- Rio de Janeiro was the only European capital city located outside of Europe, serving as the seat of the Portuguese Empire from 1808 to 1821.
- The city's name, 'River of January,' is a misnomer; Portuguese explorers arriving in 1502 mistook the entrance of Guanabara Bay for the mouth of a river.
- Rio hosts the world's largest urban forest, Tijuca National Park, which was reforested by hand starting in the mid-19th century to protect the city's water supply.
- In 2012, parts of the city were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site specifically for the integration of the urban landscape with the surrounding natural mountain terrain.
- The city has a unique 'Carioca' identity, a term used for residents that originates from the Tupi language phrase 'white house' or 'house of the white man'.
About Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is defined by its dramatic juxtaposition of steep granite mountains and expansive Atlantic coastline, serving as a primary cultural hub for Brazil. The city maintains a distinct urban layout where dense metropolitan neighborhoods like those near the Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro transition into lush, protected landscapes. Visitors can explore the scientific significance of the Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro or witness the transformation of the waterfront via modern institutions like the Museu do Amanhã. This coastal capital balances its historical significance as a former colonial and imperial seat with an ongoing focus on urban revitalization.
Highlights of Rio de Janeiro
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Places of interest
This colossal Art Deco statue offers panoramic views of the entire city basin and bay.
Museums
This museum focuses on sustainable futures and climate change through interactive, data-driven exhibits.
Places of interest
The steps are covered in over 2,000 ceramic tiles collected from more than 60 countries.
Zoos
This facility features a massive multi-tank aquarium system designed for marine research and public education.
Parks
The grounds contain a significant collection of over 6,000 species of tropical and subtropical flora.
Parks
This historic mansion and park area is known for its distinctive neo-classical architecture and swimming pool courtyard.
Venues
The building is a prime example of eclectic architecture, modeled after the Opéra Garnier in Paris.
Museums
The museum occupies a restored building and houses a significant collection of contemporary Brazilian art.
Top things to do in Rio de Janeiro
The 390 highest-rated places in Rio de Janeiro, ranked by travellers.
1
Places of interest
Christ the Redeemer is a 30-meter tall Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ situated at the 710-meter summit of Mount Corcova...
2
Museums
The Museu do Amanhã is a science museum designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, situated on the Pier Mauá wate...
3
Places of interest
Escadaria Selarón is a 125-meter-long staircase consisting of 215 steps decorated with over 2,000 tiles collected from m...
4
Zoos
AquaRio is the largest marine aquarium in South America, housing over 5,000 animals representing 350 marine species with...
5
Museums
Copacabana Fort serves as both an active military installation and a public museum dedicated to the history of the Brazi...
6
Parks
Founded in 1808 by King John VI of Portugal, the Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro serves as a primary research institu...
7
Parks
Parque Lage is a public park located at the foot of the Corcovado mountain, housing the Escola de Artes Visuais (EAV). T...
8
Parks
Quinta da Boa Vista is a sprawling public park in the São Cristóvão district of Rio de Janeiro, formerly serving as the...
9
Parks
Parque Madureira is the third-largest park in Rio de Janeiro, spanning approximately 100,000 square meters. It serves as...
10
Places of interest
Pedra do Arpoador is a rocky peninsula that marks the geographic boundary between Ipanema and Copacabana beaches in Rio...
11
Venues
Estádio Nilton Santos, also known as Engenhão, serves as the primary home ground for the Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas c...
12
Zoos
BioPark of Rio is a modern zoological institution located within the historic Quinta da Boa Vista park, formerly the gar...
13
Temples
The Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro is a brutalist, cone-shaped cathedral designed by architec...
14
Venues
The Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro is an early 20th-century landmark modeled after the Palais Garnier in Paris. Com...
15
Parks
Tijuca National Park is the world's largest urban rainforest, covering approximately 3,953 hectares of Atlantic Forest w...
16
Museums
The Rio Museum of Art (MAR) is located in the Praça Mauá district, integrated into the revitalized port area of Rio de J...
17
Beaches and ponds
Marina da Glória is a specialized nautical facility located within Flamengo Park, serving as a primary maritime hub in R...
18
Museums
The Museu da República is housed in the Palácio do Catete, which served as the official workplace of Brazilian president...
19
Places of interest
The bronze statue of Carlos Drummond de Andrade is located on the sidewalk of Copacabana Beach, directly facing the Atla...
20
Museums
The Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Niterói (MAC) is an architectural icon designed by Oscar Niemeyer, featuring a distin...
21
Places of interest
The Ponte Presidente Costa e Silva, commonly known as the Rio-Niterói Bridge, is a 13.29-kilometer box-girder bridge spa...
22
Museums
The Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro (MAM Rio) is an architectural landmark designed by Affonso Eduardo Reidy, fe...
23
Historical places
Pedra do Sal is the historic birthplace of samba, serving as the cultural epicenter of Rio de Janeiro’s 'Little Africa'...
24
Beaches and ponds
Praia Vermelha is a small, cove-like beach in Rio de Janeiro characterized by its unique reddish-tinted sand, caused by...
25
Places of interest
The Etnias mural, created by Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra for the 2016 Rio Olympics, spans 3,000 square meters...
26
Temples
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Candelária is a major Catholic landmark in Rio de Janeiro, known for its mix of Baroque, Neoc...
27
Beaches and ponds
Praia do Leme serves as the quieter, northern extension of Copacabana beach, demarcated by the Pedra do Leme rock format...
28
Parks
Praça General Osório is a major urban square located in the heart of Ipanema, serving as a primary transit hub and socia...
29
Amusement parks
Play City is a mobile amusement park that frequently rotates its location across different shopping center parking lots...
30
Parks
Parque dos Patins is a landmark recreational area located on the eastern edge of the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon in Rio de...
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Rio de Janeiro on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Rio de Janeiro
September to November is ideal, as the weather is mild and dry, avoiding the extreme humidity of the summer peak and the heavy rainfall of the mid-year months.
4-5 days, allowing time to balance coastal relaxation with inland museum visits and mountain excursions.
The city is served by an efficient metro system, extensive bus networks, and rideshare apps, though traffic congestion is common.
Stay in Ipanema or Leblon for safer, beach-adjacent access to public transit and local dining, or Botafogo for a central location with a local vibe.
Mid-range; while luxury accommodation and dining exist, local transit and street food are relatively affordable for international travelers.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 390 curated attractions in and around Rio de Janeiro, ranked by traveller ratings.
Christ the Redeemer is the highest-rated place to visit in Rio de Janeiro right now.
The largest category is temples, with 128 places to explore.
Travellers also explore São Paulo, Brasília, Fortaleza.
Explore more of Brazil
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
