Best Things to Do and Must-Visit Places in Rio (2026)

Last Updated on 3 August, 2026 by Veronica

Rio is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, and for good reason. This vibrant city has a unique culture, dramatic scenery, and some of the most romantic sunset spots you’ll find anywhere, which makes it a fantastic pick if you’re planning a couple’s trip through South America.

Before you go, check our companion guide with everything you need to know about visas, safety, and logistics: Recommendations to Travel to Rio de Janeiro.

Below is our full list of must-see places in Rio, with practical details (price, how to get there, best time to go) for each one, not just a highlight reel.

What to wear in Rio de Janeiro + packing list

Rio de Janeiro: The Wonderful City

Best things to do in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio’s nickname, the “Wonderful City” (Cidade Maravilhosa), is well earned. It’s a place that leaves you a little shocked, a little reflective, and mostly just wanting to come back.

Rio is Brazil’s second-largest city, with more than six million people, and yes, it has favelas, plenty of them. But like any big city, it rewards a bit of common sense about where and when you go. It’s calmer than its reputation suggests once you know the basics, which we cover in detail in our safety and travel recommendations guide.

Brazil, Recommendations to travel to Rio de Janeiro

What to See in Rio de Janeiro?

Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar)

Recommendations to travel to Rio de Janeiro

Rio’s most recognizable icon after Christ the Redeemer. Sugarloaf is a granite peak at the entrance to Guanabara Bay, reached by a two-stage cable car.

Price: around R$110–170 for the round trip (adult), with discounts for children, students, and seniors, book skip-the-line tickets here to avoid the ticket line.
How to get there: Uber or taxi to the Urca station; it’s a short ride from Copacabana or Botafogo.
Best time to go: Late afternoon, so you catch the sunset over Guanabara Bay from the top, one of the most romantic viewpoints in the city.
Tip: The first stop, Morro da Urca, has a restaurant and bar if you want to linger rather than rush both stages back-to-back.

Christ the Redeemer / Corcovado

One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and one of the most photographed statues on Earth.

Tip: Elevators are available if you’d rather skip the roughly 250 steps up.
Price: train tickets (round trip + monument access) run roughly R$100–135; vans are similar and a bit faster but less scenic.
How to get there: by cogwheel train from Cosme Velho station (the classic, slower option, and our pick), by official van, or by car, though car access is limited to 230 parking spots, so it’s the least practical choice.
Best time to go: Early morning, right when it opens. By mid-morning the viewing platform gets packed and it’s genuinely hard to move, worth knowing before you go, since it can make what should be a magical moment feel rushed.

Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches

The two beaches everyone pictures when they think of Rio, and both worth a visit even if you don’t plan to swim.

Couple’s tip: rent two beach chairs, order caipirinhas from a kiosk, and just watch the sunset — it’s simple, cheap, and it’s the single most-repeated “we loved this” moment couples mention about Rio.
Price: free to visit; a caipirinha at a beach kiosk (kiosko) runs about R$25–35.
Vibe: Ipanema is generally considered the more upscale, laid-back of the two; Copacabana is livelier and busier.

Pedra do Arpoador — the best sunset spot for couples

Between Ipanema and Copacabana, this rock outcrop isn’t much to look at by day, but at sunset it’s one of the most atmospheric spots in the city.

Tip: locals gather here every evening and applaud when the sun sets. Bring a beer or a caipirinha from a nearby kiosk and join in — it’s a genuinely lovely, low-key thing to do as a couple.
Price: free.
How to get there: walk from either beach — it sits right at the border between the two.

Prainha Beach

A small, beautiful beach about an hour from the center, popular with surfers and locals rather than tourists.

Nearby: Point de Grumari, a seafood restaurant with sweeping views, protected by the army-owned land around it — worth the detour for a quieter, more local lunch.
Price: free; a beer at the beach bar is a few reais.
How to get there: easiest by car or a pre-booked transfer, since it’s off the main tourist routes.

Tijuca Park and Vista Chinesa

One of the largest urban forests in the world, and a nice contrast to the beaches.

Highlight: Vista Chinesa, a viewpoint built in a Chinese architectural style, named after Chinese immigrants who once grew tea and rice in the area.
Price: free to drive or walk through; guided tours run around R$150–250.
How to get there: by car, or on an organized half-day tour that combines it with other viewpoints.

Botanical Garden

One of the most important botanical gardens in the world, with over 9,000 species across 130+ hectares, including a dedicated Japanese garden.

Couple’s tip: finish with a caipirinha at Borogodó, a quiet terrace restaurant just outside the garden with far fewer crowds and cars than the main tourist strip.
Price: around R$40–60 entry for international visitors.
How to get there: a short drive down from Vista Chinesa, or Uber from most central neighborhoods.

Urca

A quiet, residential neighborhood at the foot of Sugarloaf, best known for one very specific ritual: buying a drink at Bar Urca and taking it to sit on the small sea wall outside, looking out over the bay.

Price: a few reais for a drink.
Best time to go: late afternoon into sunset, it gets busy, but that’s part of the charm.

How Many Days Do You Need?

Plan on at least 4–5 days to see Rio properly without rushing, enough time for the main icons, a couple of beach days, and one slower day exploring a neighborhood like Urca or Santa Teresa. For the full breakdown on timing your trip around the seasons, see our Rio travel recommendations guide.

Getting Around Rio

The metro is fast and safe for reaching central sights; Uber is the recommended option for everything else, including airport transfers. If you’d rather explore actively, Rio has extensive bike paths along the coast:

Book a bike tour or bike rental here

Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro?

Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon are the most convenient bases for first-time visitors and couples, close to the beach and most restaurants. Check Booking.com hotels in Rio and pick based on your budget and how central you want to be.

FAQ: Visiting Rio de Janeiro

Is Rio de Janeiro safe for tourists? Yes, with normal big-city precautions. Stick to well-known neighborhoods, avoid flashing valuables, and use Uber rather than hailing taxis on the street. See our full safety tips guide for specifics.

Do I need a car in Rio? No, traffic is heavy and a car adds stress rather than convenience. Metro and Uber cover almost everything you’ll want to see.

What’s the best time of day to visit Christ the Redeemer? Early morning, right at opening, before the tour groups arrive.

Is Rio a good destination for couples? Yes, between the sunset at Arpoador, the cable car at Sugarloaf, and the beach kiosks in Ipanema, it’s one of the most romantic cities in South America if you build in slow, unhurried time rather than trying to check off every sight in two days.