Sightseeing & Landmarks in Rio de Janeiro

From the deep bottoms of the ocean, take out time to touch the fluffy clouds through an exciting sightseeing tour of Rio de Janeiro in a helicopter.

Revel in the incredible, unseen and unimaginable views of the Atlantic Ocean, Christ statue, the Rainforests, Copacabana beach, Sugarloaf and Corcovado Mountains.

The romantics love the cruising part of Rio de Janeiro where they get to travel down the sparkling Atlantic waters and visit the nearby Sepetiba Bay, Guanabara Bay and islands of Angra dos Reis. Embark on leisurely day / half-day trip cruise, arresting the beautiful views of Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountains and the panoramic Rio de Janeiro.

The statue of Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) is part of the new edition of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Acting as a representative of Rio, the statue completed 77 years of its existence in 2008. The attraction, inaugurated in 1931, was built approximately 38 meters high and covers 710 meters of the Corcovado Mountain. Initially one had to climb the 220 steps to reach the statue situated on top of the mountain. However, today visitors can get to the statue by a twenty-minute tram ride or by car.

The imposing structure of soapstone and cement provides panoramic views of Rio beyond compare. Book a cog train to the statue through the trails of the Tijuca Forest National Park. The Corcovado Mountain on which Christ the Redeemer sits is a tourist destination in itself, with every inch occupied by frantic visitors.

Be sure to arrive early to get a surreal view of the statue and an amazing view of the city. Entry is free.

About an hour drive away from Rio is Petrópolis, a town also known as 'The Imperial City of Brazil'.

Petrópolis unique location at the foothills of Serra dos Órgãos National Park bestows it with a cool climate, compared to the muggy surroundings of Rio. A popular resort town, the main attraction of Petropolis is the Summer Palace of the former Brazilian Emperors, which is now restored into a museum displaying Imperial memorabilia.

Other notable buildings are the Palacio Cristal glasshouse and the Cathedral.

As the historical and financial hub, Rio’s central district holds many jewels in its purse.

Despite the bustling traffic and skyscrapers, the lanes provide an insight to how Rio was discovered and then consequentially developed in the years that followed.

There are a number of historic landmarks that distinguish Central Rio - The National History Museum, displaying relics from Imperial days, the 17th-century Mosteiro de São Bento church, the 1905 Theatro Municipal, The Paço Imperial; seat of former Portuguese rulers, the baroque styled Igreja Sao Bento church, the 18th-century Passeio Público garden and the 1750 built Arcos da Lapa aqueduct.

Today, these restored structures include many restaurants, art galleries, tea houses and speciality shops for tourists and locals alike.

Inaugurated during the 1950 World Cup, this stadium can hold 100,000 cheering fans. Owned by the Rio de Janeiro State Government. Fans of legends like Ronaldo, Pele, Romario, Carlos Alberto and Nilton Santos will surely love to pay a visit to the Mecca of Football, the Maracanã Stadium. If you are lucky enough, catching one of your favourite players in action is possible. Otherwise, pay a visit to the sports museum.

Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas mostly known as Lagoa is a lagoon and a district in Rio bordered by Ipanema, Leblon, Gávea, Jardim Botânico, Copacabana, Botafogo, and Humaitá districts.

It attracts many tourists during the Christmas season when a special Christmas tree installed on a floating platform moves about in the water. The lagoon is popular for its nightclubs, bars, restaurants and hotels. It is also the headquarters of the soccer teams - Flamengo and Botafogo. There are several free sports courts, aquatic sports facilities and jogger’s lanes, playgrounds for children, and gourmet food kiosks.

Samba City, occupying an area of about 114.000 sq. metres in the adjacent town of Gamboa, is constructed by the City Hall. Its architectural design is geometrical in shape and includes the districts of Saúde, Santo Cristo and Gamboa. The thought behind the architecture is to accept and acknowledge the ancestral samba dance, which originated in Africa.

The Sugar Loaf Cable Car is one of the oldest cable cars in the world and the first one in Brazil. It was launched in 1912, and the invention was the brainchild of Brazilian engineer Augusto Ferreira. Millions of tourists have travelled by cable car, which includes some celebrity names like Roberto Carlos, Brooke Shields and Ronaldinho. The vehicle moves through three stations: Praia Vermelha, Morro da Urca and Pão de Açucar, interconnected by four cable cars.

Named after the traditional sugarloaves used during the yesteryears, the Sugarloaf Mountain is a tall 395-metre peak at Guanabara Bay in the Atlantic Ocean. At the top, tourists will have the chance to capture photos of the sparkling Rio beaches, Christ statue, and the green forests. Situated in Urca, the Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) showcases spectacular mountain views of Rio. The view is best appreciated on a clear day, so check the weather forecast. Visiting the peak at sunset is also breathtaking when the flickering colours of the sun make way for a blanket of stars.

If you want to experience something more in Rio than just the beaches and football, then book a Santa Teresa Tour. Cycle the cobblestone streets idly, visit the Ruins Park and the Chácara do Céu Museum and behold the legendary Selarón Staircase as you descend the hill. Enjoy the tram ride around the Santa Teresa neighbourhood to admire its architectural and cultural beauty.