Rio de Janeiro Tourist Attractions

Situation and Characteristics

The city of Rio de Janeiro, founded on March 1st 1565 on the west side of Guanabara Bay, was capital of Brazil from 1763 to 1960, when it gave place to Brasília.

Carnival

Rio de Janeiro is perhaps most well-known for its flamboyant, annual Carnival festival which is typically held a week before Good Friday. The Carnival attracts thousands of locals and foreigners alike, who gather to watch the dazzling parade.

Sugar Loaf

Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf)

The Sugar Loaf is perhaps Rio de Janeiro's best-known landmark. Between it and the Morro do Urubu is the 100 meter long Praia Vermelha ("Red Beach"). Nearby are a number of units of the Brazilian army's Military Academy and the 15m/50ft high monument to the heroes of Laguna and Dourados. From Praça General Tibúrcio a cableway runs up to the top of the Morro da Urca (215m/705ft), from which a second cableway runs to the summit of the Sugar Loaf (394m/1293ft).

Highlights:	São Bento São Francisco da Penitência Nossa Senhora da Candelária Paço Imperial National Historical Museum Nossa Senhora da Lapa dos Mercadores Parça 15 da Novembro Monte do Carmo & Nossa Senhora do Carmo	Lapa Arch Arco do Telles Chafariz da Pirâmide Museu Naval e Oceanográfico Santo Antônio Santa Cruz dos Militares Cathedral of São Sebastião Museum of the Image and Sound

Praça Tiradentes

Highlights:	Campo da Santana Museum of History and Diplomacy Sambódromo	São Francisco de Paula Teatro João Caetano

Cinelândia

Highlights:	Municipal Park Nossa Senhora da Glório do Outeiro National Library Museum of the Republic	National Museum of Art Municipal Theatre Museum of Folk Art

Botafogo

Highlights:	Morro da Urca	Mirante do Pasmado

Tijuca National Park

As the largest National Park in Brazil, Tijuca National Park encompasses a giant-sized statue of Christ, the Tijuca Forest and the Morro da Vista Chinesa.

Highlights:	Tijuca Forest Statue of Christ on Corcovado Morro da Vista Chinesa	Largo do Boticário Mirante Dona Marta

Copacabana

Copacabana, a world-famous beach in Rio, spans 4km across a district in the city that is 100 years old. Tourists can find the best hotels and restaurants in the city in close proximity to Copacabana beach.

Highlights:	Copacabana Fort	Copacabana Palace Hotel

Tijuca

Highlights:	Ilha de Paquetá	Vila Isabel

São Cristóvão

Highlights:	National Museum Quinta da Boa Vista	Fauna Museum

Santa Tereza

Since 1896 trams have been running over the Arcos da Lapa to Santa Tereza, a district of steep, quiet streets and hundred-year-old houses occupied by artists and intellectuals. The various tram routes lead to a variety of picturesque viewpoints.

Arpoador

Arpoador lies to the south of Copacabana.

Ipanema & Leblon

Ipanema

Leblon

The beaches of Ipanema and Leblon, along which run Avenidas Vieira Souto and Delfim Moreira, are separated by the Jardim de Alá Canal, which drains the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. Along the seafront promenade are large hotels, sidewalk cafés and restaurants; and in addition these two districts of the city have a lively cultural life. In Praça General Osório in Ipanema is the Saracuras Fountain (by Mestre Valentim, 1795), and in this square is held Feirarte I, a fair for the sale of antiques, craft products, pictures, etc. In Praça de Quental in Leblon there is an antiques market every Sunday.