Rio de Janeiro is a fascinating city that is bustling with culture and has an incredibly rich atmosphere. It would be easy to spend weeks there without exploring it all. However, if you only had a short amount of time there, here are some things that would be well worth doing.
Corcovado Mountain
The world-famous ‘Christ the Redeemer’ statue sits atop Corcovado Mountain and is one of Rio’s most iconic sites. It gets incredibly busy during the day, however, so it’s best to get there as early as possible if you want to avoid the crowds. You can reach the top by hiking or taking a train. Either way, there are stunning panoramic views of Rio and the coast once you reach the summit.
Copacabana Beach
Copacabana Beach is in some ways the cultural heart of Rio de Janeiro. It is busy all year round, but that is part of the appeal as you can soak up the atmosphere. People are constantly playing football or volleyball, or swimming in the ocean. Why not bring a ball and join in the fun?
Sugarloaf Mountain
Sugarloaf Mountain is a promontory of rock just off the mainland of Rio. You can take a cable car up to the top and gain stunning views across the city, as well as of the Christ the Redeemer statue. Sugarloaf Mountain is a fantastic place to visit at the sunset as well as the views are incredible.
