What to see in Rio de Janeiro: the best-known sights

The best-known places in Rio de Janeiro, ordered by how much interest they draw around the world, with a short summary of each.

A list built from open Wikipedia and Wikidata data, ordered by how much interest the places draw around the world. Check opening hours and prices before you go.

  1. Christ the Redeemer

    statuemonument

    Christ the Redeemer is an Art Deco statue of Jesus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, created by French-Polish sculptor Paul Landowski and built by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa.

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    See on Wikipedia

  2. Maracanã Stadium

    stadiumall-seater stadium

    Estádio do Maracanã, officially known as Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, is an association football stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    See on Wikipedia

  3. Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro

    beach

    Copacabana is a Brazilian bairro located in the South Zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is most prominently known for its 4 km balneario beach, which is one of the most famous in the world.

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    See on Wikipedia

  4. Sugarloaf Mountain

    mountaincliff

    Sugarloaf Mountain is a peak situated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on a peninsula at the mouth of Guanabara Bay. Rising 396 m above the harbor, the peak is named for its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined sugarloaf.

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    See on Wikipedia

  5. Guanabara Bay

    bay

    Guanabara Bay is an oceanic bay in Southeast Brazil in the state of Rio de Janeiro. On its western shore lie the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Duque de Caxias, and on its eastern shore are the cities of Niterói and São Gonçalo.

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    See on Wikipedia

  6. Corcovado

    mountainnatural heritage

    Corcovado is a mountain in central Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is a 710-metre granite peak located in the Tijuca Forest, a national park.

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    See on Wikipedia

  7. Ipanema

    beach

    Ipanema is a neighbourhood located in the South Zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between Leblon and Arpoador.

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    See on Wikipedia

  8. National Museum of Brazil

    national museum

    The National Museum of Brazil is the oldest scientific institution of Brazil. It is located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, where it is installed in the Paço de São Cristóvão, which is inside the Quinta da Boa Vista.

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    See on Wikipedia

  9. Rio–Niterói Bridge

    girder bridgetoll bridge

    The Rio–Niterói Bridge, officially the President Costa e Silva Bridge, is a box girder bridge spanning the Guanabara Bay, connecting the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Niterói in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    See on Wikipedia

  10. National Library of Brazil

    librarynational library

    The National Library of Brazil is the depository of the bibliographic and documentary heritage of Brazil. It is located in Rio de Janeiro, the capital city of Brazil from 1763 to 1960, more specifically at Cinelândia square.

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    See on Wikipedia

  11. Tijuca National Park

    national park

    The Tijuca National Park is an urban national park in the mountains of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    See on Wikipedia

  12. Valongo Wharf

    ruinsarchaeological site

    The Valongo Wharf is an old dock located in the port area of Rio de Janeiro, between the current Coelho e Castro and Sacadura Cabral streets.

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    See on Wikipedia

Texts and photos come from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, generally under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license: the author and license of each text and photo are on the article page linked at each place. Place data from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Going to Rio de Janeiro?

Build the trip's itinerary, map, budget and bookings in one place, and plan together with whoever is going with you.

Plan this trip