5 days in Rio de Janeiro

Day by day

1. Day 1: Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain

   Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain and Copacabana Beach, then Maracanã Stadium in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Christ the Redeemer

      Take one of the first trains on a clear morning; cloud often settles over the summit later in the day, so look at the sky before you set off. (2–3 hours including the train, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Sugarloaf Mountain

      Arrive about an hour before sunset to see the city in daylight, at dusk and lit up; fit walkers can climb Morro da Urca by trail from the Pista Cláudio Coutinho path at Praia Vermelha. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Feijoada

      Botecos and restaurants traditionally serve it on Saturdays, and in some places on Wednesdays; samba-school and hotel feijoadas with live music are a Saturday institution.

   4. Afternoon

      Copacabana Beach

      Walk the promenade early in the morning when locals jog and play footvolley, and leave valuables at your hotel. (Half a day, free).

   5. Evening

      Maracanã Stadium

      Buy match tickets through the clubs' official sales or a reputable tour operator, and take the Metrô to Maracanã station rather than driving.

2. Day 2: Ipanema Beach and Arpoador Rock

   Ipanema Beach, Arpoador Rock and Selarón Steps, then Lapa Arches in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ipanema Beach

      Use a lifeguard post (posto) as your meeting point and rent chairs and an umbrella from a beach stall (barraca) rather than carrying your own. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Arpoador Rock

      Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset in summer to find a spot on the rock, and watch your footing on the way down after dark. (1–2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Biscoito Globo and iced mate

      From vendors walking every Zona Sul beach; bakeries and supermarkets also sell the biscuits.

   4. Afternoon

      Selarón Steps

      Come early in the morning for photos without crowds, then continue uphill to Santa Teresa by daylight. (30–45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Lapa Arches

      See the arches by day and come back for live samba at night, arriving and leaving by taxi or ride-hailing.

3. Day 3: Santa Teresa and the bonde tram and Tijuca National Park

   Santa Teresa and the bonde tram, Tijuca National Park and Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, then Theatro Municipal in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Santa Teresa and the bonde tram

      Ride the tram up and walk back down towards Lapa via the Selarón Steps while it is still light. (Half a day, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Tijuca National Park

      Hire a local guide for longer hikes such as Pedra da Gávea, carry plenty of water and stick to well-used trails. (Half a day to a full day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Açaí bowl

      Juice bars (casas de suco) on almost every Zona Sul corner, which also squeeze fresh juices from mango to cashew fruit.

   4. Afternoon

      Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden

      Combine it with lunch in the Jardim Botânico neighbourhood and a walk or bike ride around the Lagoa. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Theatro Municipal

      Check the programme for a performance; a show is the best way to see the auditorium full and lit.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Petrópolis

   About 1.5 hours by bus each way. Getting there: Bus from Rodoviária Novo Rio, or a tour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Petrópolis

      About 1.5 hours by bus (Bus from Rodoviária Novo Rio, or a tour); about 68 km.

   2. Day

      Petrópolis

      The emperors' summer retreat in the mountains holds the Imperial Museum in Dom Pedro II's palace, the Gothic-style cathedral with the imperial tombs and the iron-and-glass Crystal Palace. Best for culture, families and quiet stays.

   3. Evening

      Back in Rio de Janeiro

      Dinner: try Cheese bread.

5. Day 5: Museum of Tomorrow and Museu de Arte do Rio (MAR)

   Museum of Tomorrow, Museu de Arte do Rio (MAR) and AquaRio, then Lapa in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Museum of Tomorrow

      Pair it with the Museu de Arte do Rio across Praça Mauá and ride the VLT tram back to Centro. (2 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Museu de Arte do Rio (MAR)

      Take the lift to the rooftop terrace first, then work down through the galleries. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cheese bread

      Bakeries (padarias), juice bars and café counters across the city.

   4. Afternoon

      AquaRio

      Visit on a weekday morning; weekend afternoons and school holidays are crowded. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Lapa

      Samba halls and live-music bars along Rua do Lavradio and Rua Mem de Sá, plus street parties under the arches at weekends.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Christ the Redeemer before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Copacabana keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Ipanema ($$$$) suits first-timers, couples, food lovers, shopping and beach. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 28–36 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.7 hours in June to 13.5 hours in December.

More or fewer days

• One day in Rio de Janeiro
• 2 days in Rio de Janeiro
• 3 days in Rio de Janeiro
• 4 days in Rio de Janeiro
• 7 days in Rio de Janeiro

Questions travellers ask