25 Free Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is rich in culture and riddled with iconic monuments. Whilst some places are priced based on the conception of wealthy tourists, there are plenty of cool things to do around and about that are completely free and allow you to dive straight into the diversity and fun of this incredible city.

Visit The Free Museums

Ponder over our planet’s future and the possibilities ahead at the Museum of Tomorrow, free to enter on Tuesdays.

Get immersed in Portuguese literature at the breathtaking Royal Portuguese Reading Room.

Consider the various art exhibitions and theater performances at the Cultural Center of Banco do Brazil.

Browse through Brazil’s most important literary collections at the National Library of Brazil, the largest library in Latin America.

Compare past social interactions with modern day social communications at the Cultural Center Oi Futuro in Flamengo.

The inside of the Royal Portuguese Reading Room

Enjoy The Great Outdoors

Get a bird’s-eye view of the city by setting off on any of these hikes.

Top up your tan on one of Rio’s most beautiful beaches

Experience the largest urban rainforest in the world at Tijuca Forest.

Bathe under a calming waterfall in a secret spot surrounded by the nature and peace of Tijuca forest.

Stroll around Lagoa, Rio’s most beautiful lake in the south of the city and keep an eye out for a capybara or two.

Reenergize at Parque Lage, a stunning mansion surrounded by tranquil forests, monkeys chattering and birds singing.

Marvel as the sky turns shades of pink and orange from a sunset at Arpoador Rock.

Listen To Music

Pedra do Sal represents samba in Rio de Janeiro, so head to the city center and listen to the samba classics outdoors with a mass of other samba lovers.

Get swept up in samba dancing and forro swinging at Arco de Teles, where live bands play out on the streets to those looking to let their hair down. Let loose and dance to samba at Mais que Nada in Copacabana, where on Wednesdays they have a live samba band with free entry.

Get Active

Get your sweat on at circuit training on the beach, either first thing in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the baking hot sun.

Admire the rising sun whilst jogging through Flamengo Park.

Stretch and relax on the beach with a free yoga class at Ipanema’s Blyss Yoga school.

Grab a football and start a game with a group of budding Brazilian footballers next to the shore — there will always be people keen to play.

Visit Some Cool Graffiti and Street Art

Walk along the world’s largest street mural by Eduardo Kobra in the city center.

Take yourself on your own personal guided tour and visit any of these awesome places for the city’s best street art.

Tick The Checklist for Some of Rio’s Most Iconic Places

Reenact Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams from their single ‘Beautiful’ at the famous Lapa steps, Escadaria Selaron.

Enjoy the quiet of the day or the street parties of the night under the Acros de Lapa, the big white arches in Rio’s nightlife district.

Stroll along the antiques and vintage items that take you back to Rio’s past at Feira Rio Antigo.

About the author

Sarah Brown

Sarah is a British freelance journalist and writer based in Rio de Janeiro. Her favourite travel experiences so far include swimming with whale sharks in Mexico, trekking through Rio's urban forest and enjoying the city life in Madrid. Find her on Instagram @sbgrio