What to do in Rio at a glance
The list is a selection, not a ranking. Entries 1 to 5 are green places around the Corcovado and the Tijuca forest. Entries 6 and 7 are in Santa Teresa. Entries 8 to 11 are beaches, entries 12 to 14 are city sights, and entry 15 is a short note on the Sugarloaf.
Two points affect many plans. The Parque Lage palace is closed for restoration, so the list only counts its gardens. And Rio has a high level of crime that also affects tourist districts, which the German Foreign Office states in its 2026 travel advice. Carry little, stay on busy streets and take a taxi at night. The statue itself is covered by the other guides on this site, starting with tickets.
Forest and viewpoints (1 to 5)
Green places in and around the Tijuca National Park.
1. Walk the gardens of Parque Lage
The park is open from 08:00 to 18:00 and lies at the foot of the Corcovado. Visit the gardens only: the palace is closed for restoration, and the café and the pool courtyard may not be open. It is also the start of the trail to the statue.
Parque Lage guide →2. Explore Setor Floresta
This is the forest and hiking area of Tijuca National Park. It has its own access times: vehicles from 08:00 to 17:00, people on foot or by bike from 06:00, and everyone out by 18:00.
Tijuca Forest guide →3. Climb Pico da Tijuca
At 1,022 m it is the highest point in the park. The summit page lists 08:00–17:00, and the trail should be started no later than 14:00. It is a hike, so bring water and check the weather.
4. Stop at Vista Chinesa
A viewpoint with a pavilion built between 1902 and 1906, in the forest area near the Horto. The park lists it as open daily from 08:00 to 17:00.
5. Visit Cascatinha Taunay
A waterfall in the forest. Do not swim directly under it. The park allows bathing only in the separate pool Poço Job de Alcântara, below the stone arch bridge.
Our picks: things to do in Rio
A city highlights tour, a Santa Teresa tram walk and a rainforest hike.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tijuca rainforest hike to waterfalls and caves
A certified guide, park access, air-conditioned transfer and guide photos are included. Food, drinks and tips are extra, and wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
Check availability →Six-stop Rio highlights tour
Hotel transfer, a multilingual guide and entries to the statue, the cathedral and Sugarloaf. Drinks, dessert and the inside of Maracanã and the Sambadrome are not included.
Check availability →
Santa Teresa tram, Selarón Steps and Lapa walk
A guided walk, the tram ride, South Zone hotel transfer, taxes and fees are included. Food, drinks and tips are extra.
Check availability →Rio de Janeiro tours and day trips
City tours, Corcovado combinations, beaches and hikes, with live prices and availability.
Santa Teresa (6 and 7)
A hill district with a tram and a staircase.
6. Ride the Bonde to Santa Teresa
The tram is run by the state. The fare is BRL 20 in 2026, with no half tickets, payable in cash or by card but not by Pix. It runs Monday to Friday 08:00–18:30 and on weekends and holidays 09:00–17:00. There is no advance sale, so you buy on the spot.
Santa Teresa guide →7. See the Selaron Steps
The tiled staircase by the Chilean artist Jorge Selarón connects Lapa and Santa Teresa. The tiles come from Brazil and from other countries. It is a short stop and fits with the tram ride.
Beaches (8 to 11)
Four beach areas along the south coast.
8. Walk Copacabana
The beach is almost 4 km long and the promenade has the famous wave pattern. Kiosks and restaurants line the shore. The German Foreign Office warns about theft and robbery by day here and urges more care after dark.
Beaches guide →9. Spend an afternoon in Ipanema
The beach is tied to the song Garota de Ipanema and has many cafés and restaurants around it. Water conditions change, so ask the lifeguards and obey the flags and signs.
10. Watch the sunset from Arpoador
Arpoador is a rock and surf area and a place for sunsets, so plan it for the end of the day.
11. Try Leme
Leme is the beach that continues directly from Copacabana, so it fits into a Copacabana walk. The same safety advice applies.
On all beaches: red flags and Não Entre signs mean stay out of the water. Avoid swimming in the first hours after rain and near storm drains, as the state environment agency advises.
City sights (12 to 15)
Gardens, culture, a lake and a mountain with a cable car.
12. Visit the Botanical Garden
The Jardim Botânico was founded in 1808 and has plant collections and greenhouses. It has no general visitor parking, so plan your arrival without a car. Check current hours and prices before you go.
13. See an exhibition at the CCBB
The Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil at Rua Primeiro de Março 66 in the center shows exhibitions, music, theater and film. Look at the current program on the day.
14. Walk or cycle around Lagoa
The lagoon Rodrigo de Freitas has paths along the shore for walking and cycling.
15. Take the Sugarloaf cable car
The cable car runs from Praia Vermelha over Morro da Urca. It is a separate trip from the Corcovado. Check the operator for hours and tickets.
How to combine them
Simple pairings by area.
Pair Parque Lage with the Botanical Garden and Lagoa, since they lie close together in the south. Pair Santa Teresa with the center, the CCBB and Lapa. Give the beaches their own afternoon. Start forest walks in the morning and leave the Pico da Tijuca for a clear day.
Things to do in Rio: frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Rio besides the Christ statue?
Forest walks, the Santa Teresa tram, the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, the Botanical Garden, the lagoon and the cable car to the Sugarloaf. The 15 ideas above are a selection, not a ranking.
What can I do for free?
General entry to Tijuca National Park and the gardens of Parque Lage is free according to the park rules. The statue, the tram and many museums charge.
Can I visit the Parque Lage palace?
No. The palace is closed for restoration, and the planned end of the works is early 2027. Visit the gardens instead.
Is it safe to walk around Rio?
Crime affects tourist districts too. Carry little, keep valuables out of sight, do not resist a robbery and prefer taxis after dark. Read the safety guide.
How many days do I need?
Plan the statue, the forest and the beaches as separate outings, since each depends on weather and opening times.