Things to Do and See for Free!

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Possibly the most famous stretch of sand in the world, Copacabana beach is synonymous with the hedonistic side of Rio – with sun, sea, beautiful bodies and New Year celebrations on the beach. Stretching for around five kilometers (the beach is called Leme at its northern end), Copacabana boasts soft white sand that is crammed with locals in tiny bikinis and shorts. Stalls selling ice-cold beers and caipirinhas line the beachfront, and joggers run along the pavements – famous for their distinctive wave-patterned black and white tiling. Copacabana beach is overlooked by the attractive, jungle covered hill of Morro do Leme, and Sugar Loaf mountain is resplendent in the background. Avenida Atlantica is the busy road running along the beachfront, and across from the sands the road is lined with towering high rise hotels and apartment blocks, as well as any number of places to eat and drink. Be warned, however, that while a visit here is a must, Copacabana is not the best place to sunbathe. The water is too dirty for swimming, the beach is rife with pickpockets, and vendors selling tourist tat are annoyingly relentless in their drive to relieve you of your tourist dollar.

Description:

One of the best surfing beaches in the area, even at night, with clean, almost transparent water. Locals come from all over to sunbathe on this small stretch of sand between Copacabana and Ipanema. It is also popular with elderly people who gather to play checkers every morning and families who are content to simply watch the surfers have a go at the waves. This beach gets crowded on weekends. The Arpoador rock offers a great view of both Copacabana and Ipanema and the sunset is absolutely astonishing.

Our Local Expert Says:

To see the cathedral at its best, visit on a sunny day , when the light will stream through the many windows and really bring the place to life. The exterior of the cathedral is not to everybody's taste, but seeing the interior when the sun is high in the sky will help you to appreciate the thinking behind the unusual design.

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Very few buildings in Rio divide opinion as much as the Catedral Metropolitana, also known as the Catedral de Sao Sebastiao. An enormous concrete cone covered in tiny rectangular windows, the building intrigues some visitors and repels others. Designed by Edgar de Oliveira da Fonseca, the city's modernist cathedral cannot be fully appreciated from the outside, however. Once inside the cavernous building, those tiny windows begin to make aesthetic sense when, on a sunny day, light streams through them into the building. Beautifully ornate stained-glass windows can't fail to catch the eye, and nor can the huge wooden cross suspended from the ceiling. The Cathedral can be combined with a visit to the pretty hillside neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, as it sits right by the bonde (tram) station that ferries passengers to and from the neighbourhood. It's easily reached by taking a Metro to Carioca station.

Our Local Expert Says:

Don't be startled by locals jumping on and off the tram as it clatters along - an unwritten rule holds that the ride is free for anyone who travels standing on the platforms on the side of the tram.

Description:

The Santa Teresa bonde (streetcar) is the last reminder of what was once Rio's principle form of public transport. But far from being just a historical artifact, the rattling yellow tram is great fun to ride, as it clatters over the iconic Arcos da Lapa and up the winding cobbled streets of Santa Teresa. Locals jump on and off the bonde as it rattles by – there is no charge for those who choose to stand on the running board instead of taking a seat. There are two lines – one to Paulo Mattos, and one to Dois Irmaoes. Both pass tram stops at Largo do Curvelo, where there is regular live samba on Sundays, and Largo do Guimaraes, which is the central point for the neighborhood's many excellent bars, restaurants and shops. Jump off at either point and you will be well-placed for exploring this bucolic neighborhood.

Our Local Expert Says:

By day, Santa Teresa is a great place to pick up some arty knick-knacks and enjoy a bite to eat in one of the many traditional restaurants. By night, the neighborhood becomes a hip hangout for bohemian types of all ages, as the bars, cafes and restaurants become packed with students, musicians and artists.

Description:

Once home to Rio's wealthiest inhabitants, the charming hillside neighborhood of Santa Teresa began to fall into disrepair during the 1960s and 70s, when the emergence of favelas nearby drove the rich towards the city's beaches. Artists and musicians moved into the abandoned mansions, and today Santa Teresa is known as Rio's most bohemian neighborhood. Vintage clothes stores, artists workshops and wonderfully laid-back bars and restaurants make the neighborhood well worth a visit, and the iconic yellow tram that clatters its way along the twisting streets is a joy to ride. Despite its close proximity to the city centre, Santa Teresa has preserved a charming small-town atmosphere, and there is a real community atmosphere to the place. Santa Teresa is well-policed and its reputation as a dangerous area to visit is largely undeserved , however, do take the usual precautions, and take taxis between here and Santa Teresa at night.

Our Local Expert Says:

If you want to take photos here consider visiting as part of an organized tour. Lapa is not the safest part of Rio and lone tourists with cameras can be a target for thieves. Ask around about tours that take in the 'Lapa Steps'.

Description:

The steps between Lapa and Santa Teresa have been turned into an ongoing work of art by eccentric Chilean artist Selarón. The artist has used painted and decorated tiles from across the world to create something truly unique - musicians such as Snoop Dogg and Pharell have shot promotional videos here.

Description:

Built in the 1750, the iconic Arcos Da Lapa (or 'Lapa Arches') were historically used to ship water from the hills to downtown Rio. Today, the rattling yellow Santa Teresa bonde (tram) clatters over the arches before climbing up the steep cobbled streets. After dark, hordes of locals and foreign visitors gather beneath the Arcos da Lapa to meet, mingle and sample the delicious fruit cocktails offered by the many street vendors.

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This cultural centre, Brazil's first neo-classical building, was built in 1820. Designed by French architect Grandjean de Montigny, it started as an indoor market. Today, it is home to different exhibitions reflecting the cultural relationship between France and Brazil, through exhibits that include painting, photography, prints and sculpture. Entry is free. There is also a restaurant on the premises.

Our Local Expert Says:

Be sure to visit the Lagoa if you are in Rio over the Christmas season. An enormous Christmas tree is placed in the centre of the lake, and the lights sparkling on the water make this an ideal place to come for a romantic Christmas meal or drink.

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Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (or Lagoa, as it is popularly known) is the perfect place to come to unwind. A vast lagoon surrounded by dramatic mountains, Lagoa attracts fitness fanatics making use of the running track and exercise stations; families taking to the water on peddle boats; couples and groups of friends wining and dining at the many waterside bars and restaurants; and pensive types mulling things over as they stroll around the lake and take in the stunning views. The 7.5 kilometre running/cycling/walking track is a great way to exercise in beautiful surrounds, and the nearby Parque Catacumba, entrance to which is free, boasts walking trails that will lead you through bamboo groves to a lofty viewpoint with stunning vistas across the lake and over to Ipanema beach.

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 A dramatically different park that has featured in videos for Snoop Dogg and Pharell Williams as well as the Black-Eyed Peas, Parque Lage sits right next door to Rio's famous Botanical Gardens, but remains something of a secret to tourists. The park is set in teh grounds of a beautiful 1920s mansion, now a coffee house and art school, and the grounds are dotted with little caves that are filled with tropical fish tanks. Teh cafe is a beautiful spot to enjoy a leisurely breakfast or brunch, or make like local families and bring along a cool box filled with picnic goodies and wine. For the more adventurous, trails run into the Tijuca National Park from here.

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Folk art is one of Brazil's strongest traditions, and there is no better place in the city to appreciate it than this unique museum located in the Catete area. Here you will find art from all over the country: ceramics, musical instruments, toys, religious tools, and photographs among others. It has an artesanato gift shop which sells crafts, music and books. This museum is right beside the Museu da República.

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Located in Catete and finished in 1866, this museum is housed in the palace that was home to Brazilian presidents from 1896 to 1954. Restored to its original grandeur with stained-glass windows and marble floors, the collection contains artwork, furniture and memorabilia from the Republic years. There is also an art gallery, a multimedia area, a theatre and a great restaurante set in an enclosed terrace that overlooks the gardens. The permanent exhibition includes an audio tour in English and Spanish.

Description:

The beaches of Rio's Zona Sul (south zone) stretch for miles, and walking the length of these famous stretches of sand is a great way to catch some sun while taking some exercise and enjoying fantastic views. Walking and cycling tracks make seaside strolls a safe activity any day of the week, but the best time for a walk by the beach is Sunday, when the roads are closed to traffic from Leblon right down to the far end of Copacabana. Joggers, cyclers, roller-bladers and power walkers all head here on Sundays to take in some hard core exercise, but a less strenuous option is just to walk along at your own pace, stopping now and then for a cooling agua de coco (chilled coconut water) at one of the many beachside kiosks.