The Rio de Janeiro culture is electric and can be felt the moment you enter the city. It’s a combination of color, music, heat, joy, grittiness, and movement, often displayed during the Carnival season in Rio de Janeiro. However, you can truly feel the energy any time you come to visit. The city goes beyond fun and exuberance and is also a city of historical importance to Brazil. The following is a description of the things to do in Rio de Janeiro.
At the end of this post, you will find a recommended 3 day itinerary for Rio de Janeiro that highlights the beach, nightlife, and culture that you will find in the city.
A Walking Tour of Rio de Janeiro
When visiting a major city that is so full of character and history, we always recommend starting your stay with a walking tour of the city. Local residents (in Rio de Janeiro, they are called Cariocas) lead the tours and have information about the history and culture that has made the place what it is today. Did you know that Rio de Janeiro was once home to the emperor of the Portuguese empire? And later it was the home of the Brazil Empire, the only empire that was led from South America after colonization.
Rio de Janeiro is rich in history because of its significance as a port city, empire capital, and country capital. Today, even though it is no longer the political capital of Brazil, it is the primary tourism and culture center of Brazil.
This walking tour through the city center displays the different eras of Rio de Janeiro. In addition, your guide may introduce you to the popular and typical Brazilian food, letting you try some in the famous Confeitaria Colombo. The tour ends at the Escadaria Selarón, a modern piece of public art.
The company has other tours within the city, including some pub tours and learning about the African heritage of Brazil.
The Escadaria Selaron
Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón updated the stairs in front of his home with tiles. As the stairs grew in popularity, more and more people started sending him tiles from all around the world to add to the stairs. Today, it has become a popular place for people to take photos. You can make your way up the staircase to try and find spots with fewer people. There are also local entrepreneurs who are eager to move crowds and take your photo along the staircase for a small tip. It is not recommended to go to the very top and beyond the stairs.
The Santa Teresa Neighborhood
The Santa Teresa neighborhood is located on the top of a hill with narrow winding streets. It is famous for its street art and yellow tram that rides through the neighborhood. This is a great place to eat lunch and try the classic feijoada (beef stew). We recommend taking a taxi to and from this neighborhood to explore it safely.
Samba Music
A big part of Rio de Janeiro culture is samba music. Rio de Janeiro is the capital of samba music, a musical genre that originates from Afro-Brazilian communities.
Pedra do Sal in Gamboa
Today, you can experience a street samba party every Monday and Friday at Pedra do Sal in Gamboa. This neighborhood was created by a group of escaped slaves, and it is only fitting that this is the location for a samba party, given that the dance and music originates from the African culture that these slaves brought to Brazil. The samba starts at 8 PM and anyone can join. And to add to the ambiance, you can purchase some drinks and local food to enjoy while dancing the night away.
Music Around the Streets of Copacabana
Casual settings throughout Rio de Janeiro also display samba music. Musicians are seated and play instruments and sing around a roda de samba (samba circle), often at a bar. The audience stands around these musicians, singing along, dancing, clapping, swaying, etc. Because these bars are often narrow, the party typically spills into the streets attracting people all around to join the energy.
Bip Bip, a bar in Copacabana is an amazing institution and a great introduction to Samba music. Here, there are a few fridges in the back of the bar where people can serve themselves drinks while someone keeps track of each person’s tab by hand in the front of the bar. You’ll find that many people are just there to listen to the music. You can observe local regulars, greeting each other, dancing together, and singing along to the songs. The music starts between 8-9 pm and continues on well into the night.
However, this is not something that you have outwardly seek when in Rio de Janeiro. While walking around the Copacabana neighborhood, you may hear live music coming down various streets. Feel free to check it out and find the various samba bars with people dancing in the street. It’s a clear example of how magnetic and inviting these parties truly are.
Sunday's Hippie Market in Ipanema
Every Sunday at Praça General Osório in Ipanema, there is an artisan market. This market lasts all day and is full of artisans, artists, furniture manufacturers, small souvenirs, and food vendors. Wander through the market looking at the art and appreciate the artistry that is apparent in this market. Many artists celebrate the various scenes of Rio de Janeiro so it is a great place to find a souvenir or take advantage of this open-air art museum.
Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer is an enormous sculpture that stands on a mountain over the city. And while you can see it from various viewpoints around the city, going to the top of the mountain is one of the top things to do in Rio de Janeiro. Completed in 1931, the statue is an engineering feat that everyone can now enjoy. It can be visited by train or by van and is best to be visited when it first opens or for sunset.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Sugarloaf Mountain is another famous viewpoint and one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro. Has beautiful views of the famous beaches and the city snaking between the coast and the dramatic mountains that define Rio de Janeiro. The peak of the mountain can be visited with a few cable cars (purchase tickets here) or by rock climbing the rock with a guide. The best time to visit this mountain to avoid crowds is when it opens in the morning or for sunset, avoiding the large cruise ship groups.
Near the base of Sugarloaf Mountain is Praia Vermelha, a darker sand beach where you can rent chairs and umbrellas and enjoy the beautiful view of Sugarloaf Mountain in front of you.
The Urca Neighborhood
Near Sugarloaf Mountain is the beautiful neighborhood of Urca. This quiet neighborhood is one of the oldest in Rio de Janeiro. It has some small beaches and seafood eateries that are perfect to relax in throughout the day.
Copacabana and Ipanema
Copacabana and Ipanema are the famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro. There are many other beaches around the city but these are the two that are the most touristy or near where most tourists stay in the city. Both of these beaches are large and beautiful!
The beach areas of Ipanema and Copacabana are the best places to stay in Rio de Janeiro. Check out your various hotel options for Rio de Janeiro here.
The best way to spend time at the beach
It is completely free to sit on the beach and enjoy the waves and the views. However, due to the amount of sun in Rio de Janeiro, we recommend renting at least a parasol. The vendors line the beach, each with their own tent numbers. Many of these vendors line the boardwalk at the top of the beach to try and sell you on using their area. Just pick a spot that you like and rent the chairs and parasols from the nearest vendor. The beach does get pretty crowded and there are no bad areas for people-watching.
Once you pick a location and a vendor, they rent chairs and parasols, and can make you a variety drinks. They typically have a few sizes of parasols that range in prices. In 2024, they were around $2 US per chair and $2.50 US for a medium parasol and the shade will save you from sunburns and heat-stroke.
Along the beach, people walk by selling clothes, food, and cigarettes. Use your discretion when purchasing the food. (The local chair vendors did not recommend the food to Blueprint Travelers.) Beach clubs along the boardwalk sell food and drinks as well and are a much safer bet.
The Blueprint Travelers Beach Staples
Sunset at Ipanema
Every evening, at Praia do Arpoador (just east of the Ipanema beach), hundreds of locals and tourists gather to watch the sunset. As the sun passes below the horizon line, everyone claps. These collective traditions in Rio de Janeiro feel powerful; everyone stops to experience the same moment in time together, no matter the language or culture barriers.
Staying safe at the beach
While the beach and boardwalk areas are safe, there are a few guidances that you should follow to make sure you have the best time possible:
- Do not leave your valuables unattended. If you intend to go in the water and are alone, bring a dry bag so you can take your things into the water with you.
- Do not walk on the beach after dark. This is when people typically get robbed on the beach
- Watch your bags when walking on the boardwalks, especially when crowded and busy as this is when pickpockets happen
- Take it all in! You are on one of the most beautiful beaches surrounded by an amazing landscape in the middle of a city!
A 3 Day Itinerary with the Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro
This guide is a starting point to exploring the city. Below you will find some of the most significant things to do in the city to give you the best idea of local culture.
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Day 1
Take a walking tour of the city center of Rio de Janeiro
Get lunch and spend the afternoon in the Santa Teresa neighborhood
Walk around Copacabana and enjoy the samba music and dancing
Day 2
Start your morning by visiting Sugarloaf Mountain
Walk around the Urca neighborhood, enjoying the homes, seafood restaurants, and the beaches
Visit Christ the Redeemer for sunset
Visit Pedro do Sal in Gamboa for a fun samba street party
Day 3
Start the morning walking around Parque Lage
Walk around the boardwalks of Copacabana and Ipanema. Find a place on the beach to rent chairs and parasols and relax
Enjoy the sunset at Praia do Arpoador
