Ready-made trips · Brazil
Rio de Janeiro in 5 days
Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf at sunset, an evening at Copacabana, and a day in imperial Petrópolis.
- Length
- 5 days
- Best time
- April to June, September to October
- Pace
- Moderate
- Day trips
- Petrópolis
Five days in Rio de Janeiro: Christ the Redeemer, Parque Lage and the Lagoa; Sugarloaf and Urca, plus a day trip to Petrópolis. Each full day is one of our own checked days, planned to be walked in order, with opening hours checked and lunch and dinner suggestions close to the stops.
Day by day
1First Evening at CopacabanaArrival
- When you arriveForte de CopacabanaThe army fort at the end of Copacabana, with a museum and cafés facing the beach.Tip: Have breakfast at the Confeitaria Colombo café inside, with the whole beach in view.
Lunch nearby: Confeitaria Colombo do Forte or Garota de Ipanema
Dinner: Confeitaria Colombo do Forte or Garota de Ipanema
2PetrópolisDay trip to Petrópolis
- MorningImperial MuseumThe summer palace of Emperor Pedro II, with the imperial crown.Tip: Visitors slide round in felt overshoes to protect the floors.
- AfternoonCrystal Palace, PetrópolisAn iron-and-glass pavilion made in France in 1884.Tip: Free; it sits in a small park 5 minutes from the museum.
Lunch nearby: Casa do Alemão
Dinner: Casa do Alemão
3Christ the Redeemer, Parque Lage and the Lagoa
- MorningChrist the RedeemerIconic hilltop statue.Tip: Take the rack railway from Cosme Velho, not the walking trail — the Foreign Office reports armed robberies on the Corcovado trail. Go on the first train, before the clouds and crowds.
- AfternoonParque LageHistoric mansion & gardens.Tip: A mansion and gardens at the base of Corcovado mountain — a good, relaxed stop combining architecture with genuine rainforest surroundings.
- If you have timeBotanical GardenTropical gardens.Tip: Home to genuinely significant plant collections including towering royal palms — a good, relaxed contrast to Rio's beach and mountain sightseeing.
Lunch nearby: Plage Café or Frontera
Dinner: Plage Café
4Sugarloaf and Urca
- MorningPraia VermelhaBeach at Sugarloaf base.Tip: A smaller, more sheltered Rio beach near Sugarloaf Mountain — a good, less crowded alternative to Copacabana or Ipanema.
- AfternoonSugarloaf MountainCable car to summit.Tip: The cable car leaves from Praia Vermelha in Urca; go up an hour before sunset.
- EveningMureta da UrcaThe low sea wall of Urca, where locals drink beer at sunset facing the bay.Tip: Buy a beer and a pastel at Bar Urca and sit on the wall.
Lunch nearby: Círculo Militar da Praia Vermelha
Dinner: Círculo Militar da Praia Vermelha
5Lapa ArchesLast morning
- Before you leaveLapa ArchesHistoric aqueduct.Tip: A historic aqueduct turned tram viaduct, genuinely central to Rio's nightlife district — livelier and safer to visit with company in the evening.
Lunch nearby: Confeitaria Colombo or Bar Luiz
Dinner: Confeitaria Colombo or Bar Luiz
Where to stay
Ipanema & Leblon
The famous beaches and the city’s best restaurants, bars and shops.
Metro line 1 at General Osório and Antero de Quental; Uber everywhere.
Copacabana
The long beach of hotels and kiosks, a metro ride from everything.
Metro line 1 at Cardeal Arcoverde, Siqueira Campos and Cantagalo.
Botafogo & Urca
A local quarter of bars and restaurants, next to quiet Urca below Sugarloaf.
Metro line 1 at Botafogo; taxis to Urca.
Everything in the plan is ready to book
The full plan has a map of each day, directions between stops, opening hours, restaurant choices, hotels in these areas and tickets, tours and trains linked to book with the provider you choose.
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