Where To Go For The Most Stunning Views Of Rio De Janeiro

As soon as you arrive in Rio de Janeiro it becomes clear why it has the nickname, Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvellous City); the development of a large city was never able to overcome the large rocky peaks and dominating rainforest that blends and grows with the urban setting. This unique combination creates some of the world’s most stunning and unforgettable views in the world.

Copacabana Fort

Tucked away in the corner at the end of Copacabana’s long stretch of sand is the Copacabana Fort, a military base that is open to the public and offers amenities such as the Confeitaria Colombo, an immensely fancy cafe that serves delicious breakfast, coffee and lunch options. It’s from here that visitors can take in the sheer expanse of Copacabana beach as it curves around towards Leme, fringed with high-rise buildings to the left and an endless rippling ocean to the right. Keep an eye out for turtles swimming down below and enjoy watching the stand-up surf paddlers as they propel themselves out against the tide.

Pedra Bonita

Parque das Ruinas

Located on the top of one of the highest points in Santa Teresa, Parque das Ruinas has privileged views that tumble down the hill and stretch out over Guanabara Bay, emphasizing the Sugarloaf mountain that steals the spotlight in the middle of the expansive view. On the other side of the park is an extraordinary view that overlooks the city center, a complex sight of tall buildings and urban life. The venue itself is a public park with an art gallery that has been built up around the ruins of an old mansion. It is often the host to live, outdoor concerts and cultural events, its bar inside being the perfect spot to pull up a chair, grab a drink and contemplate such stunning views.

Christ the Redeemer

Christ the Redeemer is one of the most iconic monuments in Rio de Janeiro for good reason; the views from its base on Corcovado Hill are some of the best in Rio. The 360 degree panoramic over the city offers a unique opportunity to take in the visuals of the metropolis in one go. From up here, not only can you appreciate the enormity of Rio, you can tick off a list of the city’s most astonishing landmarks; the famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, the distinctive Sugarloaf mountain, the striking Guanabara Bay, the vast Tijuca forest and the endless Atlantic ocean.

Arpoador

During the day Arpoador is the local hotspot for surfers with long, curving waves and transparent waters. The best time to go here though is just before the day ends. Head over to the Arpoador rock, a large rocky formation that juts out into the ocean and overlooks the long curve of Ipanema right the way over to Leblon until it reaches the final point of the Two Brother peaks. As the sun begins to set behind the two mountains, the lights of Vidigal favela one by one switch on until all the houses there are illuminated and the side of the hill flickers from the artificial lighting. Stay there until the sun sets to enjoy the pinky-orange sky and the silence-inducing views over the beaches.

Sugarloaf Mountain

The view from Sugarloaf mountain captures all the beauty of Rio in one sweeping glance and is perhaps one of the city’s most rewarding sights as it factors in the whole experience of taking two cable car up to the top to witness it. At the summit the city unfolds below to showcase Guanabara Bay and its collection of yachts and boats that pepper the water as white specks, the vast oceanic skyline and the mighty Christ the Redeemer overlooking it all. The best time to go is near dusk for the sunset, which is one of the greatest natural performances you can witness in Rio.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.