The 8 Best Things To Do In Barra Da Tijuca, Rio De Janeiro

Pedra da Gávea sits just on the outside of Barra, and with an elevation of 844 meters, it is one of the world’s highest mountains that ends directly in the ocean. There are many credible tour companies that offer pickups in Barra and a full-day excursion to the top. With sensational views of the Tijuca Forest and Rio’s most famous landmarks, this is not to be missed. Be prepared, though; this isn’t an easy hike.

As one of the venues for the Paralympic 2016 Olympics, the arena also hosts a variety of sports and music shows throughout the year. It was the venue for the Pan American Games in 2007, a regular spot for the UFC, and has supported top music acts such as Queen, Miley Cyrus, and Iron Maiden. Events are regularly published on the website.

There is no going to Barra without heading to the beach. Wider, longer and whiter than its more famous counterparts in the south zone, these beaches are the perfect way to spend a lazy day sunbathing before taking a dip in the cooler waters. Barra’s beaches tend to be much less crowded than Copacabana, allowing beachgoers to relax in peace while cooling down with a cold drink in any of the kiosks dotted alongside the sandy shores.

Barra has plenty of opportunities for shopping, both high end and lower end. Village Mall is a luxury mall with shops such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Hugo Boss. New York City Center Mall is unmistakable with its giant Statue of Liberty outside and has more affordable shops and restaurants, along with Barra Shopping and Open Mall.

This little island in the middle of a lake in Barra is unknown to most tourists and locals alike, hidden behind Barra’s large apartment blocks and shopping malls. Small and compact, this secluded island with its subdued atmosphere has no roads nor cars and can only be reached by boat or stand up paddle. With palms and lush vegetation, visitors can visit one of the few restaurants or bars there, the most popular being Laguna, a seafood restaurant, and Bar do Galego, a simple bar favored by locals.

Cidade das Artes (City of Arts) is the largest concert hall in South America and was opened in 2013 by its first major act: Rock in Rio. It is a main center of music and the current home to the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra. The building itself is impressively inspiring, yet none more so than being lifted by the beautiful melodies of one of the orchestra’s acts. Events are updated on the website.

With its long beaches, consistently good weather and regular windy days, Barra is the hot spot in Rio for kitesurfing. At the beginning of Barra, next to the shoreline, there are a few schools dotted on the beach where you can hire equipment for the advanced kitesurfers or try a few lessons for beginners. It is a tricky sport and requires good physical strength, but kitesurfers swear by its addictive nature. For the less active, pull up a towel, grab a chilled coconut, and watch the experts whip up and down Barra’s coast.

With reclining sofas, a bar inside the cinema room, and personal sofa service, this place takes watching movies to another level. De Lux Cinema makes queuing up for popcorn a thing of the past as attentive waiters bring it to you. Even the popcorn is in a whole new world with flavors such as popcorn with rosemary oil. It’s the perfect way to watch a movie while enjoying being pampered.