What to do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Downtown

This is the place where you can find pretty much everything about the traditional Rio, the culture, the economics, the history. You can visit the XV Square, where you can take the ferryboat to Niterói or visit the residence of the emperors, or maybe visit the Municipal Theatre, to see a breathtaking architecture or even a marvelous play with its own opera.

Lapa (MetrôRio - Cinelândia Station) The neighborhood in Rio that has the most variety of musical styles (samba, forró, MPB, blues and more recently, electronic music and rock). Famous for its nightlife, one of the striking features of the neighborhood is the harmony between the most diverse urban tribes. For the major pathways, Av. Mem de Sá, Riachuelo Street and Lavradio, spread attractions such as the Sala Cecilia Meireles, that is considered the best concert of chamber music existing in Rio, The Public Promenade, the National School of Music and the Church of Our Lady of Lapa do Desterro. It hosts Arcos da Lapa (Carioca Aqueduct), which was built in the middle of the 18th century to bring fresh water from the Carioca river to the population of the city. A bondinho (tram) leaves from a station at Lapa, crosses the aqueduct (converted to a tram viaduct in 1896) and rambles through the hilly streets of the Santa Teresa neighbourhood.

National Library (MetrôRio - Cinelândia Station) The Biblioteca Nacional is the storage of the bibliographic and documentary heritage of Brazil. It is the world’s seventh larger library and Latin America’s number one and its collection includes over 9 million items. The library was inaugurated when the Portuguese royal family arrived in Brazil. Address: Av. Rio Branco, 219, Centro (Cinelândia) – Rio de Janeiro 20040-008. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cristianodexter/389625559/

National Fine Arts Museum (MetrôRio - Cinelândia Station) The Museu Nacional de Belas Artes has 16 thousand works of art among painting, sculpture, drawings and engraving. Artists represented include: Frans Post, Nicolas-Antoine Taunay, Jean Baptiste Debret, Félix Taunay, Victor Meirelles, Pedro Américo, Almeida Júnior, Rodolfo Amoedo, Zeferino da Costa, Rodolfo Bernardelli, Eliseu Visconti, Candido Portinari, Djanira, Tarsila do Amaral, Emiliano Di Cavalcanti, Oswaldo Goeldi, Cícero Dias, Lasar Segall, Amílcar de Castro, Louis Eugène Boudin and Pablo Picasso. Address: Av. Rio Branco, 199 - Centro (Cinelândia), Rio de Janeiro, 20040-008. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ingridmacieira/4075782387/

Modern Art Museum Built in 1953, this is the Museu de Arte Moderna by Affonso Eduardo Reidy in Flamengo Park, Rio de Janeiro. Roberto Burle Marx was the landscape architect. The modern style building sits in the middle of gardens near downtown. The park is crucial for transitioning the horizontal concrete to the ocean and to the city. It holds 10 thousand pieces including Brazilian photography, works of Anita Malfati, Di Cavalcanti, among many others. Address: Avenida Infante Dom Henrique, 85 - Parque do Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro 20021-140.

National Historical Museum (MetrôRio - Cinelândia Station) The National Historical Museum of Brazil, created in 1922, is one of the most important historical museums in Brazil, consisting of over 287,000 items, among which the largest numismatic collection of Latin America. The architectonic complex that houses the museum had its beginning with the construction of Santiago Fort, at the Calaboose Point, one of the strategic places for the defense of the city. Address: Rua da Misericórdia, s/n - Rio de Janeiro , 20021-250.

Municipal Theater (MetrôRio - Cinelândia Station) One of the most beautiful downtown’s buildings, the Municipal Theater was founded in July 1909. The building is designed in eclectic style, inspired by the Paris Opera, designed by Charles Garnier. The house has almost 1,700 seats distributed on four levels. Address: Praca Marechal Floriano, Rio de Janeiro – Centro (Cinelândia).

Candelária Church (MetrôRio - Cinelândia Station)

The Candelária Church is an important historical church in the city of Rio de Janeiro. It was built and decorated during a long period (1775 to the end of the 19th century) and combines a Baroque façade with a Neoclassical and Neo-Renaissance inner decoration. Address: Rua Candelária, 81, Centro - Rio de Janeiro 20091-020.

Colombo’s Coffee Shop (MetrôRio – Carioca Station) One of the most well-known coffee shops in Brazil, it is certainly a place to have a snack in downtown. The building is from the late 1890’s and it is a spot you can’t miss. Its famous sweets are unforgettable. Address: Rua Gonçalves Dias, 32 Centro, Rio de Janeiro 20050-030.

Quinze de Novembro Square (MetrôRio – Carioca Station) This square was important to the history of imperial Brazil. It holds the stock market in Rio de Janeiro and this is where you take the ferryboat to Niterói or Paquetá. Located in the Praça XV is the Imperial Palace built in the 18th century to serve as residence for the governors of colonial Brazil. From 1808, it was used as a royal residence by King John VI of Portugal as King of Portugal and later also as King of Brazil. In 1822 it became the city palace of the rulers of the Empire of Brazil, Pedro I and Pedro II. It was one of the main political centers of Brazil for nearly 150 years, from 1743 to 1889 .

Banco do Brasil Cultural Center (MetrôRio – Uruguaiana Station) Housed in an imposing domed building in the heart of downtown Rio, the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil is a popular contemporary art space. It has three floors house exhibition rooms, a theatre, an auditorium and a cinema. Address: Rua Primeiro de Março, 66, Centro, Rio de Janeiro 23010-080.

Casa França – Brasil (MetrôRio – Uruguaiana Station) This cultural centre, Brazil's first neo-classical building, was built in 1820. Designed by French architect Grandjean de Montigny, it started as an indoor market. Today, it is home to different exhibitions reflecting the cultural relationship between France and Brazil, through exhibits that include painting, photography, prints and sculpture. Entry is free. There is also a restaurant on the premises. Address: Rua Visconde de Itaboraí, 78, Centro, Rio de Janeiro 20010-060.

Portuguese Royal Library (MetrôRio – Uruguaiana Station) The Portuguese Royal Library, traditional library and Lusophone cultural institution, is located at Rua Luís de Camões, in downtown Rio. The institution was founded in 1837 by a group of forty-three Portuguese immigrants, political refugees, to promote culture amongst the Portuguese community in what was then the capital of the Empire.

São Bento Monastery (MetrôRio – Uruguaiana Station) It is a historical monastery and one of the most important monuments to the colonial art in the country. Founded in 1590 by monks from Bahia, the Benedictine Monastery in Rio de Janeiro was built in response to the city’s first citizens. Nowadays, in the middle of a great metropolis, people still find a place of silence, prayer and diverse activities directed by the monks.

Sambodrome (MetrôRio – Praça Onze Station) The Sambodrome was designed by Oscar Niemeyer and build in 1984. It consists of 700m stretch of the Marquês de Sapucaí Street converted into a permanent parade ground with bleachers built on either side for spectators. Its capacity is 90,000. Outside Carnival Season, the Praça da Apoteose is occasionally used as a venue for international concerts. In December, the samba schools begin holding technical rehearsals at the Sambodrome, leading up to Carnival.

Santa Tereza The Santa Teresa Historic Tramway is a suburban tramway network in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is the only remaining metropolitan tram system in Brazil (and South America), and also the oldest in operation, having run continuously since its opening in 1859. Santa Teresa is famous for its winding, narrow streets which are a favorite spot for artists and tourists. One of Santa Teresa's most illustrious inhabitants was Raimundo Otoni Castro Maya, an art collector who lived in his Chácara do Céu mansion in the neighbourhood. The mansion was turned into a museum (Museu da Chácara do Céu) and its exhibits include works by Picasso, Matisse, Monet, Jean Metzinger, Eliseu Visconti and Candido Portinari. The offer of restaurants and bars is also very varied.

South Area

This part of the city has the most of the natural beauty, night life, restaurants and shops. This is where Fundação Getulio Vargas is placed.

Sugar Loaf (Metrô Rio – Botafogo Station + Bus Botafogo-Urca 511ª) Sugar Loaf Mountain (in Portuguese, Pão de Açúcar), is a peak situated in front of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean. Rising 396 meters (1,299 ft) above sea-level.

Corcovado (Christ Redeemer) (Metrô Rio – Largo do Machado Station + Bus Largo do Machado – Cosme Velho 422A) The Corcovado Rack Railway (in Portuguese: Trem do Corcovado, “Corcovado train”) is a mountain railway line that runs from Cosme Velho neighborhood to the summit of Corcovado Mountain of an altitude of 710m (2,330 ft). The summit is known for its statue of Christ the Redeemer and its view over the city.

Flamengo Park (Metrô Rio – Glória, Catete, Largo do Machado and Flamengo Stations) The Aterro do Flamengo (in Portuguese), is the largest leisure area of Rio. It has a strong sport tradition. With gardens designed by world-known landscapist Burle Marx and sitting by the margins of Guanabara Bay, Flamengo Park holds the Modern Art Museum, the Carmem Miranda Museum and the Monument to the World War II dead soldiers, besides Marina da Glória, the main venue for the Rio sailing competitions.

Lage Park (Metrô Rio – Botafogo Station + Metrô na Superfície – Hospital da Lagoa Station) Lage is a public park located at the bottom of Corcovado. Inside the house there is the Parque Lage’s Visual Arts School.

Botanical Garden (Metrô Rio – Botafogo Station + Metrô na Superfície – Jardim Botânico Station) The Jardim Botânico was founded in 1808 by John VI of Portugal. Open to the public from Monday to Sunday from 8am to 5pm, the Botanical Garden is also a research institute that houses collections that include bromeliads, orchids, carnivorous plants and cacti.

Copacabana Fortress This is where you get to take the classical photo of Copacabana Beach you see on postcards. Take a short walk uphill for photos of Arpoador, Ipanema and Leblon. The Forte de Copacabana was built by the military around 1908. Today Forte de Copacabana is a cultural center, and you are welcome to visit inside.

Cobal do Humaitá A large farmers market on the western edge of Botafogo (Voluntários da Pátria Street), the Cobal transforms into a casual nightspot with live music and open-air eating and drinking. Cobal do Humaitá is a leisure and a gastronomic complex for every taste.

Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, mostly known as "Lagoa", is a lagoon, a neighborhood, a park and a leisure area surrounded by Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Gávea, and Jardim Botânico. The lagoon is connected to the Atlantic, allowing sea water to enter. The food “quiosques” around Lagoa are a popular choice for casual dining in Rio.

Planetarium The planetarium, located at Gávea neighborhood, opened doors in 1979, and it kept up to date with technological innovations. The projector weighing about 3 tons uses optic fibers and the latest computers to turn the dome into a credible replica of a starry sky. The theater has almost 300 seats, and the 180-degree cinema was the first South of the Equator. There is a small museum, shop and library.

North Area National Museum (Metrô Rio – São Cristóvão Station) The National Museum of Brazil is a centenarian museum and research institution, located in the Quinta da Boa Vista Park. The Museum shelters one of the largest exhibits of the Americas, consisting of animals, insects, minerals, aboriginal collections of utensils, Egyptians mummies and South American archaeological artifacts, meteorites, fossils and many other findings. Address: Quinta da Boa Vista, São Cristóvão CEP 20940-040 Rio de Janeiro.

Jardim Zoológico The Zoo of Rio is perhaps the most popular attraction of the Quinta da Boa Vista Park. It was inaugurated in 1945 and is the oldest in Brazil. Among its over 2000 animals, the collections of Brazilian monkeys and birds are particularly important.

Maracanã The Maracanã is an open-air stadium, named after the Maracanã neighbourhood, in Rio. It was opened in 1950 to host the FIFA World Cup. In 2010 the Maracanã will be closed for renovations and upgrade of total capacity to around 90,000 spectators in preparations for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics/Paralympics as it will be the main stadium in both events.

Tijuca Forest The largest urban forest in Rio with over 100 square kilometers. The forest shares its name with the Tijuca bairro or neighborhood that contains it. The Tijuca Forest is home to hundreds of species of plants and wildlife, many threatened by extinction, found only in the Atlantic Rainforest. The area is so big it is easy to get lost, and we recommend going on a tour to enjoy the most of it safely.

West Area

The West Area (in Portuguese: "Zona Oeste") is the region furthest from the centre of Rio de Janeiro. Known as the “Miami Carioca”, it remains an area of accelerated growth, attracting some of the richer sectors of the population as well as luxury companies. High rise flats and sprawling shopping centers give the area a far more American feel than the rest of the city.

Reference: Metrô Rio website – Tourist Tips (http://www.metrorio.com.br/en/turismo.htm) Rio de Janeiro at Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_de_Janeiro) The insider’s Guide do Rio de Janeiro (www.ipanema.com)