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Rio de Janeiro Viewing points

Our most recommended Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Viewing points

Pedra do Telégrafo Hike and Beach Full-Day Tour

1. Pedra do Telégrafo Hike and Beach Full-Day Tour

Located in the Pedra Branca State Park, Pedra do Telégrafo (elevation of 350 meters) is at the top of Guaratiba Hill. Take a walk along the beach to the starting point of the trail. The ascent begins at Guaratiba Beach and it takes about an hour to reach the summit. There are several viewpoints along the way, with the best known being a large, sharp rock called Pedra da Bigorna. From the summit, marvel at the views of the Restinga da Marambaia sandbank, the wild beaches of Rio, Pedra do Pontal, and Grumari Beach. After the walk, relax on the beaches of Grumari or Prainha.

Rio: Half-Day Jeep Tour at Floresta da Tijuca

2. Rio: Half-Day Jeep Tour at Floresta da Tijuca

Explore Tijuca National Forest in meticulously restored ex-military open-air off-road vehicles. After hotel pick-up, cut to the Lagoa with the striking view of the Christ statue and head to the rainforest. Stop at the famous Vista Chinesa to discover the history of this unique monument as you'll soak in the views of the Christ Statue in the distance. Move on to the Cascatinha Visconde de Taunay waterfall, and take a quick dip in the crystal clear refreshing water. Continue to a charming chapel constructed in 1855, and start the first of 2 trails. See coatis, toucans, and monkeys! Take a restroom stop and start the second trail of the tour, passing through the Atlantic forest with the sounds of waterfalls following your footsteps. Hop back into your top-down Jeep and head to the famous São Conrado Beach to watch the hand-gliders, before your scenic drive back to your hotel.

Rio de Janeiro: Pedra do Telegrafo Hiking Tour

3. Rio de Janeiro: Pedra do Telegrafo Hiking Tour

Admire the breath taking views from the peak of Pedra do Telegrafo. This mountain stands 354 meters high and is located in the Selvagens Beaches sector of Pedra Branca State Park, in Morro de Guaratiba, near Rio de Janeiro. Discover the Praia Grande in Barra de Guaratiba, known locally as the Fisherman's Path, it was once a military station during World War ll. As you explore the trails of Pedra do Telégrafo you will travel 3.5 kilometers through moderate hiking terrain, and your expert guide will ensure you pass several viewpoints for the breath-taking of the panoramas. Once you reach the peak, you will be able to stand upon a stone that photographs well, giving the impression of a large drop into the abyss of tree tops. Hikers past have taken imaginative and super cool photos that went viral on the internet. Be assured that your guide to the Telegraph Stone is trained in photography and knows the best angles for the best photos. 

Rio de Janeiro: Private Sunrise Tour at Mirante Dona Marta

4. Rio de Janeiro: Private Sunrise Tour at Mirante Dona Marta

Located 360 meters above the sea, Mirante Dona Marta is the perfect spot to see the sunrise. Enjoy the sunrise from an incredible viewpoint which gives you views of Sugarloaf Mountain and the famous Christ the Redeemer statue. Depart from your hotel at around 5:00 AM, so you can get there in time to see the first lights of dawn. The tour takes around 2.5 hours so you should be back at your hotel at around 7:30 AM, in time to do other activities or tours. Suggestion: Book this tour in the beginning of your trip, this way, in case of bad weather we can try to postpone the tour to another day.

Rio de Janeiro: Yup Star Observation Wheel Ticket

5. Rio de Janeiro: Yup Star Observation Wheel Ticket

Feel the thrill of riding on the largest observation wheel in Latin America with this ticket for Yup Star in Rio de Janeiro. Stay comfortable as you take in the views in one of the 54 climate-controlled cabins.  Hop aboard the Yup Star observation wheel in Porto Maravilha. Capture pictures of the stunning skyline of Rio de Janeiro to share with your friends and family. View sights from above without having to do any climbing. See attractions like the City of Samba complex, the Central do Brasil Clock, and the Museum of Tomorrow. 

Private Tijuca Forest & Botanical Garden Guided Tour

6. Private Tijuca Forest & Botanical Garden Guided Tour

Discover the natural wonders of Rio de Janeiro on a guided tour that visits Tijuca Forest, Rio’s botanical garden, Cascatinha Taunay, and the Chinese Viewpoint, including round-trip transportation from your hotel. Walk along a trail and immerse yourself in all the nature of Rio. After pickup, your trip starts at the Chinese Viewpoint. At an altitude of 388 meters, admire panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro, filled with mountains, forests, and the sea. In the distance, you can also see Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain. Later, go on an adventure through the Tijuca National Forest, one of the largest urban forests in the world. Be enchanted by the Cascatinha Taunay (waterfall) as you walk along a simple trail and learn more about the Atlantic Forest, its flora, and its fauna. Admire breathtaking panoramic views en route back to your hotel. Your tour ends at the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, with a visit to the sensory garden. Finish off your trip by learning more about local and international flora at the gardens. Spot the redwood tree, from which the country received its name, and stroll among the bicentennial imperial palm trees as you walk to the orchidarium and the bromeliad greenhouse.

Rio: Pedra Bonita Hike

7. Rio: Pedra Bonita Hike

Pedra Bonita (Beautiful Stone) is located in the Tijuca's National Park, in São Conrado (696 m / 2284 ft). It is one of the best options for those looking for a good relationship between time and attractiveness. Most of the climb is by car or van and includes a visit to the paragliding ramp. The trail is wide open and takes around 45 minutes, considered easy, to reach an amazing ridge. As Pedra Bonita is very close to Pedra da Gávea, the view is fantastic and covers most of the city's sights. Enjoy one of the 5 best views of Rio. * Hiking duration: 1:30 hours (approx. 45 min. way up / 45 min. way down). * Vista Chinesa (Chinese Belvedere) - visitation only in weekdays, except local holidays.

Rio: Museum of Tomorrow, Yup Star & Olympic Boulevard

8. Rio: Museum of Tomorrow, Yup Star & Olympic Boulevard

Be enchanted by the colors of the Rio sky as you ride 2 of the main attractions of Olympic Boulevard: the Museum of Tomorrow and the Yup Star Ferris wheel. Discover the port area of Rio and admire Rio de Janeiro 88 meters high. Start your tour by going to Boulevard Olímpico or Porto Maravilha, the city's port area that has been completely revitalized and where the newest tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro are located. Visit the Museum of Tomorrow, a modern and technological applied science museum dedicated to exploring and questioning all the possibilities for building the future of the planet and humanity. Observe and take photos in front of the unusual and futuristic architecture from one of the most visited museums in Brazil. Inside the Museum of Tomorrow, you'll learn about opportunities and challenges that humanity will have to face in the coming decades. Then, take a short break for photos at the Kobra Mural, one of the largest graffiti murals in the world, created by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra. Observe five ethnic groups depicted realistically on a colorful background with geometric shapes. End the tour by visiting Yup Star, the Ferris wheel with the best panoramic view in Rio de Janeiro. Get a 360-degree view of Rio de Janeiro's most famous sights, including Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain.

Frequently asked questions about Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

What top attractions are a must-see in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil?

The must-see attractions in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil are:

What are the best day trips and excursions from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil?

The best day trips and excursions from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil are:

Petrópolis

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Other Sightseeing Options in Rio de Janeiro

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What people are saying about Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 2,114 reviews

Very informative, comfortable private ride, pleasent walk on trails in the forest and the botanical garden - a great experience all together. The guide, Antonio, contacted us the day prior to the tour via What'sUp and picked us up at our accomodation ( just off the Prestana Rio Atlantica hotel). He had a driver with him, so we were dropped to each designation while the driver dealt with parking the car. We were very happy that we chose the private tour vs the open jeep tours.

Our Tour Guide Mr. Guilherme was wonderful. He gave us a lot information about Rio and about the views we could see from top. He picked us on-time and the sunset viewing experience was memorable.

Great trip with a knowledgeable guide, great to see the rainforest with all its plants and birds etc. Fun riding in the open top jeep.

Eduardo was amazing. He showed us so many spots that werent in the itinerar! Beautiful experience

well organised tour and very well versed and friendly guide...highly recommended