The 9 Best Cultural Tours to Take in Rio de Janeiro

This tour takes you to Rio de Janeiro’s port area, a popular tourist attraction with museums, art galleries, and street art. Yet before 1888, it was a major hub for the slave trade. Gabriela, the tour guide whose passion and knowledge of the subject is palpable, takes you to the main points of interest, including Pedra do Sal, Morro da Conceição, Largo da Prainha and Valongo’s Suspended Garden, explaining their significance in history and their impact on Afro-Brazilian culture along the way. You can book the tour here.

Dive straight into the Afro-Brazilian culture and find out about the Quilombola community, whose history dates back to Brazil’s slavery era. Explore their fascinating and rich history before trying authentic, home-made feijoada, Brazil’s most traditional dish that is believed to have been first made by the enslaved Africans. The finish the day with live samba to dance and listen to.

Let’s walk through the history of Samba, following the steps of this rhythm symbol of Rio cultural identity, icon of local African heritage and Afro-Brazilian resistance. Visiting the main cultural spots in Cinelandia and the Mauá Square, we talk about how the Portuguese culture developed Carnival as a political party and Samba as an Afro-Brazilian identity. Walk with us through the Portuary Zone to see the biggest open-air street art gallery and learn about cultural resistance at Pedra do Sal, icon of Africanity in Rio. Let yourself vibrate with Carnival magic, doing some steps and taking pictures with the colorful costumes at City of Samba, headquarters of the Samba Schools. The main idea is that you enjoy the stories that made Samba the soul of our lovely city. We want you to feel safe, confident and relaxed while we are going through the downtown area of the marvelous city.

This magnificent garden contains more than 3,500 species of plants and is the former home of Roberto Burle Marx, Brazil’s most-celebrated landscaper. Burle Marx bought the former banana plantation in 1949 and transformed it into a tropical garden by importing plants from all corners of Brazil and across the world. He also renovated the onsite old farmhouse where he lived until his death in 1994, which now serves as a museum of his paintings, drawings, and collections. Tours have to be booked in advance.

Oscar Niemeyer was considered Brazil’s greatest architect and Rio de Janeiro has one of the largest numbers of buildings designed by him, second only to Brasilia. Jump on a tour to see some of Niemeyer’s most iconic work, including the Copacabana promenade, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum (MAC).

Get to know Rio de Janeiro’s true culture by living the day as a local. Avoiding all the tourist spots, start at Ipanema’s oldest bakery for a classic Brazilian coffee and pão de queijo (cheese bread) before heading to Rio’s dynamic downtown and local markets. Wrap up the day at a local boteco (a Brazilian bar) for a casual chat with the locals and experience the everyday life in Rio de Janeiro from a local viewpoint.

This tour takes you to the Leme Fort, an old yet well-preserved fort that once served to protect Rio de Janeiro from naval attacks. Nowadays, it’s best known for its panoramic views over Leme and Copacabana, and the area is surrounded by thick vegetation that is home to small, wild marmosets. Pass by Mirante Dona Marte, one of the most iconic viewpoints in Rio, before stopping at a local restaurant for classic Brazilian food.

If you love food and checking out local eateries, then Santa Teresa is for you. Take a wander around the iconic barrio, a neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro known for its artistic presence and bohemian ambiance, before taking a walk through a tasting menu of Brazilian dishes and drinks, including many delicious desserts and snacks. Grab a tour to explore the fascinating history of the area. Make sure you visit Parque das Ruinas, a stunning viewpoint with panoramic views.

The Jewish history in Brazil dates back to the time of the voyages of Columbus. Gaspar da Gama, a Jew by birth, accompanied Portuguese admiral Pedro Alvares Cabral when he landed in what is now Brazil in 1500, beginning a more-than-500-year presence in the New World. Enjoy a group tour to see the Jewish influence in Rio de Janeiro and learn about the Jewish presence in the city, besides visiting the main Jewish landmarks. Your tour includes hotel or pier pickup and drop-off.