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A One-Week Rio de Janeiro Itinerary

Aerial view of Rio with Corcovado Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain and Guanabara Bay
Aerial view of Rio with Corcovado Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain and Guanabara Bay | Diego Grandi / Shutterstock

If you have one week in Rio de Janeiro, you’re in for a treat. This gives plenty of time to see all the famous landmarks and scratch the surface to go a little deeper into discovering the city’s complex culture. Here is an itinerary for a seven-day trip to Rio de Janeiro.

Day One

Begin your holiday with a trip to the city’s most famous landmark, the Christ the Redeemer. Take the train to the top of Corcovado, which slowly winds through the Tijuca Forest. Later, spend the afternoon at the Botanical Gardens near the base of Corcovado before heading to Parque Lage for lunch in a gorgeous reformed mansion. Later, head to Vista Chinesa to watch the sunset before heading to one of the many bars and restaurants on Jardim Botanico’s Rua Pacheco de Leão for dinner and drinks.

Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Day Two

Have a cultural day by visiting the city centre (Centro) and checking out places such as the Municipal Theatre for shows and wonderful architecture, and the cultural centre Centro Cultural do Banco do Brazil for temporary art exhibitions. Visit the port area for the Museum of Tomorrow and to see Eduardo Kobra’s street mural, the largest in the world. Have lunch at Confeitaria Colombo, one of Rio’s most beautiful cafés and restaurants. In the evening, take the cable car to Pão de Açucar, the Sugarloaf mountain, for panoramic views and an incredible sunset. Finish the day at Bar Urca, one of the most traditional drinking spots in Rio.

A theatre full of empty chairs

Day Three

A trip to Rio is not complete without a day at the beach. Take a walk down Copacabana to see the famous black and white promenade before heading over to Ipanema, one of Rio’s most popular and beautiful beaches. Sunbathe or try stand-up paddle boarding, a popular water sport in Rio. Later in the evening, go to Arpoador at the end of Ipanema to see another wonderful sunset before heading to Canastra, Rio’s most popular and casual wine bar that serves only Brazilian wine. End the night in Lapa, the city’s party district.

Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro

Day Four

Start the day with a trip to the Dois Irmãos peaks, which offer breathtaking views over Rio. Standing at the top of the Vidigal neighborhood, this also gives you a chance to get to know the city’s safest favela. Spend an afternoon there having a delicious Brazilian lunch at Bar do Laje with a smooth caipirinha or two. Later, go to Pedra Bonita and do hang-gliding from the platform there and take in the best views of Rio. Have a traditional Brazilian churrasco (barbeque) later at the famous Fogo de Chão, where the meat is served on an all-you-can-eat basis.

Drinks at a bar

Day Five

Take a walking tour of Santa Marta, a favela in Rio de Janeiro that is considered safe. You will see the Michael Jackson statue in honour of the time the famous star filmed his They Don’t Care About Us music video here. Later, spend a chilled afternoon wandering around Lagoa, the south zone’s stunning natural lake. Later, head to Palaphita Gavea for drinks, Brazilian music, and dancing.

Aerial over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Day Six

For an alternative view of the city, go to Santa Teresa, Rio’s bohemian neighbourhood. Wander around, drifting in and out of little boutiques and art studios. Visit Tucum, a shop that sells jewellery made by Brazilian indigenous people; some of the profits go back to the indigenous communities. Go to Cafe Alto for a northeastern Brazil-inspired brunch and later head to the Explorer Bar for cocktails. Mercado das Pulgas has live samba on the weekends at night and offers a truly Brazilian experience.

Day Seven

Visit a less touristy beach on your final day by heading towards Praia de Grumari in the west zone of the city. There is a hike from there to a series of untouched beaches, only accessible by hiking, including Praia Funda and Praia do Meio. The surroundings are tranquil and completely natural, without any sign of city development. In the evening, go to Pedra do Sal for the most traditional outdoor samba parties in Rio.

Close up of women with drinks at a party

Looking for ideas in Rio de Janeiro?

Historical Landmark

Surfer in Arpoador Beach during sunset, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
vitormarigo / Shutterstock

From its famous structures to its gorgeous beaches, Rio de Janeiro is a city full of life. Explore the verdant paths of Tijuca National Park, dance to samba rhythms in Lapa, or take in the breath-taking views from Christ the Redeemer. There is a tour for everyone, whether your interests are leisure, culture, or adventure. To get the most out of your time in Rio, check out these incredible excursions.

Want to see more than just Rio de Janeiro? Check out these tours of Brazil

Natural Feature

Capoeira in the streets of Pelourinho, Salvador, Brazil
nigelsb / unsplash

From the Amazon jungle to the ancient alleyways of Salvador and the breathtaking beaches of Florianópolis, Brazil is a country of extraordinary diversity. Discover São Paulo’s dynamic culture, be in awe at Iguaçu Falls’ might, or relax in Bahia’s serenity. Brazil has everything, whether you’re interested in history, adventure, or leisure. For the full Brazilian experience, check out our excursions!

About the author

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

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