Attractions Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro -
Attractions region Rio de Janeiro
There's an eternal argument about which view is better, from Sugar Loaf or from here. Corcovado is nearly twice as high (690 m) and offers an excellent view of the Sugar Loaf itself. The sheer 300 m granite face of Corcovado (the name means "hunchback" and refers to the mountain's shape) has always been a difficult undertaking for climbers.
Located atop this mountain is the Statue of the Christ.
The sleek, modern figure rises more than 30 m from a 6 m pedestal and weighs 700 tons. It is one of the tallest statues in the world. The statue represents Jesus standing with outstretched, welcoming arms and is one of the most famous symbols of this lively city.
Developed by the engineer Heitor da Silva Costa and originally conceived in 1921, construction started in mid-1926 and was completed in 1931. The statue sits on top of Corcovado Mountain (Hunchback Mountain) and is located in Tijuca National Park.
Visitors can access the base of the statue, which, at 709 m high, affords superb views of Sugar Loaf Mountain, downtown Rio de Janeiro and Rio's beaches. Visitors can take a train to the top of the mountain to see the statue up-close and to enjoy the stunning views. In the evening a powerful lighting system transforms it into a dramatic icon.
Surrounding Corcovado is the tropical Tijuca Forest. It's covered with exotic trees and thick jungle vines and has a delightful waterfall, the Cascatinha de Taunay.
About 180 m beyond the waterfall is the small pink-and-purple Mayrink Chapel. From several points along this national park's 96 km of narrow winding roads the views are breathtaking. Some of the most spectacular are from Dona Marta, on the way up Corcovado; the Emperor's Table, supposedly where Brazil's last emperor, Pedro II, took his court for picnics; and, farther down the road, the Chinese View, the area where Portuguese king João VI allegedly settled the first Chinese immigrants to Brazil, who came in the early 19th century to develop tea plantations.
This is one of the greatest tropical botanical gardens and arboretums of the world. It was founded in 1808. The garden, located on a 350-acre site below high peaks, has a collection of over 6000 varieties of plants.
 Shaped like a Victorian sugar loaf and 396 m tall,
Sugar Loaf Mountain stands high above the city of Rio de Janeiro and Baía de Guanabara (Guanabara Bay).
The mountain is one of the most famous in the world and is a spectacular backdrop to Brazil's most lively city.
Visitors can get atop the mountain by a panoramic cable car and see excellent views of Rio de Janeiro from the top of the mountain and sunsets are said to be spectacular.
The elegant, 19th century granite-and-marble palace became the presidential residence after the 1889 coup overthrew the monarchy and established the Republic of Brazil. 18 presidents lived here. Inside is the Museu da República, containing a view of the bedroom where President Getúlio Vargas committed suicide in 1954 after the military threatened to overthrow his government. Presidential memorabilia, furniture, and paintings that date from the proclamation of the republic to the end of Brazil's military regime in 1985 are also displayed.
Finished in 1909, the Teatro Municipal was built along the lines of the Paris Opera. Today, it is home to the city's orchestra, opera and ballet ensembles. In neoclassical style, all in marble, granite and bronze, it is the most prestigious venue in the country for big performances.
The exterior of this 1960 metropolitan cathedral looks like a concrete beehive. The daring modern design stands in sharp contrast to the baroque style of other churches.
But inside outstanding stained-glass windows transform the interior into a warm yet serious place of worship that accommodates up to 20,000 people.
The Convent of St Anthony was completed in 1780, but some parts date from 1615, making it one of Rio's oldest structures. Its baroque interior contains priceless colonial art, including wood carvings and wall paintings. The sacristy is covered with azulejos (Portuguese tiles). The church has no bell tower; its bells hang from a double arch on the monastery ceiling.
The classic symmetry of Candelária's white dome and bell towers casts an unexpected air of sanity over the chaos of downtown traffic. The church was built on the site of a chapel founded in 1610 by Antônio de Palma after he survived a shipwreck; paintings in the present dome tell his tale.
Construction on the present church began in 1775, and although it was formally dedicated by the emperor in 1811, work on the dome wasn't completed until 1877. The sculpted bronze doors were exhibited at the 1889 world's fair in Paris.
Set atop a hill, this baroque church is visible from many spots in the city, making it a landmark that's truly cherished by the Cariocas. Its location was a strategic point in the city's early days. Estácio da Sá took this hill from the French in the 1560s and then went on to expand the first settlement and found a city for the Portuguese. The church, which wasn't built until 1739, is notable for its octagonal floor plan, large dome, ornamental stonework and tile work. The church has a small museum inside with baroque art.
The Cariocas love the beach, so from dawn until dusk and even after dark, the residents of Rio can be found enjoying the long stretches of sandy coastline with which the city is blessed. The beach is not merely a place to absorb the sun's rays but also an important venue for sports, socializing and even business. It is a people-watcher's paradise, clothing is minimal and bodies are bronzed and beautiful.
Copacabana Beach is one of the world's most famous beaches. Located right in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, it is also one of the most energetic beaches in the world with thousands of visitors coming to its 4 km stretch of sand every year. The area is busy both day and night. Copacabana's privileged live on beachfront Avenida Atlântica, famed for its wide mosaic sidewalks, hotels, and cafés. On weekends, 2 of the avenue's lanes are closed to traffic and are taken over by joggers, rollerbladers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
 2 blocks inland from and parallel to the beach is Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana, the main commercial street, with shops, restaurants, and sidewalks crowded with the colorful characters that give Copacabana its flavor.
At the Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf) end is Leme, a natural extension of Copacabana. A rock formation juts into the water here, forming a quiet cove that's less crowded than the rest of the beach. There are also fine examples of Art Deco architecture in the area, such as the Copacabana Palace Hotel which was built in 1923. Copacabana Fort, which was built in 1914 to defend Guanabara Bay, is situated at the end of the beach and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Ipanema has a reputation of being a little more sedate than its neighbor Copacabana.
Although this is more famously known as the "family beach" among Brazil beaches, it is nonetheless the beach to go to if you want to see the girls parading the latest designs in tropical swimwear.
Activities on Ipanema beach include the traditional Brazilian favorite of volleyball. Ipanema's outstanding soft white sand and cool blue water make this beach very popular for swimming and sunbathing.
Cariocas consider the 18 km-long beach at Barra da Tijuca to be Rio's best.
Pollution isn't a problem, and in many places neither are crowds. Barra's water is cooler and its breezes more refreshing than those at other beaches. The waves can be strong in spots; this attracts surfers, windsurfers, and jet skiers, but you should swim with caution. At the far end of Barra's beachfront avenue, Sernambetiba, is Recreio dos Bandeirantes, a 1 km stretch of sand anchored by a huge rock, which creates a small protected cove. Its privacy makes it popular with families.
About 5 minutes beyond Prainha, is Grumari, a beach that seems an incarnation of paradise. It does not have many facilities, only a couple thatch-roof huts selling drinks and snacks, but the natural beauty makes up for it.
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