Rio de Janeiro in 3 days
Rio is Christ the Redeemer with arms open over the bay, the view from Sugarloaf Mountain at sunset, and the sand of Copacabana and Ipanema. A city set between sea and mountains that keeps going late into the night.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- Morning
Christ the Redeemerabout 1 h 30The 30-metre statue on the summit of Corcovado, completed in 1931, reached by rack railway through the Tijuca forest for a view over the city.
- Afternoon
Sugarloaf Mountainabout 1 h 30Two cable car stages via Morro da Urca to the granite summit, where the view takes in Guanabara Bay, Copacabana and Christ the Redeemer.
Day 2
- Morning
Copacabana Beachfree · half a dayFour kilometres of sand along Avenida Atlântica, with its wave-patterned promenade, beach kiosks and games of footvolley.
Day 3
- Morning
Ipanemafree · half a dayNext to Copacabana, a beach known for its sunsets behind the Dois Irmãos peaks, backed by a fashionable district of cafés, shops and bars.
- Late afternoon
Santa Teresafree · about 2 hA hillside neighbourhood of old mansions, artists' studios and bars, reached by its restored yellow tram, close to the tiled Selarón Steps.
Where to sleep in Rio de Janeiro
- Books Hostel · €20 a night
- Bamboo Rio Hostel · €20 a night
- Discovery Hostel · €20 a night
- Arena Copacabana Hotel · €100 a night
- Windsor Excelsior Copacabana · €95 a night
- Hotel Arpoador · €120 a night
- Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro · €500 a night
- Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort · €250 a night
- Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana · €200 a night
Plan this trip
Hotel prices per room per night, checked when written. Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.