Top 37 Things To Do in Rio de Janeiro 2018 - Best Activities in Rio de Janeiro

Escadaria Selarón

A beautiful and hidden spot

Escadaria Selarón

14

This staircase was all created by a single artist, over years of daily work. It's covered up in tiles that came from all over the world. The artist lived by the staircase and made it as a love declaration to the city of Rio de Janeiro. Read more ›

by Francisco

Ask Francisco

Jardim Botânico

Sights 14 3

By Marina

Home for monkeys, toucans...

Jardim Botânico

14

The place is the home for a research institute and its alleys, bushes and lakes are an invitation to a lot of reading and contemplation. It's perfect after a quick bike ride or running around the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, followed by a cooling walk around trees that are maybe older than 100 years. Read more ›

by Marina

Ask Marina

Arpoador

Sights 13 3

By Guilherme

The beauty of everyday sunset

Arpoador

13

Arpoador is a small peninsula located between Copacabana and Ipanema. On its right side there is the Arpoador stone that separates Arpoador from Ipanema beach. It's one of our favorite beach points! And it is possible to go to the beach after 8pm because there's a special lightning. Read more ›

by Guilherme

Ask Guilherme

Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas

Sights 11 3

By Marina

Outdoor exercising in Rio

Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas

11

We go for a walk, for running or for riding a bike around the lake. It’s a great place for outdoor fitness. Unfortunately swimming is impossible – take a look at the water and you’ll see it’s far polluted. Well, it’s hard to meet a Carioca who doesn’t exercise, or at least, that assumes it. Read more ›

by Marina

Ask Marina

Parque Lage

Sights 11 3

By Marina

Take a walk on the park

Parque Lage

11

We go there for a lot of reasons: to find shadow, to have breakfast, to do art courses – there are lots of them in the Parque – all that in a gorgeous mansion built by one of the most important families in Rio. And the place hosts some very interesting parties, intriguing art exhibitions of student’s works and an amazing garden as well. Read more ›

by Marina

Ask Marina

Ipanema Beach

Sights 10 1

By Giovana

The coolest beach in town

Ipanema Beach

10

Ipanema is the beach where everybody goes. Despite of having a lot of tourists here, it's totally different from Copacabana. There are diferents zones in the beach. Posto 8 is gay-friendly, Posto 9 is 420-friendly and a little bit hippie and alternative too, and Posto 10 is more preppy but still laid-back. Read more ›

by Giovana

Ask Giovana

Santa Teresa

Sights 9 2

By Giovana

Artistic and Bohemian neighborhood

Santa Teresa

9

Santa Teresa is a hidden gem in downtown. The locals just call it "Santa" and we come here to have a good beer, listen to a good samba and eat an amazing feijoada. There are a lot of artistic events on the weekend and an active night life. Read more ›

by Giovana

Ask Giovana

Confeitaria Colombo

Sights 8 4

By Paula

120 Years of Pure Delight

Confeitaria Colombo

8

This 120 years old cafe/restaurant is one of our most precious gems. We don't have many old restaurants and cafes so this is a very special place for us. The food is amazing and you fell like you went back in time. Read more ›

by Paula

Ask Paula

Pedra Bonita

Sights 8 0

By Giovana

Amazing city view and hiking

Pedra Bonita

8

Pedra Bonita offers one of the most beautiful city views in Rio. Is so beautiful! And the trail is amazing too and not too long, 30 minutes and you'll be there. A lot of cariocas go to pedra bonita at night to see the sunrise from the top, is a breath-taking experience! Read more ›

by Giovana

Ask Giovana

Morro da Urca Trail

Sights 8 2

By Marina

Sugarloaf from a different point of view

Morro da Urca Trail

8

Cariocas know and appreciate trails. Some of them take you to few of the most important and touristic spots in town. The trail for Morro da Urca is one of them.With a beautiful view and easy trekking this urban hike is perfect for exercising. And as Urca is a Military area, it's a pretty safe zone to walk. Read more ›

by Marina

Ask Marina

Praia vermelha

Sights 8 2

By Marina

A very special beach

Praia vermelha

8

Enjoy a paradise in the first hours of the day while swimming or practicing outdoor sports. Praia Vermelha is located within a military area, so it's very safe. It's a great way to exercise and start your day. The sea is very calm and the beach is small, good for children too. Read more ›

by Marina

Ask Marina

Praia da Joatinga

Sights 8 2

By Gisele

Joatinga beach

Praia da Joatinga

8

This is a beach you can go if you want to avoid the most popular (and crowded) ones. The beach suffers a great influence of the tide: with the high tide the sea leaves almost no space for people on the sand, but when the tide is low, the little strip of sand becomes a paradise with both human and nature beautys. Read more ›

by Gisele

Ask Gisele

CCBB

Sights 8 1

By Giovana

Free and amazing art museum!

CCBB

8

CCBB it's a reference for art and culture in Rio. Everybody goes there to check the exhibitions and have a great time. It's definitely a meeting point for art lovers, alternative people, and students. And the most amazing: all the exhibitions are free! Just the theaters are paid, but is still very cheap comparing to normal theaters. Read more ›

by Giovana

Ask Giovana

MAR (Rio Art Museum)

Sights 6 0

By Marina

Art with a view

MAR (Rio Art Museum)

6

This brand new museum was the first step to make an old dream of the cariocas come true: bring – cultural and economic - life back to the docks area in Rio de Janeiro. The sights from the rooftop of the museum - access is free of charges- are amazing. Read more ›

by Marina

Ask Marina

Pedra do Sal

Sights 6 2

By Gisele

Pedra do Sal

6

It was known as 'Little Africa' and now a days is a place you can go if you wanna hear some samba roots, black music, 'chorinho' and jazz. Each day one of this rhythms is played live and a lot of people get toghether to hear some nice music. Read more ›

by Gisele

Ask Gisele

Pista Cláudio Coutinho

Sights 6 1

By Vinicius

Nice path along the base of Sugarloaf

Pista Cláudio Coutinho

6

Pista Cláudio Coutinho is a 1.25 km walking trail frequented by runners, climbers and people interested in see the amazing view of Praia Vermelha (Red Beach). It is a very beautiful place, with woods and animals like monkeys and lizards. There is also a hiking trail that leads to the first hump of the Sugarloaf cable car, the Morro da Urca. Read more ›

by Vinicius

Ask Vinicius

Mureta da Urca

Sights 5 3

By Lauren

Oldest Neighborhood in Rio

Mureta da Urca

5

Preserved Architecture from Colonial Days. Fabulous Cafés. Great Restaurants. Overall, a lovely place to spend the entire afternoon combing the back streets, stopping for a beer and enjoying conversation with locals along the famous bay facing rock wall. Read more ›

by Lauren

Ask Lauren

Morro da Conceição

Sights 5 1

By Marina

Little houses up hill in old port area

Morro da Conceição

5

Though for quite a long time lots of ancient buildings were abandoned and brought down by new enterprises, cariocas are usually interested in our own architecture. And one of the best places to see this iconic heritage is downtown, just a few blocks from the port, up hill, in Morro da Conceição. Read more ›

by Marina

Ask Marina

Grumari

Sights 5 1

By Giovana

Wild and wonderful beach!

Grumari

5

This is almost the only wild beach close to the city. It's just wonderful. A true paradise in Rio. And the best surf spot ever. There is some bars with finger food and drinks in a very laid-back vibe. This is the beach where Jack Johnson goes when he is in Rio, and a lot of famous surfers as well. Read more ›

by Giovana

Ask Giovana

Horto waterfall

Sights 5 0

By Giovana

Waterfall in the city!

Horto waterfall

5

It's a beautiful waterfall and just 15 minutes from botafogo. Perfect to go after a beach's day and clean up the salt water while enjoying the nature and the fresh air. The trail is short, about 10 minutes and requires some attention cuz there is some spots that you need to climb a little bit, but it's easy and totally worth it. Read more ›

by Giovana

Ask Giovana

MAM (Museum of Modern Art)

Things To Do 4 0

By Marina

Best museum in the City

MAM (Museum of Modern Art)

4

An amazing modernist building made in concrete by one the most importants Brazilian architects of the mid 20th century, Carlos Reidy, which is located 500 meters away from the heart of Rio’s business and economic center, would be a nice place for a short escape during work hours or to visit anyway. Read more ›

by Marina

Ask Marina

Fábrica Bhering

Sights 4 0

By Marina

Art space

Fábrica Bhering

4

It's the place for seeing a different initiative when it comes to working and managing a collective of artists and their workplaces. Besides, it's amazing to walk around the floors and try to figure out the factory in its old chocolate days - engines, structures, even some tools are still there until now. Read more ›

by Marina

Ask Marina

Prainha

Sights 4 0

By Vinicius

One of the best beaches in Rio

Prainha

4

Prainha is one of the more beautiful places in Rio, located inside a protected area. The locals like to go there to get away of all the Copacabana/Ipanema/Barra crowd and be in a more relaxing place with an outstanding landscape. Prainha is also frequented by surfers. Read more ›

by Vinicius

Ask Vinicius

Feira da General Glicerio

Things To Do 4 1

By Marina

Farmers market next to Corcovado

Feira da General Glicerio

4

It's the most lively farmers market in town. Besides fruits, vegetables and snacks you can hear some "chorinho" right outside in the middle of the market for free! You may also find clothes, gifts and beautiful flowers. Read more ›

by Marina

Ask Marina

Tijuca National Forest

Sights 3 2

By Claudia

Be in the woods in minutes

Tijuca National Forest

3

Located between the south and north zones, Rio locals can easily reach the forest in a few minutes. There the options are diverse and suitable to all visitors. You can trek for hours, reach peaks, go to waterfalls or do the whole tour by car. Read more ›

by Claudia

Ask Claudia

São Salvador

Things To Do 3 0

By Giovana

Great nightlife and handcraft fair!

São Salvador

3

It's a square where a lot of free events and concerts use to happen. On Tuesdays, by night, there are workshops for people who wants to learn juggling. On Saturdays afternoon, there’s a samba gathering. On Sunday mornings It's time to listen to some chorinho. On weekends nights, it gets crowded with people chatting and drinking beer. Read more ›

by Giovana

Ask Giovana

Feira do Lavradio

Fun & Active 3 0

By Giovana

Antiques fair, great music and cool stuf

Feira do Lavradio

3

It's like a tradition. Every first saturday of each month cariocas go to feira do lavradio to buy some stuff as cool clothes, antique articles (from furniture to clothes), craftwork, vinyl records, hand-made bags and shoes, and a lot of another different and alternative things. Normally there is a live roda de samba in afternoon. Read more ›

by Giovana

Ask Giovana

Farmer's Market at Glória

Sights 3 0

By Giovana

Organic Farmer's Market in Rio!

Farmer's Market at Glória

3

The Gloria's Farmer's Market was the first organic farmer's market in town. It just completed 10 years in 2014 and it's being a model for others farmer's market in the city. With a lot of fruits, vegetables, nuts, cheeses, bread, juices and also some grains too. All organic and natural. The best program for a healthy saturday morning. Read more ›

by Giovana

Ask Giovana

Instituto Moreira Salles (IMS)

Things To Do 2 1

By Lauren

Free Photo Gallery in Jungle Mansion

Instituto Moreira Salles (IMS)

2

The location itself is gorgeous! A wealthy family donated their former estate to be converted into a photography gallery in a local neighborhood known for its rain forest backdrop. Above all it has an incredible café! Read more ›

by Lauren

Ask Lauren

Circuito Gastronomico Tiradentes Cultural

Sights 2 0

By Gisele

Every first Saturday of the month

Circuito Gastronomico Tiradentes Cultural

2

It has it all! The event happens in Centro, at the famous Praça Tiradentes, in a historical region. Every first Saturday of the year this place, an open area, receives music, art, cultural things for the kids to do and 30 small producers and cookers that sells good food and drinks for no more than 20 reais. Read more ›

by Gisele

Ask Gisele

Estação Botafogo

Things To Do 2 1

By Marina

Cult Movies

Estação Botafogo

2

Estação Botafogo isn't the best movie theater in the city, or the cleanest, or the most comfortable. But this venerable cinematic institution deserves some credit for its great film selection and cult atmosphere since 1995. Read more ›

by Marina

Ask Marina

Jongo da Lapa

Things To Do 2 0

By Giovana

Roots brazilian circle dance

Jongo da Lapa

2

Jongo and Coco are two very traditional dances in brazil, probably the most root ones. Not even all the cariocas know it. Jongo is a dance and musical genre of black communities from southeast Brazil and Coco comes from a mix of the native and black communities culture. A way before all the samba appeared. Read more ›

by Giovana

Ask Giovana

A Gentil Carioca

Things To Do 2 0

By Marina

Contemporary Art Gallery

A Gentil Carioca

2

It's a trendy art gallery located in the dynamic downtown, focused on brazilian young artists. They also host some of the coolest parties in town – and also a very nice and an untraditional parade days before carnival. Read more ›

by Marina

Ask Marina

Espaço Pura Vida

Sights 2 0

By Giovana

Best place for water sports!

Espaço Pura Vida

2

It's just gorgeous paddling in this place. Nothing like a stand-up paddle or kayaking session in the morning or weekends to chill, enjoy the view and have a great time in water. It's a cool vibe and they have a vegan food-truck with the most delicious burger that you will ever try. Read more ›

by Giovana

Ask Giovana

Bar da Cachaça

Things To Do 0 0

By Le

Beginning of every great night in Lapa

Bar da Cachaça

0

It is one of the few places specialized in cachaca, with more than one hundred options. That's where we started the nights. We call pre-night. We go first to there, to take few shots before entering the most exquisite (and more expensive) houses of the neighborhood. Read more ›

by Le

Ask Le

Choro da Glória

Things To Do 0 0

By Juliana

Good vibes and Chorinho

Choro da Glória

0

Choro da Glória started in 2015 by a group of local musicians that played informally at the bohemian neibourghood of Glória, at Rua Benjamin Constant, 104. The traditional brazilian popular music soon became highly frequented by young locals that wanted to meet friends and have a beer while listening to Chorinho. Read more ›

by Juliana

Ask Juliana

Prosa na Cozinha

Sights 0 0

By Marina

Cooking Class

Prosa na Cozinha

0

It's more like an evening in a friend's kitchen than a formal cooking class. Chef Manu Zappa is a great hostess and usually her students turn up into her friends. Every week there are several classes about different cuisines. Read more ›

by Marina

Ask Marina

Jardim Botânico

Escadaria Selarón

Arpoador

Full-Day Tailored Tour of R...

Underground Samba Party wit...

Pub Crawl in Rio’s Botafogo...

Braseiro da Gavea

Bar do Mineiro

Talho Capixaba

Bar do Mineiro

Bar Urca

Samba do Trabalhador

Farm

Livraria da Travessa

Liga Retrô

Things To Do in Rio de Janeiro

37 tips by 11 locals

32 Sights

9 Museums

5 Tours & Activities

Home for monkeys, toucans...

Home for monkeys, toucans...

Jardim Botânico

A beautiful and hidden spot

A beautiful and hidden spot

Escadaria Selarón

The beauty of everyday sunset

The beauty of everyday sunset

Arpoador

Take a walk on the park

Take a walk on the park

Parque Lage

Outdoor exercising in Rio

Outdoor exercising in Rio

Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas

Amazing city view and hiking

Amazing city view and hiking

Pedra Bonita

Nice path along the base of Sugarloaf

Nice path along the base of Sugarloaf

Pista Cláudio Coutinho

Pedra do Sal

Pedra do Sal

Pedra do Sal

Full-Day Tailored Tour of Rio de Janeiro

Escadaria Selarón

Jardim Botânico

Arpoador

Full-Day Tailored Tour of Rio de Janeiro

Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas

Parque Lage

Ipanema Beach

Santa Teresa

Pub Crawl in Rio’s Botafogo Neighbourhood

Confeitaria Colombo

Pedra Bonita

Morro da Urca Trail

Become an influencer!

Praia vermelha

Underground Samba Party with a Rio Local

Praia da Joatinga

CCBB

MAR (Rio Art Museum)

Pedra do Sal

Walking Tour of Downtown Rio

Pista Cláudio Coutinho

Mureta da Urca

Morro da Conceição

Grumari

Horto waterfall

MAM (Museum of Modern Art)

Fábrica Bhering

Prainha

Feira da General Glicerio

Tijuca National Forest

São Salvador

Feira do Lavradio

Farmer's Market at Glória

Instituto Moreira Salles (IMS)

Circuito Gastronomico Tiradentes Cultural