WINTER SALE: Save up to $862 on our trips! Book now and secure your adventure!

The Most Beautiful Beaches in Buzios

Praia da Tartaruga
Praia da Tartaruga | © Gledson Agra de Carvalho / WikiCommons

Just an hour or so from Rio de Janeiro city lies Buzios, the star of Rio’s coastline. Famous for its combination of sublime restaurants, picturesque beaches, and thriving nightlife, Buzios is the hangout of the wealthy residents of Rio and the go-to spot for tourists looking for an island-life feel mixed with an animated vibe. With over 20 gorgeous beaches, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Here are the best beaches in Buzios.

Geriba

Being within easy access to a thriving commercial spot in Buzios, Geriba is generally the most visited and animated beach. Despite its popularity, it still comes with plenty of space to kick back and relax without feeling claustrophobic, thanks to the sheer width and length of the beach. It attracts a wide range of people from young crowds looking for fun to sports enthusiasts and local Brazilian celebrities. The central shoreline is a great spot for surfing, but either end of the beach is calm enough for swimming. There are also restaurants and bars nearby for when you’re feeling peckish or thirsty.

Geriba

Praia de Tucuns

Praia de Tucuns is in the south of the peninsula of Buzios. With its long stretch of pinky-golden sand framed by a row of vibrant green vegetation, it’s a scenic spot to spend a lazy afternoon. While beach-goers may find it a bit too windy to simply sit down and enjoy the sun, windsurfers and kiteboarders are in their element here. It is one of the best spots in the region to practise these sports, and on the weekends, the beach fills up with eager sports lovers looking to catch the perfect wave and right wind conditions.

Praia do Canto

Located just west of Buzios is Praia do Canto, literally translating to the beach of the corner. It’s a small beach yet barely attracts more than a handful of people, thanks to larger nearby beaches taking the limelight and attracting the majority. Head to Praia do Canto for a calm, isolated beach that offers some peace and tranquillity for when the holiday crowds get to be too much.

Praia do Canto

Brava Beach

With its wild-looking scenery of white sands, deep blue water, and surrounding trees and hills, Brava Beach is one of Buzio’s most picturesque beaches. The first half of the beach has several kiosks and restaurants, making it a perfect spot to eat and drink while looking out at scenic sea views. The other half, concealed by rocks, is a much quieter and peaceful section of the beach. From there, you can also take a short forest trail to the Olho de Boi Beach, which is a nudist spot. If you’re feeling hungry, head to nearby Rocka Lounge Restaurant for some of Buzios’s finest seafood and bubbly champagne.

Praia da Tartaruga

The golden sand, hilly backdrop, and crystal-clear waters create a paradisiacal setting for a beach day. The sea in the state of Rio de Janeiro tends to be cold, yet Praia da Tartaruga misses the cold currents, creating a relatively warm sea. The water is rich in marine life, making it an ideal spot to snorkel, and you may even catch a glimpse of a turtle. The beach is calm and relaxing, yet it has plenty of beachfront kiosks with Brazilian music and a range of drinks and snacks. Don’t leave before dark – the sunset from this beach is unforgettable.

Praia da Tartaruga

João Fernandes Beach

Its calm waters and stunning shoreline make João Fernandes Beach one of the main stops on the local tourist boat trips that explore the region. It’s a great spot for snorkelling, especially near the cliff areas, or kayaking in the gentle sea. There is also a dive school at João Fernandes Beach where you can earn your international diving certificate. The surrounding hills have easy trails up to the top and create an excellent viewpoint for a beautiful sea vista. There are plenty of nearby restaurants and kiosks that serve up fresh seafood and refreshing drinks.

Azeda Beach

One of the region’s most charming and natural beaches, Azeda Beach is actually two beaches: Azeda and Azedinha, the latter being the smallest of the two. The easiest way to reach Azeda Beach is to walk to the right side of Ossos Beach to arrive at the hill that goes down onto Azeda. The views from the hill are sensational. Surrounded by rocky hills and thriving flora, the beach lies in an environmentally protected area that has prevented the development of bars and restaurants there. Thanks to its natural beauty, it is a popular beach in Buzios and can get crowded during the holidays and in the summer.

Azeda Beach

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

If you click on a link in this story, we may earn affiliate revenue. All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip.
close-ad