5 unmissable places in Rio de Janeiro for tourists

If you’re looking for things to do in Rio de Janeiro, it’s time to get ready to put together a complete itinerary with special tips on tourist attractions.
The Marvelous City goes far beyond its beaches and offers a wide variety of attractions for tourists.

Whether it’s cultural facilities, nature or the historic center with its colonial architecture, there are many places to explore.

That’s why, in this article, we’re going to present a list of 5 places to visit in Rio de Janeiro.

What to do in Rio de Janeiro: the city’s main tourist attractions

For those in doubt about what to do in Rio de Janeiro, it’s worth noting that the city offers options for all tastes
With many tourist, cultural and historical attractions, the city has plenty of beaches, museums and Instagrammable places to suit all tourists.

Below you’ll find a list of the main attractions and tips on what to do in Rio de Janeiro.

Nº1 Christ the Redeemer

One of the first sights that comes to mind when thinking about what to do in Rio de Janeiro is Christ the Redeemer, one of the city’s best-known attractions.

Located on Corcovado Hill, Christ the Redeemer was inaugurated in 1931 and is 38 meters high, equivalent to a 13-storey building.

The attraction, which turned 91 in 2022, is also one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and welcomes around 1.9 million people a year.

The tourist attraction is open for visitors every day from 8am to 7pm. To get there, the most common option is to take a van or the Corcovado train, which leaves from Cosme Damião Station. There is no parking for cars on site.

Lapa and surrounding bars

For those wondering what to do in Rio de Janeiro in the area near the Escadaria Selarón, exploring the Lapa neighborhood is a good option.

With its lively nightlife, the area offers plenty of options for getting to know Rio’s gastronomic diversity. There are many restaurants, bars, clubs and dance halls.

There are also open-air samba circles under the Lapa Arches.

Parque Lage

Located at the foot of Corcovado Hill, in the Botanical Garden, Parque Lage brings together nature, art and culture in one place.

As well as having a privileged view of Corcovado, the site also has 52 hectares of green space.

The park used to be part of an old sugar mill in the region, but was bought by an English nobleman and later, in 1957, became a public heritage site.

Entrance to the park is free, but the visit to the palace – which gives access to the café and cultural programs – must be booked through the Sympla website.

Maracanã Stadium

For those looking for things to do in Rio de Janeiro, a visit to the Maracanã Stadium is an option with a lot of history, architecture and excitement for those who love soccer.

The stadium was the scene of Pelé’s 1,000th goal and has hosted several historic matches and events, including the 1950 and 2014 World Cups.

You can take a guided tour of the stadium or watch a soccer match.

Museum of Tomorrow

Opened in 2015, the Museum of Tomorrow is located next to Mauá Square, housed in the old Mauá pier, and uses technology to promote interactive science experiences.

The site was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava and has around 30,000 square meters of built area, making it one of the main places to visit in Rio de Janeiro today.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm, with the last entrance at 5pm.