Rio de Janeiro Downtown Landmarks Small-Group Tour
Free Cancellation
4.8 (32)
from
EUR 64.00

3 hours


E-voucher


Multiple

Overview

Be ready for pickup at your hotel in Copacabana, Ipanema or Leblon. Climb into a comfortable tour vehicle and depart for your whirlwind tour of downtown Rio. 

See Maracanã Stadium and the Sambadromo, then head down the Avenida Presidente Vargas to see the Central Railway Station, Duque de Caxias Palace, and Itamaraty Palace. Get views of Campo de Santana, Tiradentes Square, and Avenida Chile. Take in the impressive modern architecture of the Metropolitan Cathedral before stopping in Lapa to see the neighborhood's famous arches. 

Check out the Escadaria Selarón and the São Bento Monastery, then cruise down Aterro do Flamengo, home to the Church of the Outeiro da Glória, the Monument to the Fallen in World War II, and the Museum of Modern Art. 

End your tour with drop-off back at your hotel.

Operated by

Carioca Tropical Tour Operator

Ratings & Reviews

Average Rating

4.78

/ 5

32 traveller ratings

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Excellent, we loved it

sandragS5456CC, Jan 2026

Excellent tour, very punctual, the gua Monica very nice and interesting, we were very comfortable and had time to know the places and take pictures, we loved the tour, it is just what we were looking for in this experience!

Highly recommended tour

683sus, Jul 2025

Excellent tour, highly recommended. Monica was a luxury, attentive, very willing and informed guide. It provided history of each of the places we visited.

Very unprofessional...

gregory_l, Apr 2025

Very unprofessional company. Late for pick up for almost 1 hour. Driver drive van very fast and guide make little comments. On each spot we stay not more than 5-10 min with little comments

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Hi Gregory, I'm sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy your tour. As you know, we offered you a complimentary second tour when you decided to end the initial one due to rain, and this was free of charge. Please note that weather conditions are beyond our control. This tour typically lasts 3-4 hours, during which we visit many historical sites in the center of Rio, where all customers are welcome to disembark and explore. Our guides are specialists in the city's rich history. Regards,

Ride in the centre of Rio

F3870EFandread, Feb 2025

Wonderful day with ride to the center at the main attractions of Rio. The guide Monica was helpful, friendly and extremely competent.

Itinerary

  • Mosteiro De Sao Bento

    The Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, more commonly known as the Mosteiro de São Bento (Monastery of St. Benedict), is a Benedictine abbey located in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

    The abbey was founded by Benedictine monks who came from the state of Bahia in 1590. It is still operational today, along with the Colégio de São Bento (St. Benedict College) nearby.

    The façade was part of the original Mannerist project and featured a centralized edifice with three archways at the entrance, as well as a triangular gable. Two towers crowned by pyramidal spires flanked the entryway. After passing through the entrance archway, the building houses a tiled porch and iron gates from the nineteenth century.

    30 minutes
    Admission Included
  • The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian

    With architecture inspired by the Mayan pyramids of Mexico, the conical shape is believed to give proximity to God. Four stained glass windows run from floor to ceiling forming a cross at the top. Acoustics are "heavenly" here!

    30 minutes
  • Maracana

    The Maracanã Stadium, was inaugurated in 1950 to host the World Cup. It is the largest stadium in Brazil, with capacity for more than 78 thousand fans. The "Maraca", as it is also called, besides the games of the national champions, is the Brazilian and of other great international competitions, is the stage of the great musical spectacles.We will not go inside it and will make a quick stop outside, at Bellini's statue, for pictures visit.

    15 minutes
  • Forte Duque de Caxias

    Fort Copacabana is a military base at the south end of the beach that defines the district of Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. The base is open to the public and contains the Museu Histórico do Exército (Army Historical Museum) and a coastal defense fort that is the actual Fort Copacabana.

  • Arcos da Lapa

    The Carioca Aqueduct is located in the centre of the city, in the Lapa neighbourhood, and is frequently called Arcos da Lapa (Lapa Arches) by Brazilian people. Since the end of the 19th century the aqueduct serves as a bridge for a popular tram that connects the city centre with the Santa Teresa neighbourhood uphill, the Santa Teresa Tramway.

  • Escadaria Selaron

    Escadaria Selarón, also known as the 'Selaron Steps', is a set of world-famous steps in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They are the work of Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón who claimed it as "my tribute to the Brazilian people.

    In 1990, Selarón began renovating dilapidated steps that ran along the front of his house. At first, neighbours mocked him for his choice of colours as he covered the steps in fragments of blue, green and yellow tiles – the colours of the Brazilian flag. It started out as a side-project to his main passion, painting, but soon became an obsession. He found he was constantly out of money, so Selarón sold paintings to fund his work. It was long and exhausting work but he continued on and eventually covered the entire set of steps in tiles, ceramics and mirrors.

    30 minutes
  • Botafogo Beach

    Botafogo is a beachfront neighbourhood. It is a mostly upper middle class and small commerce community, and is located between the hills of Mundo Novo, Dona Marta (which separates it from Laranjeiras) and São João (which separates it from Copacabana). The word Botafogo also refers to a Latin American ballroom dance move, named so because the area of Botafogo is where it originated.

  • Praia do Flamengo

    Flamengo is located between Catete and Botafogo districts on the edge of Guanabara Bay. The beachfront area is dominated by the Brigadier Eduardo Gomes Park, also known as Aterro do Flamengo, built on nearly 300 acres (1.2 km²) of land reclaimed from the bay and completed in 1965. The park features gardens designed by well-known Brazilian landscape designer Roberto Burle Marx.

  • Rua do Lavradio

    Lavradio street is a famous place in Lapa district because it has several antique shops, bars and restaurants that attract people all the time. On the first weekend of each month there is a street fair that concentrates national and foreign tourists and locals who know of the local fame. The bars occupy the streets with small tables and several stalls market everything, which gives a respectable agglomeration

    20 minutes
Meeting Point Map

Location

Address

Av. Atlântica, 1020 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22010-000, Brazil

Open Google Map

Experience

Highlights

  • Half-day sightseeing tour of downtown Rio
  • See the landmarks and highlights in a short time period
  • Small group ensures personalized attention from your guide
  • Pickup and drop-off at your Zona Sul hotel
  • Inclusions

    • Professional guide
    • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)

    Exclusions

    • Gratuities

    Additional Information

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking
    • Children up to 5 years old with ID and on the lap will be free

    Guide Languages

    • English

    • Portuguese

    • Spanish

    Cancellation Policy

    • A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.

    • No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.

    from
    EUR 64.00