Earn OneKeyCash when you sign in and book an activity
Discover Rio de Janeiro: A Guided Tour
By CloudGuide S.L
Free cancellation available
includes taxes & fees
per adult
Features
- Free cancellation available
- 8h 30m
- Mobile voucher
- Instant confirmation
Overview
Discover Rio de Janeiro's intoxicating beauty and infectious energy with the self-guided audio tour, allowing you to explore Brazil's marvellous city at your own pace. Begin at the feet of Christ the Redeemer where one of the New Seven Wonders of the World stretches open arms above a landscape of such dramatic beauty that it seems impossible and inevitable in equal measure. Ride the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain as the sun sets behind the city, painting Guanabara Bay in shades of gold and purple that have inspired poets since the Portuguese first arrived in 1502. Stroll along the iconic mosaic pavements of Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. Wander through the colonial streets of Santa Teresa where artists have transformed hillside mansions into galleries and studios, then descend the Escadaria Selarón steps whose 2,000 colourful tiles represent 60 countries. Explore the samba clubs of Lapa where live music keeps Cariocas dancing until dawn.
Activity location
- Copacabana Beach
- Av. Atlantica - Copacabana,
- 22070-011, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Meeting/Redemption Point
- Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de Janeiro
- 1702 Avenida Atlântica
- 22021-001, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Check availability
Discover Rio de Janeiro: A Guided Tour
- 8h 30m
- English
Language options: English
Price details
£6.05 x 1 Adult£6.05
Total
includes taxes & fees
What's included, what's not
- Digital Map.
- Self-guided walking tour (app)
- Access to the audio guide for 50+ Rio de Janeiro attractions and hidden spots.
- Private transport
Know before you book
- Not recommended for travellers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
- Public transport options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- In accordance with UK consumer law, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.
- This activity is provided by a professional trader (a party acting within their trade, business or profession).
Activity itinerary
Christ the Redeemer (Pass by)
The 30-meter Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ has watched over Rio from the summit of Corcovado Mountain since 1931, its open arms embracing the cidade maravilhosa in a gesture that has become the defining image of Brazil itself. The journey to the summit—by cog railway through the Tijuca Forest or van up winding roads—builds anticipation before the final climb reveals the statue and the panorama that stretches from Sugarloaf to the beaches of the Zona Sul and the mountains beyond. Clear mornings offer the best visibility, though the drama of clouds swirling around the outstretched arms creates its own magic on misty days.
Copacabana Beach
- 1h
The world's most famous urban beach stretches four kilometres along Avenida Atlântica, its Portuguese wave-pattern pavements, grand hotels, and the constant parade of Cariocas creating the scene that has defined Rio's image since the 1920s. The beach's democratic culture brings together all social classes—favela residents and millionaires share the same sand and surf—while the volleyball courts, football games, and coconut vendors maintain traditions that predate the high-rise hotels. The Copacabana Palace Hotel has anchored the beachfront since 1923, its guest list reading like a 20th-century who's who from Marlene Dietrich to Princess Diana.
Ipanema Beach
- 40m
The beach immortalised in the bossa nova classic 'The Girl from Ipanema' has evolved from bohemian enclave to Rio's most fashionable address, its two kilometres of sand divided into informal sections for different tribes—families, LGBTQ+ crowds, surfers, intellectuals. The Dois Irmãos mountains rising at the beach's western end provide one of Rio's most photographed backdrops while the sunset behind the Arpoador rocks draws crowds who applaud as the sun touches the sea. The adjacent neighborhood's boutiques, restaurants, and the Hippie Fair each Sunday complete Ipanema's appeal as Rio's most desirable destination.
Sugarloaf Mountain (Pass by)
The granite monolith rising 396 metres from Guanabara Bay has symbolised Rio since the city's founding, its distinctive profile greeting every ship entering the harbour and providing the viewpoint that reveals why Rio's landscape inspires such superlatives. The two-stage cable car system, operating since 1912, rises first to Urca Hill before continuing to the summit where 360-degree views encompass Christ the Redeemer, the beaches, city centre Rio, and the Niterói bridge spanning the bay. Sunset visits create the most dramatic photography as the city lights emerge below, though morning clarity offers the most distant views.
Santa Teresa
- 30m
This hillside area of colonial mansions and winding streets has attracted artists and bohemians since the 19th century, its elevated position above the heat and chaos providing both literal and figurative distance from city centre Rio. The Escadaria Selarón—215 steps covered in colourful tiles from 60 countries, created by Chilean artist Jorge Selarón over 23 years—has become one of Rio's most photographed locations. The neighborhood's ateliers, restaurants with panoramic views, and the Museum Chácara do Céu create a complete destination while the historic tram system (when operating) provides the most romantic approach.
Lapa
- 30m
Rio's nightlife district comes alive after dark when samba clubs, live music venues, and street parties beneath the Arcos da Lapa—the 18th-century aqueduct that once supplied the city—create the soundtrack of Carioca revelry. The neighborhood's colonial architecture, much of it lovingly restored, provides atmospheric setting for the bars and clubs where Cariocas dance to samba, pagode, and forró until the sun rises. Friday and Saturday nights bring the largest crowds, but authentic samba schools and botequins host local musicians throughout the week for those seeking experiences beyond the tourist-oriented mega-clubs.
Centro
- 30m
Rio's historic centre preserves the colonial and imperial architecture that served as Brazil's capital from 1763 until Brasília's inauguration in 1960, its churches, palaces, and public buildings documenting the wealth and ambition of Portuguese colonialism. The Praça XV, Candelária Church, and the National Library anchor a walking route that reveals baroque splendour and neoclassical grandeur while the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura contains one of the world's most beautiful library interiors. The area's working-day bustle contrasts with weekend quiet, when the streets empty and the architecture can be appreciated without competing for pavement space.
Museu do Amanha (Pass by)
Santiago Calatrava's futuristic museum explores the major questions facing humanity—where we came from, who we are, and where we're going—through immersive exhibitions that blend science, philosophy, and spectacular design. The building's white form extending over the revitalised Porto Maravilha waterfront has become an architectural icon while the surrounding Olympic Boulevard plaza provides public space and views of Guanabara Bay. The museum represents Rio's ongoing urban transformation, converting the former industrial port into cultural destination and public amenity.
Tijuca National Park
- 1h
The world's largest urban rainforest spreads across 32 square kilometres of mountains within Rio's city limits, its trails, waterfalls, and viewpoints providing escape from the beach scene into the Atlantic Forest ecosystem that once covered the entire coast. The forest was replanted in the 19th century after deforestation threatened Rio's water supply, making Tijuca both natural wonder and remarkable conservation success storey. Hiking trails range from easy waterfall walks to challenging peaks, while the road through the forest provides driving access to Vista Chinesa and other panoramic viewpoints.
Jardim Botanico
- 1h
Rio's botanical garden has cultivated tropical specimens since 1808 when the Portuguese royal family established this haven of palms, orchids, and the iconic Avenue of Imperial Palms whose 134 trees create one of the world's most impressive garden vistas. The 137-hectare gardens showcase Brazilian and international flora while resident monkeys, toucans, and sloths add wildlife encounters to the botanical experience. The garden's combination of scientific collection, romantic landscaping, and peaceful atmosphere provides respite from Rio's intensity while remaining easily accessible from Ipanema and Leblon.
Maracana Stadium
- 30m
The legendary stadium hosted the 1950 and 2014 World Cup finals and remains one of football's most hallowed grounds, its renovated bowl still capable of generating the atmosphere that made the original Maracanã's 200,000-capacity crowds famous worldwide. Stadium tours access the pitch, locker rooms, and the walk of fame celebrating Brazilian football legends from Pelé to Neymar. Match day experiences—even for minor league games—reveal the passion that makes Brazilian football culture uniquely intense, with organised fan groups creating coordinated displays of drums, flags, and songs throughout the match.
Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon
- 1h
This saltwater lagoon between Ipanema, Leblon, and the Jardim Botânico provides a 7.5-kilometer circuit for joggers, cyclists, and families seeking recreation away from the beach crowds while offering spectacular views of Christ the Redeemer and the surrounding mountains. The lakeside kiosks serve cold beer and regional dishes while pedal boats, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards allow exploration of the calm waters. The annual floating Christmas tree illuminates the lagoon each December, but year-round the circuit provides one of Rio's most accessible outdoor experiences.
Arpoador
- 1h
The rocky point between Copacabana and Ipanema beaches provides Rio's most beloved sunset ritual, where crowds gather on the rocks each evening to watch the sun descend behind the Dois Irmãos mountains and applaud as it touches the sea. The point's excellent surf break has made it the spiritual home of Rio surfing since the 1960s, while the small beach tucked against the rocks offers calmer swimming than the adjacent open beaches. The combination of sunset spectacle, surfing heritage, and dramatic location makes Arpoador essential Rio, capturing the city's relationship with nature and its capacity for communal joy.
Location
Activity location
- Copacabana Beach
- Av. Atlantica - Copacabana,
- 22070-011, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Meeting/Redemption Point
- Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de Janeiro
- 1702 Avenida Atlântica
- 22021-001, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Best Deals on Things to Do
Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Rio de Janeiro your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.
Top experiences in Rio de Janeiro
With so many things to do in Rio de Janeiro, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours and activities in Rio de Janeiro. Families, couples and business travellers can all find the perfect activity in Rio de Janeiro to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.