Traveling to Rio is always a good idea. Consolidated as one of the most touristic cities in the world, where natural beauty merges with culture, the "Wonderful City” captivates with its iconic beaches, its nature and a vibrant energy as part of its essence. From its imposing carnival to the rich artistic and culinary scene, this Brazilian city receives millions of visitors every year who go in search of a unique experience. In the month of Holy Week, the ideal time to plan a short-stay trip, Visit Rio shares its recommendations for a brief and unforgettable carioca getaway:
Day 1: sun, sand and movie postcards
The beaches and their hills are part of the DNA of Rio de Janeiro so... Why not start our trip by enjoying its famous coasts and the scenery that surrounds them? The traditional Ipanema, Leblon and Copacabana will be the ideal environment for a first postcard of Rio. Its Atlantic Avenue awaits us for a walk where we can delight in the Rio lifestyle that is lived on every corner.
For those who have already been to the city and are looking for landscapes outside the traditional circuit, some of the most spectacular beaches are found in Grumari, Barra da Tijuca, Sao Conrado, Prainha and Recreio dos Bandeirantes. Each one with its own characteristics, these beaches, ideal for doing water sports, exploring nature or resting away from crowds, invite us to discover different landscapes with one factor in common: abundant natural beauty.
To close the first day, we visited one of the most emblematic places in Brazil, Sugarloaf Mountain. To get there, we took the cable car from Praia Vermelha to the top of the hill, one of the most beautiful points in Rio de Janeiro from where you can enjoy its dazzling views. From there it is possible to admire the city's landscape, including Botafogo Bay, the shore of Copacabana beach and the entrance to Guanabara Bay.
Day 2: Rio art and culture
We start the day with a traditional “café da manha” to delight all the senses and transport us to the “Belle Epoque” in the emblematic Colombo Cafeteria* founded in 1894 by Portuguese immigrants. After traveling through time with its architecture and historical beauty, we continue to our next stop: museums. Although the city has several important artistic centers, we chose to combine two very different ones: on the one hand, the Museum of Modern Art of Rio de Janeiro (MAM), a cultural institution located in the Parque do Flamengo with distinctive architecture designed by Affonso Reidy . The MAM houses a diverse collection of Brazilian and international modern and contemporary art that is worth knowing. And on the other, the innovative Museo do Amanhã, designed by Santiago Calatrava, science and art merge in this imposing space inviting us to reflect on the human role in the evolution of the planet.
To complete our cultural day, we recommend visiting Cidade Das Artes, a cultural complex located in the heart of Barra da Tijuca, inaugurated in 2013, it is considered one of the main centers for musical performances in Rio and has one of the opera concert halls. and largest symphony orchestra in America.
Day 3: fusion of experiences
The last day is enjoyed combining different experiences; walk through a green oasis, visit a Brazilian icon par excellence and dine in a gastronomic space that will conquer our senses.
In the morning, we visited Lage Park, located at the foot of Corcovado, famous for its historic mansion, which is the scene of various cultural activities and headquarters of the School of Visual Arts. In addition, the park has a restaurant where we can have lunch in a special environment. Finally, we can discover its trails surrounded by tropical vegetation and enjoy a quiet and natural experience in the middle of the city.
We continue our day on the way to the icon of Brazil and one of the wonders of the world, Christ the Redeemer. We took the train to Corcovado to enjoy the road with a beautiful trip through the tropical jungle. Once there, the majesty of the statue and the panoramic views of the city will captivate us and provide some of the most impressive postcards of the city.
To crown our day we had dinner in one of the most innovative spaces in Rio's gastronomy: Mesa do Lado. It is not just a restaurant but an experience that combines haute cuisine with a complete sensory adventure. Led by chef Claude Troisgros and directors Batman Zavareze and Césio Limau, its exclusive menu for only twelve diners creates a spectacle of flavors, sounds and images that will remain in our memories.
These experiences represent only a small part of the great tourist offer of Rio de Janeiro. On the Visit Río online platform we can discover different options for activities, accommodation, spaces of interest and also stay up to date with their calendar of events in the city so as not to miss anything.