine monastery on its hill above the port, with a church lined in gilded carving.
A reading room of carved wood
A Portuguese reading room of carved wood and iron galleries, lined to the roof with books.
Rua Luís de Camões 30, Centro, Rio de JaneiroExplore View on map
By the bay
The old palace of the viceroys and emperors on the Praça XV, by the ferry quays.
On the Cinelândia
Rio’s opera house on the Cinelândia, its foyer of marble, gilt and stained glass; tours and performances.
Porto Maravilha.
The Museum of Tomorrow
Santiago Calatrava’s white museum of science and the future on the pier at Praça Mauá.
World Heritage, 2017
The excavated stone wharf where enslaved Africans were landed in Brazil, a World Heritage site since 2017.
The steps, the arches and the tram.
Over the arches
The white colonial aqueduct of Lapa, crossed by the bonde on its way up to Santa Teresa.
Lapa to Santa Teresa
The stairway between Lapa and Santa Teresa covered in tiles from all over the world by the artist Jorge Selarón.
Football’s great stage.
Football’s great stage
The great football stadium of Rio, for a match or a stadium tour.
