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Rio de Janeiro Walking tours

Our most recommended Rio de Janeiro Walking tours

Rio De Janeiro: Half-Day Rocinha Favela Walking Tour

1. Rio De Janeiro: Half-Day Rocinha Favela Walking Tour

Explore Rio’s largest favela on a half-day walking tour of Rocinha, the largest favela (shantytown) in South America. Organized by local, English speaking guides and favela hosts, the walking tour is respectful and non-intrusive to the residents. Subject of the movie "City of God," Rio’s favelas have fallen victim to unfortunate stereotypes. In order to correct this, and show you the true Rio de Janeiro, the favela tour will let you see and experience how daily life happens away from the sensationalist headlines. While other favela “zoo-tours” drive around in jeeps, you will get to walk the streets in small groups and meet the locals to hear their stories. Learn the history of the favela and its social and economic challenges. The tour cost also includes a monetary contribution to the favela community.

Rio de Janeiro: Favela Santa Marta Tour with a Local Guide

2. Rio de Janeiro: Favela Santa Marta Tour with a Local Guide

Take an opportunity to catch a glimpse of life in the favelas on this guided tour. Your guide is a local from Santa Marta, who will be able to share you with you an authentic perspective of the beautiful favela they call home. Using the Santa Marta cable car, your guide will take you to the top of the favela. From here you will get to witness one of the best panoramic views of the city. Spot Christ the Redeemer, the Sugar Loaf, Praia de Botafogo, Lagoa Rodrigues de Freitas and the entire district of Botafogo. Then explore the streets and alleys held dear by both residents and the many famous visitors to Favela Santa Marta alike, from Queen Elizabeth II to Michael Jackson. Stroll through the favela, seeing the best sights and stopping at many of the local artisan shops along the way.

Rio de Janeiro: Pub Crawl in Lapa

3. Rio de Janeiro: Pub Crawl in Lapa

Discover Lapa's nightlife on a pub crawl through this vibrant, bohemian neighborhood. Lapa is known for being one of the most carioca parts of Rio de Janeiro and is full of traditional bars, samba circles, nightclubs with live music, and dance halls. Visit 3 or 4 clubs and enjoy discounts on drinks. Meet your guides and discover Lapa at night. Experience samba, funk, DJs, and renowned names in Brazilian music. One of the most incredible features of Lapa is that people from all walks of life meet there and are welcomed with open arms. Discover some of Rio's hottest clubs and enjoy shots and discounted drinks as you check out the local scene with your international group of fellow pub crawlers. Learn where to buy cheap caipirinhas and how to walk the busy streets of Lapa. Your guides will accompany you for 4 hours, but after that, you are free to stay and enjoy the rest of the night.

Rio de Janeiro: Downtown Walking Tour

4. Rio de Janeiro: Downtown Walking Tour

Depart from the meeting point we go to Downtown Rio de Janeiro. The historic center of Rio de Janeiro is surrounded by centuries-old roads and buildings that show important periods in Brazilian history, from the time of the monarchy up to Brazil becoming a republic. Delve into 500 years of Brazilian history with a visit to the XV de Novembro Square. Admire the architecture of ALERJ building, Paço Imperial, and do Carmo Convent. Walk past the dos Teles Arch and see its winding alleyways. Follow your tour guide to Candelária Church and learn about its importance to the city. Then, discover hidden treasures in the architecture of the Brazil Bank Cultural Center, or as locals call "CCBB". Admire the contrast between old and modern by walking down the street to Cinelandia Square. Explore political and cultural buildings in the area, such as Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro, National Library of Brazil, National Museum of Fine Arts, and City Council of Rio de Janeiro. Revel at the architecture of Colombo's Bakery, one of the main landmarks of the city's, and have a snack. Finish your tour at a subway station in Downtown Rio, and choose to return to your hotel or continue exploring the region on your own.

Rio: Olympic Boulevard, Museum of Tomorrow & History Tour

5. Rio: Olympic Boulevard, Museum of Tomorrow & History Tour

Begin your tour by being picked up from your hotel and discover the many hidden gems in Rio’s Downtown area with a tour guide. Start at the Valongo Wharf (the latest Unesco World Heritage site in the city) and learn more about the African influence in Brazil. Then head to the Kobra Mural — one of the largest graffiti walls in the world — created by the Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra, to admire the five ethnic groups portrayed in a colorful geometric background. After a few pictures, you will walk along the Olympic Boulevard towards the Museum of Tomorrow. This is a modern and technological science museum dedicated to exploring and questioning all the possibilities for constructing the future of the planet and mankind. Discover its remarkable architecture, and pay a visit to the most visited museum in Brazil. After exploring the future, travel to the past in the Monastery of Saint Benedict, where you will experience the contrast of the simple façade, with the interior covered with golden ornaments, a heritage from the Baroque period. Before heading towards the historical streets of Rio, you will see the Rio 2016 Olympic Cauldron created by the American artist Anthony Howe. You will notice the reflective-kinetic-sphered-structure is a reminder of the Games. At the Praça XV, you will see one of the former headquarters of the Brazilian empire and learn more about important facts of Brazilian history that happened in the area. Your last stop will be at Confeitaria Colombo (closed on Sundays), one of the “must-see cafés” from around the world. Enjoy the opulent art nouveau decorated with huge stained glass, tiles, and mirrors imported from France, Portugal, and Belgium. You can finish your tour tasting one of the Brazilian traditional snacks such as the coxinha de frango (‘little chicken thigh’), or desserts such as the brigadeiro (‘brigadier’) in one of Rio de Janeiro’s most prestigious places at the beginning of the 20th century.

Rio: Carnival Backstage Tour at Samba City with Cocktail

6. Rio: Carnival Backstage Tour at Samba City with Cocktail

Discover what goes on backstage at Rio's Carnival with this guided walking tour. Watch as preparations are made for the world's most famous parade with this attraction ticket. Wear some authentic costumes and take a Samba workshop before savoring a cocktail.  Be greeted by your guide at Samba City and begin your behind-the-scenes tour. See the carnival factory and find out how the floats and costumes are produced for the parade. Uncover the history of Samba and hear the story of Rio's carnival.  Try on some authentic carnival costumes and get some stunning glam shots. Participate in a Samba workshop with a professional dancer from a Samba school. Finish your tour by sipping on a delicious caipirinha, Brazil's national cocktail.

Rio de Janeiro: Sugar Loaf Hike

7. Rio de Janeiro: Sugar Loaf Hike

Join this hiking trip to discover the two hills of the Sugar Loaf compound, one of Rio's most famous icons. Venture along the Costão Trail, reach the top of Urca Hill, and take in unbeatable views on a cable car ride. The Costão Trail, which will take you to the top of Sugar Loaf, requires a quick climb (15 meters/49 feet) that's considered easy by the experienced. All safety equipment for the climb is included. As you progress, take in views of Copacabana Beach, the Urca district, Guanabara Bay, Christ the Redeemer, and many more priceless sights. On the way down, hop on a cable car to Urca Hill (cost included for the first descent), then continue on a short and easy trail back to the beach. After 5pm, the descent from Morro da Urca to the beach is done by cable car (not included), due to the closing time of the trail.

Rio de Janeiro: Bossa Nova Walking Tour with Guide

8. Rio de Janeiro: Bossa Nova Walking Tour with Guide

In this 3h walking tour, you’ll visit 10 different spots (Ipanema and Copacabana), such as bars, beaches and also passing by the places where the Bossa Nova music was written, played and composed. Our tour guide is an all-in-one professional as he’s also a musican and singer, playing the guitar and some other instruments along the way. You’ll get to know all about Bossa Nova, how and where it started, who were the main composers and performers, like Tom Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes, João Gilberto and others. Walking by this circuit in Ipanema and Copacabana our team will reveal all the secrets and the main facts and events behind this music style that is Rio’s trademark. Walk by the same streets where the Girl from Ipanema did and, listening to our tour guide, let your mind feel Rio’s cultural atmosphere of the 50s-60s, when the Bossa Nova had its golden years and most glamorous times. Music, culture, history, curiosities, scenic spots and a lot of fun.

Frequently asked questions about Rio de Janeiro

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Petrópolis

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Other Sightseeing Options in Rio de Janeiro

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What people are saying about Rio de Janeiro

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 866 reviews

José was excellent guide! He shown us the favela, we felt secure and it was a massive experience for us! Rio looks wonderful from Santa Marta. It is absolutely worth seeing. And very important issue: remember about the dignity of these poor people. It is not a show, it is not the zoo, this is the real life. Respect these people, listen to the guide, respect the rules and you will have a wonderful experience. 100% satisfied

Thiago, Pedro, and Julianna were brilliant guides; informative, friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. The experience was amazing, such friendly people and an interesting sense of community, a completely different outlook than the perception we have from movies etc. Would definitely recommend, a Rio highlight!

Felipe was a very knowledgeable guide, who explained in detail the sociopolitical origins of Favelas. This tour was probably the most meaningful and insightful part of my visit to Rio, as the propagandists obscure the brutal inequality/racism endemic in modern day Brazil.

Even in the pouring rain it was a fantastic tour/experience. Pedro was a brilliant tour guide would highly recommend.

Great tour, very friendly and knowledgeable guide!