Rio de Janeiro, neighbourhood by neighbourhood
Your complete guide to Rio's beaches, viewpoints and nights out — from Copacabana to the Costa Verde, planned with real prices and no fluff
Top-rated tours and experiences in Rio de Janeiro
Verified deep-linked GetYourGuide tours. Book through these links and we earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Top destinations in Rio de Janeiro
From the beaches of Zona Sul to the Costa Verde a few hours down the coast, discover Rio's most rewarding neighbourhoods and day trips
Copacabana — Rio's iconic curve of sand
The beach that put Rio on the map, four kilometres of sand, kiosks and beach volleyball
Ipanema — the city's most stylish beach
Posto 9, sunset over the Dois Irmãos peaks and Rio's best people-watching
Corcovado & Christ the Redeemer
The cog train up Corcovado mountain and the view that defines Rio
Urca & Sugarloaf Mountain
Cable cars over Guanabara Bay and the quietest waterfront neighbourhood in the city
Santa Teresa — hillside trams and studios
Cobbled streets, artist workshops and the bonde tram rattling above the city
Lapa — samba, arches and Rio's liveliest nights
The Arcos da Lapa, live samba circles and the bars where the city goes out
Things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Whether you're chasing the best beach, the classic viewpoints or a night of samba, Rio delivers
Beaches
Copacabana, Ipanema and the quieter arcs of sand across Zona Sul and Zona Oeste
Icons and viewpoints
Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain and the lookouts that frame the skyline
Samba and nightlife
Lapa's arches, live samba circles and the bars where the city goes out
Food and drink
Feijoada, boteco culture and the markets worth building a meal around
Essential travel guides
In-depth guides to help you plan every part of your Rio trip
Which Rio beach is right for you
Copacabana vs Ipanema vs Leblon, and where to go for a quieter stretch of sand
Christ the Redeemer: how to visit
Van, cog train or hike — how to book, and what the difference actually is
Carnival in Rio: what to know
Blocos, the Sambadrome parade and how to experience Carnival, in season or out
Maracanã match day guide
Tickets, safety and what a football match at Maracanã is actually like
Community-based favela tours
What community-based tourism means, what to expect and what not to photograph
Ilha Grande day trip guide
Car-free trails, empty beaches and how to get there from Rio
Suggested itineraries
From a quick 3-day city break to a full week including the Costa Verde and Região dos Lagos
Why trust Rio de Janeiro Trip?
Every recommendation is based on verified information and honest, hands-on research. Our guides include real prices in BRL, practical tips and straight advice — not sponsored rankings. When you book through our links, you pay the same price and we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.