What to Do in Rio de Janeiro for Culture Lovers
Begin at the Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow), a sleek, Santiago Calatrava-designed masterpiece that reimagines science and philosophy through experiential exhibitions. Just a stroll away, the Rio Art Museum (MAR) dives deep into Brazil’s identity, a mix of Indigenous heritage, Portuguese influence, and Afro-Brazilian soul – it’s a great way to start your exploration of what to do in Rio de Janeiro.
Don’t miss the Selarón Steps in Lapa; this kaleidoscope of over 2,000 brightly tiled steps is by Chilean artist Jorge Selarón. Not only a must see in Rio de Janeiro, the steps are a symbol of the city’s taste for bold artistic expression and grassroots creativity.
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Top Experiences in Rio de Janeiro
Book one of the experiences that other customers have liked and recommended:
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Rio de Janeiro soccer match
One of the Brazilian Passions: Soccer! Watch the biggest teams in Rio play and experience the excitement of the most fanatic fans in the world.Seating is individual, undercover and your guide is always in attendance. Please note that this activity is only offered on match days. On days with multiple games, only one time may be offered.
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Favela Da Rocinha in Rio de Janeiro
Explore Rocinha Favela, the largest favela in Latin America, during this 3‐hour guided educational tour. Walk through the local community with your guide to learn about what life is like there. Interact with members of the community, learn about the history of Rocinha and gain a deeper understanding of the economic and political factors that shape Rio society. Round‐trip transportation from Rio de Janeiro hotels is included.
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Piedra do Telégrafo from Rio de Janeiro!
Sought after by many people, located in the Grumari reserve, we are going to have a guided trekking activity to have the opportunity to take the most impressive photos once at the top of the stone, for those who love nature and sports this trekking is very beautiful, we will also visit beaches in the area that depending on the weather we may have the opportunity to enjoy them. It is not recommended for children under 7 years of age because it is a trekking. Children from 10 years old are considered adults.
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Cabo Frio Private City Tour from Rio de Janeiro
Enjoy an amazing day visiting Cabo Frio in a private tour. Take your time to get to know all the amazing beaches and the best sightseeing in the city with a tour guide and private driver. Treat yourself to a private getaway in Cabo Frio during a sightseeing tour from Rio de Janeiro. Customize your tour or follow the suggestions given by the tour guide. You may hop‐on a shared boat to see the beaches with sand dunes and lagoons. Go to the Forte de São Mateus and marvel at a fortress built to protect Brazil from pirates in the 17th century. Circumnavigate the outcropping where the citadel is perched and see if you can spot a humpback spouting in the distance. Customize the tour the way you want with a tour guide and private driver.
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City Tour — Rio de Janeiro
City Tour in the wonderful city of Rio de Janeiro, visiting the main sights of the city. Vehicle with capacity for up to 4 passengers. WiFi included. Tour Guide for best experience.
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Aquario Tour — Rio de Janeiro
The largest aquarium in South America is located in Porto Maravilha and gathers approximately three thousand animals in 28 environments, which adds 4.5 million liters of salt water.
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Cabo Frio Private City Tour from Rio de Janeiro
Enjoy an amazing day visiting Cabo Frio in a private tour. Take your time to get to know all the amazing beaches and the best sightseeing in the city with a tour guide and private driver. Treat yourself to a private getaway in Cabo Frio during a sightseeing tour from Rio de Janeiro. Customize your tour or follow the suggestions given by the tour guide. You may hop‐on a shared boat to see the beaches with sand dunes and lagoons. Go to the Forte de São Mateus and marvel at a fortress built to protect Brazil from pirates in the 17th century. Circumnavigate the outcropping where the citadel is perched and see if you can spot a humpback spouting in the distance. Customize the tour the way you want with a tour guide and private driver.
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Arraial do Cabo Tour from Rio de Janeiro
Known as the Brazilian Caribbean, Arraial do Cabo has its beautiful crystalline beaches to delight anyone. You will know one of the best place in Rio de Janeiro! With the boat trip you will have a visibility of beaches and islands more beautiful and lush. We offer Lunch Included with Free Buffet, Accredited Guide and Boat Tour.
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Arraial do Cabo Tour from Rio de Janeiro
The tour to Arraial do Cabo is one of our most popular tour options. Located at the end of the stretch of the Lagos Region, the city of Arraial do Cabo is also known as the "Brazilian Caribbean" due to its crystalline waters and the strong presence of marine life. Our tour, which departs daily, offers transport with air conditioning, a tour of the beaches and lunch at an all‐you‐can‐eat buffet restaurant. Come and discover the most beautiful paradisiacal beaches in Rio de Janeiro.
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Rio de Janeiro Hippie Fair Tour
Explore the Feira Hippie de Ipanema, a longstanding fair and farmers market in Ipanema, during this tour in Rio. Stroll through the more than 700 stalls containing locally made jewelry, contemporary art and Brazilian folk crafts. Stop by one of the food stalls to try an acarajé; a croquette, fried in palm oil and filled with spicy shrimp. Practice your bargaining skills with the vendors and engage in friendly conversation with the locals who have flocked to this fair every Sunday since its inception in 1968. Round‐trip transportation from central Rio hotels is included.
What to Do in Rio de Janeiro at Night: Rhythm and Refinement
The sun is setting behind the Dois Irmãos peaks and you’re wondering what to do in Rio de Janeiro at night? As darkness falls, the city shifts into a heady mix of candlelit bossa nova, rooftop caipirinhas, and samba-fueled street parties. For an elegant evening, reserve a table at Aprazível in Santa Teresa, where refined Brazilian cuisine is served with sweeping views of the twinkling city below.
After dinner, join the party at Rio Scenarium, part bar, part antique gallery, where dancers of every generation sway to live music until the early hours. For a uniquely local vibe, follow the music to Pedra do Sal, a historic square where impromptu samba circles celebrate the city’s Afro-Brazilian roots under the stars.
Off the Beaten Track: Unique Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro
If your list is in need of unique things to do in Rio de Janeiro, head to the lesser-known yet majestic Parque Lage. Nestled at the foot of Corcovado, this 1920s mansion-turned-arts school offers a café within a neoclassical courtyard pool framed by jungle and mountain views.
Next, explore the imperial town of Petropolis – a lush highland escape where former emperors built their summer palaces - on a luxury day trip, or take a private art tour through Rio’s buzzing street art districts like Gamboa and Saúde, guided by local creatives who will reveal the socio-political stories behind each mural.
Aesthetic Adventures Await — What to See and Do in Rio de Janeiro for Art Aficionados
Let your senses guide you as you plan what to see and do in Rio de Janeiro. Wake up with sunrise yoga atop Sugarloaf Mountain, then descend into the city’s heartbeat: Ipanema and Copacabana. Although the beaches are iconic, there’s a wealth of arts and culture just beyond the shore, in craft markets, samba schools, and sophisticated galleries like the Instituto Moreira Salles.
Nature lovers will find the Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden) among the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro; this sanctuary of royal palms and exotic orchids was founded in 1808. Meanwhile, architecture admirers should add a visit to the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, a futuristic UFO-like marvel by Oscar Niemeyer, to their agenda. Floating above Guanabara Bay, this iconic building is a must see in Rio.
24‐hours: What to Do in Rio de Janeiro in One Day
Pressed for time and wondering what to do in Rio de Janeiro in one day? Start with sunrise at Christ the Redeemer for panoramic views that defy description. Next, explore the bohemian charm of Santa Teresa with its colonial mansions, art ateliers, and tram rides through cobbled streets.
After lunch at a traditional boteco, head to the beaches of Ipanema to toast the sunset. Cap off the day with dinner at Marius Degustare, a seafood-and-steak haven overlooking the illuminated Sugarloaf Mountain that turns dining into theater.
What to Do in Rio de Janeiro in Two Days
If you have 48 hours to explore and are wondering what to do in Rio de Janeiro in two days, start with the full-day cultural loop: Corcovado, Selarón Steps, the downtown museums, and an evening in Lapa. On your second day, sail the bay on a private yacht charter, stopping for a champagne picnic on one of the secluded offshore islands.
In the afternoon, unwind with a luxury spa session at the Copacabana Palace, then finish your day with a helicopter flight at golden hour, undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Rio de Janeiro, offering unmatched aerial views of the city’s mountain-to-sea grandeur.
Experience a True ‘Must Do’ in Rio de Janeiro
To truly connect with the soul of this city, there is one thing that is a must do in Rio de Janeiro: attending a samba event at a local quadra (samba courtyard). Feel the rhythm in your bones as drums echo across the night air - this is life lived out loud.
Whether you’re dancing barefoot in the sand or admiring colonial art at a hillside gallery, there’s no singular way to define what to do in Rio de Janeiro - it’s all about how you feel while you do it.
Final Thoughts: The Beat of Rio
Rio de Janeiro seduces visitors with its contrasts: the grandeur of its landscapes, the intimacy of its traditions, the elegance of its tastes. The challenge doesn’t lie in working out what to do in Rio de Janeiro, but in choosing from the endless sensory feasts on offer. Culture isn’t confined to museums here; it pulses through the music, the murals, the mountains, and the sea.
Whether you stay one day or a lifetime, Rio’s spell lingers. Long before you leave, you’ll already be wondering not just what to do in Rio de Janeiro the next time you visit, but how soon that could be.