The Sugar Loaf is world wide famous. One reaches the 396 meter-high summit in a glass cable car, with a half-way station on Morro da Urca Mountain (220m). The last station is the Sugar Loaf. The 1330 meter-long route takes 6 minutes. From up there you will have an impressive view over Guanabara Bay, the financial center and Niterói.

CORCOVADO - At the summit of Corcovado Mountain, at 710 meters high, the statue of Christ spreads its arms out over Rio. The 30 meter-high, 1145 ton statue was completed in 1931.You can reach it by car or take the Corcovado Train. The tracks are one of the oldest tracks in Brazil, completed by D. Pedro II in 1884. On the way up, one can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the city.

MIRANTE DONA MARTA - Get to know the Dona Marta belvedere. Panoramic views of Guanabara bay.

The truncated cone cathedral measures 106 meters in diameter and is 96 meters high. Inside there is room for twenty thousand people. Four huge stained glass windows give the interior a beautiful and different color scheme. A further noteworthy detail is the statue of Christ floating in the air, attached to the ceiling by steel cables. The Cathedral was designed by Edgar da Fonseca and built from 1964 – 1979.

The Mário Filho Stadium, mostly known as Maracanã, the most famous football stadium in the world. It was built for the 1950 World Cup. In the Sport Museum, valuable articles such as a jersey worn by Pele.

This impressive monastery was built by the Benedictines (1617-1669) and is the main work of Brazil Baroque. Its richly appointed interior is overpowering. The grating and the Jacarandá wood by Frei Domingos da Conceição (1698 – 1706) and the wall paintings (1633-1700) stand out specially. On Sundays there is always a widely known Mass with Gregorian Choral Works by the Benedictine monks. It is recommended to arrive 30 min early for this Mass.

The Candelária is the oldest church in Rio de Janeiro. The cornerstone was laid in 1630, yet the construction lasted until the end of the 19th century. The church was built in Neo-Classic style and is the modeled on St. Peter’s in Rome.

The Municipal Theater was inaugurated in 1909 and is modeled on the Paris Opera. This is where the most important and biggest performances of the country take place. The impressive architecture of the theater is most noteworthy for the marble arcades and the glass windows imported from Europe. A further attraction is the painted stage curtain by the Italian Eliseu Visconti. Significant historical personages such as Rembrandt, Wagner and Carlos Gomes are portrayed on it, Inquire about the program of offerings and enjoy one of its performances.

The N.S da Glória do Outeiro Church was built in 1739. This is where the baptism of D. Pedro II took place. There is a splendid view from Morro da Glória Hill out over the city center and the southerm zone.

This is one of the oldest churches in Rio de Janeiro. It was built at the beginning of the 17th century and restored in 1973. The church is at the heart of the city center.

The Paço Imperial was the residence of the Portuguese royal family from 1808 to 1889. The palace was inaugurated in 1743 and served as the seat of government. In 1985, Paço Imperial was restored and is today an important cultural center.

The Iperial Palace on the Quinta da Boa Vista Square was built in 1600 and served as the residence of the emperor. Today the Nacional Museum and the Zoological Gardens are there. Among the 10.000 articles in permanent exhibition. Oriental porcelain and personal articles of the emperor can be admired.

The “passarela” of the samba (samba runway) was built in 1984 on the Marquês de Sapucaí Ave. and is the stage for the biggest samba parade in the world. The street of the samba, usually known as the Sambadrome, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, is 700 meters long with an overall surface of 85,000m2 and sits about one hundred thousand spectators.

Copacabana, known as the little sea princess, is one of most famous city districts and beaches in the world. Along the beach there are six numbered life guard bases which are helpful in one’s orientation. The beach is wide and beautifully suited for sporting activities. The sea is usually serene with small waves, except during a “Ressaca” (storm), when Copacabana turns into a surfer’s paradise. In the summer and on weekends, the beach is packed with beautiful and tanned people. It is worthwhile to visit the Forte de Copacabana fortress at Posto 6 (life guard base 6), the scene of Brazil’s historical events and the site of military museum.

This strech of beach became world wide famous through the song “Girl from Ipanema” by Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes when referring to the beach, one also has to mention the city district. Ipanema, once a fishing village, is a cultural site nowadays. This is where the Bossa Nova rhythm and beach fashion all were created.

The beach of the city district Leblon is an extension of Ipanema. There are not many visitors, so this beach is well suited for sports. From Mirante do Leblon (panorama point in Leblon) there is an impressive view, especially on days when the sea is stormy.

The main attraction of São Conrado beach is the landing of Hang Gliders and Para gliders right on its white sands.

This is the longest beach in Rio. The while sands stretch for several kilometers. The Barra da Tijuca beach is especially suited to water sports – ideal for windsurfing. Stop at “Pêpe”, the meeting spot for lots of beautiful and young people.

The botanical gardens were established by D. João VI and served the purpose of acclimatizing tropical plants. There is also a section for systematic botany, a small museum for botany, a library, a greenhouse and a research center.

Various parks surround the Lagoon, including the Skating Park, Tom Jobim Park and Catacumba Park. A bicycle path runs alongside the lake. Besides that there are several sports fields, sporting equipment and kiosks with typical dishes and drinks from various regions of Brazil and the world.

Tijuca National Park was founded in 1961 and has an area of 3.200 ha. It is the biggest urban national park in the world. The Corcovado and the Forest are part of it. The Museum  Açude and the Mayrink chapel from the last century are also to be found there. Besides that, there are numerous ecological hiking paths. Among the rich flora of the National Park, are  rare species such as Jacarandá, Jaquitibá, various orchids and Quaresmeiras. The Tijuca forest is also the habitat for numerous birds and medium sized monkeys.