05.02.2023.
Rio is fascinating, a city like no other. It’s a place where mountains and sea blend in perfect harmony and create incredible scenery. Realizing that it’s one of my favourite cities became too quick.
What makes Rio so wonderful is the vibe where you can feel the soft infusion of life. Just walking on Ipanema and Copacabana made me so miraculously happy to be here and embrace this scenery.
When talking about Rio, you’ll want to see the gorgeous images from above- just like on the postcards. Even if I didn’t realize all the beautiful hikes of Rio, this city is calling me to come again soon. It’s marvelous to see that Rio doesn’t feel like such a chaotic city, that nature rules here in its rhythmic shine.
Collecting these wonderful viewpoints in Rio will let you go beyond the surface, beyond the crowds. These viewpoints are certainly something that can substitute the expensive helicopter rides.
Let me know what feelings Rio implements in you.
See also: Why you should visit the pretty Salvador de Bahia, a city of capoeira;
See also: Morro de Sao Paulo, beautiful Brazilian beach destination;
See also: Nomad Cruise from Tenerife to Brazil;
Morro dos Irmaos- the best hike in Rio de Janeiro
Morro dos Irmaos (Two Brothers’s hike) are two peaks that beautifully shape Ipanema Beach and offer outstanding views. Though it’s characterized as an easy hike, the trail is still very steep. At the top it feels like you have the whole viewpoint to yourself enjoying Rio in all its shine.
Taking an hour to reach the peak you’ll pass Ipanema views on the way embraced by the whiteness of the favelas.
The Vidigal favela is the starting point easily accessible by Moto Uber. You’ll see many motorbikes upon approaching the Vidigal favela so you don’t have to book in advance.
The incredible panorama of Rio at Morro dos Irmaos will make you love this city even more. Admiring how Ipanema gives allure to the heart-shaped lake is your task here.
Hiking with the Ipanema Beach Hostel
When choosing my hostel in Rio (which was a thrilling task), finally I decided to take the Ipanema Beach Hostel. It’s easy to make friends here thanks to many free hikes and tours around the city. You can also easily arrange on your own with other hostel fellows thanks to their wpp group.
It was such a fun experience and I didn’t have to worry about how to get there. All we need to do is to follow the music and listen to our lovely Spanish guide Alexandra. Following the music means that we had our guitar player with his small guitar.
On our way back we stopped at one of the local restaurants of the Favela Vidigal. It was pretty convenient due to the rain that started. Anyhow, we were lucky to take a swim at Praia Vidigal, the lovely little beach that overlooks Leblon and Ipanema.
Arpoador rocks- the best sunset in Rio de Janeiro
Arpoador Rocks are the most popular sunset viewpoint in the city due to their comfy location. Following the Arpoador beach between Copacabana and Ipanema, you’ll also find a fantastic panorama of Rio. It was incredible to see how the clouds intervened at the Corcovado mountain (Jesus monument). We were blessed with a beautiful rainbow after a short rain (thinking even about leaving).
Finally, we had an awesome sunset and that’s what I would recommend to anyone who comes to Rio.
Passing through a little jungle on the way to the rocks was fun, particularly to see so many people gather here.
Mirante Dona Marta/Mirante do Pedrao- the best view of Rio de Janeiro
At Mirante Dona Marta you’ll get the fabulous gift of Rio absorbing its incredible beauty. Resembling to the views from Cristo the Redeemer, you’ll be rewarded with lesser crowds here. It’s double lower comparing to the Corcovado Mountain (710m) and counts only 360 m. Still, you feel like you’re at the top of the world.
The free access is your invitation to visit Dona Marta viewpoint.
You can easily reach it with Uber and a guided tour. I tried to search it on my own by foot but I wouldn’t recommend it. Luckily, I found another quite similar viewpoint- Mirante do Pedrao. The parking slots to Mirante Dona Marta is only a short walk away.
The sunsets at Mirante Dona Marta are full of magical moments so don’t miss it out.
Mirante do Pedrao
Mirante do Pedrao offers a great alternative to Mirante Dona Marta and a much easier way to reach it by foot. Stretching above the favela Santa Marta, you’ll only need to take an elevator to the top of the favela. It will also offer a glimpse of the local life being one of the safest favela in Rio.
There’s also a road from Botafogo Beach towards this mesmerizing viewpoint. A police station lies on the way to the Mirante from the elevator.
The Maze- artistic viewpoint of Rio de Janeiro
The Maze pours the artistic shine in abundance along the panoramic treasure of Rio. The Barcelona style of the incredible mosaics is something I didn’t expect to find in Rio.
The Maze is a cultural center, B&B, restaurant and an awesome gallery, located in the safe favela of Rio. You can absorb the stories of the travellers from all around the world in their images. Thanks to the British artist Bob Nadkarni the Maze took shape 40 years ago and today became so majestic. The entrance fee for a regular visit is 15 reals, though sometimes you can enjoy jazz, samba or similar events.
The best way to reach the Maze is to take a metro to Catete and afterwards follow the uphill route. It’s about 30 minutes walking from Catete metro.
Cristo the Redeemer- the iconic viewpoint in Rio de Janiero
What makes Corcovado mountain where Jesus monument lies so exquisite are the incredible views you can get here. It’s like seeing the picture postcard of Rio that shines so gently at the palm of your hand.
The famous mountain looks pretty high, but it counts only 710m. It’s a marvelous viewpoint that you can see all over Rio. The iconic monument was completed in 1931 covering 30 meters.
During the good weather, the crowds are always present, even at 8 am when it opens. You can visit Cristo the Redeemer with a tour, train through the Tijuca forest or hiking.
I always prefer the hiking option as your experience is on a deeper lever. The tour will take you to the monument with a van and then you can take an elevator.
Bonus: Parque da Cidade Niteroi
Though you wouldn’t have in mind to catch Niteroi and its views, this panorama of Rio will simply delight you. It’s fascinating how the bridge between Rio de Janeiro and City of Niteroi covers 14 km.
If you thought that Parque da Cidade would refresh you in its foresty atmosphere, it’s only about the view here. Stretching above the city until you reach the fabulous viewpoint will require a 30 minutes walk or an Uber up here. From the Sugarloaf to Cristo the Redeemer, the Gunabara Bay leaves with breathtaking mountain sights.
If you’re visiting Niteroi, don’t miss Itacotiara Beach which is so cute.
Where to stay in Rio
As it’s a bit tricky to find a decent place in Rio (even Airbnb), you would still rather choose to be close to the beach. In fact, Ipanema and Copacabana are the safest areas to stay in Rio. I would still rather suggest Ipanema as the beach is much nicer and so close to all the attractions.
Even finding a cozy hostel comes with certain doubts about having a kitchen, atmosphere or good beds.
The best hostels in Rio
Ipanema Beach Hostel– though it’s a party hostel, it’s just so brilliant considering the social atmosphere. The stuff is awesome, cozy beds and location unbeatable- the only downside is the lack of the kitchen. But having free hikes is such a big advantage.
Aquarela do Leme– this hostel is very social, having free hikes, awesome design and delicious breakfast. It’s located a bit uphill, close to the Leme beach.
Selina Copacabana & Selina Lapa– though it lacks a bit of social atmosphere, we have impressive design and unbeatable location here. Let’s just mention the gorgeous views at the rooftop of Selina Copacabana.
Matianellu Hostel– nestled in Copacabana, Matianellu hostel offers comfortable beds, a kitchen, lovely atmosphere and a fantastic breakfast;
Mid-range hotels
Hotel Nuovo Biaritz Copacabana– is a pretty affordable hotel with decent rooms and complimentary breakfast;
Miramar Hotel by Windsor– offers elegant rooms and a breathtaking view to Copacabana Beach, next to the infinity pool;
Windsor Excelsior Copacabana– might be more affordable, but the views and conformity are breathtaking;
Luxury hotels
Belmond Copacabana Palace Hotel– dating back into 1923, it covers large pool and majestic design;
Final thoughts
Visiting Rio is like dream come true and seeing it in person is even more majestic. It holds a special Brazilian spirit that unites with every traveller. I hope to inspire you with a new perspective and ideas to visit in Rio.
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Very interesting viewpoints, you have cool pictures of Rio De Janeiro. I’m adding these to the list to visit next time we go there. Thank you for sharing!
Lovely photos. Thanks for sharing.
Rio is soooo beautiful! It’s good that you visited there. I wish to travel there too someday. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Rio looks absolutely stunning, it always been a place where I’d love to visit. Your photo’s are beautiful!
I have a cousin who was born in Rio De Janeiro, and lived there for a number of years as a child and they always talked about its vibrancy and the beauty it has. I’ve been curious about visiting because of that, and now reading this and seeing your photos, it’s high on my list of places to go!
I’d love to go to the Rio De Janeiro. Your photos are beautiful!
Rio De Janeiro has been on my list of places I would love to travel to. Your photos intensified that desire to go to Brazil.