I Want to Go to There: a mini guide to Rio de Janeiro
The marvelous city, indeed
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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is known for a lot of things, good, bad and everything in between: sandy beaches, bikini-clad bods, samba and Carnaval; but also a high crime rate and income equality in the form of luxury condos perched next to favelas.
Still, known as “the marvelous city,” Rio is hard to find a comparison anywhere else in the world. Most visitors are struck by the beauty of a major metropolis nestled among verdant hills, boat-filled bays and long stretches of beaches, with a beautiful view nearly everywhere you look.
Good Trip Founder Brandy recently visited for the second time, and is sharing tips and suggestions for your next jaunt to one of the most stunning cities in the world.
Note: You’ll find some major attractions on this list, but this isn’t the definitive guide, and may not include some obvious sites like the Christ the Redeemer statue. There are many other guides out there to find that info.
Do
Pão de Açúcar
The “Sugarloaf” Mountain is one of the most famous sites in Rio (and is even the location in a less-than-stellar Bond movie). Take the cable car up to the top for awe-inducing views of the city.
Royal Portuguese Reading Room
Want to feel like Belle in Beauty and the Beast? Visit this 19th century rare books collection in the historic city center.
Museu de Arte Moderna (Museum of Modern Art)
Situated on the water next to the Guanabara Bay, the Modernist concrete building is home to modern art exhibits. On Good Trip’s visit, it was inaugurating a new exhibit themed around the creation of legacy and memory by Black Brazilian artists.
Ipanema Beach
She’s an icon for a reason. There are several beaches to choose from in Rio, but you can’t go wrong with renting a chair and an umbrella from a barraca at Ipanema Beach. Sit back, enjoy a beer, and don’t forget sunscreen.
Santa Teresa “bonde”
Take the small yellow tram up into the hills of Santa Teresa, a former artists’ neighborhood filled with crumbling old mansions, a bohemian spirit, and views from every corner. A particular highlight is “Parque das Ruínas,” the ruins of a former mansion with panoramic views.
Eat & Drink
Lilia
This contemporary restaurant sits on the second floor of a historic building in the city center, and offers an affordable, creative set menu with appetizer, main dish and dessert.
Aprazível
You’ll feel like you’re dining in a treehouse in this outdoor restaurant situated at the top of Santa Teresa. The wood pavilions offer not only delicious food and drink but views stretching over the city.
Pavão Azul
Botecos are a must in Rio and Brazil overall, and can be found on any corner. This one offers cold chopp (draft beer) and is famous for its pataniscas de bacalhau, fried cod snacks. It also cooks up huge, cheap portions of other classics like shrimp risotto and shrimp stew.
Confeitaria Colombo
You’ll feel like you stepped back in time visiting this coffee house in Rio’s historic center. Existing for 127 years, the grand two story cafe is reminiscent of old world coffee houses in Vienna. The service and coffee are iffy, but the whole experience is worth a stop in.
Marchezinho
This small bar, restaurant and market serves only local food and drink producers. Its large sidewalk seating gives off a decidedly French café feel, but with laidback Brazilian vibes.
Bar Urca
Grab a cold beer from the counter, cross the street and grab a seat on the low wall facing Guanabara Bay. A uniquely Rio experience, this laidback watering hole offers the chance to drink a cold one looking at boats bobbing in the water.
Stay
Selina Lapa
The international hostel/hotel chain has renovated a historic building in one of Rio’s busiest nightlife areas, offering private rooms with high ceilings, brick walls and large sunny windows. It also has a rooftop bar and lobby cafe, offering an unfussy, stylish yet affordable stay close to museums, the historic center and Santa Teresa.
If you’re a longtime reader of Good Trip, you’ll notice this is a different format than usual! We’d like to test more I Want to Go to There mini guides. Is it of interest? If so, let us know by liking or commenting on the post.
