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Carioca Aqueduct

Carioca Aqueduct: Our most recommended tours and activities

Rio: Christ the Redeemer & Selarón Steps Half-Day Tour

1. Rio: Christ the Redeemer & Selarón Steps Half-Day Tour

Meet your group at the meeting point in Copacabana. Start your half-day and drive up to the statue of Christ the Redeemer at the top of the Corcovado Mountain, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Journey through a short and beautiful route through Tijuca Forest, one of the largest urban forests in the world, before enjoying the incredible views of the entire city. When reaching the top of the mountain, visit the most famous tourist attraction in Brazil and get a panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro, 710 meters above sea level. Return from Christ the Redeemer and drive past Santa Teresa, the famous neighborhood located on a hillside known for its narrow cobblestone streets, unique cultural flair, and iconic yellow tram. Arrive at the neighborhood of Lapa, a hot spot of Rio’s nightlife and known for the Carioca Aqueduct, before visiting the brightly colored tiles of the world-famous Selarón Steps. Take some photos at one of Rio's most distinctive landmarks. This landmark was created when Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón began renovating the dilapidated steps that ran along the front of his house. This now-iconic site has featured in many famous magazines, newspapers, travel shows, documentaries, and commercials.

Rio de Janeiro: Historic Rio and Santa Teresa Half-Day Tour

2. Rio de Janeiro: Historic Rio and Santa Teresa Half-Day Tour

Following pickup from your accommodation, head to the historic center of Rio de Janeiro. Consisting of centuries-old buildings and roads, the historic center of Rio best illustrates the most important chapters of Brazil’s history.  See the contrast of new and old architecture at XV de Novembro Square. Continue to Cinelândia Square until you reach the famous Carioca Aqueduct (Arcos de Lapa) in Lapa. Admire the historic beauty as you continue to Santa Teresa by car. Enjoy the winding narrow streets and colorful buildings of bohemian Santa Teresa, famous for its bars, galleries, ateliers, and the 19th-century Santa Teresa tram. From the top of Santa Teresa Hill, enjoy some of Rio’s finest views and look across Guanabara Bay.  Take in the panoramic views of the city from the Parque das Ruínas, located in the ruins of an old mansion belonging to Laurinda Santos. The mansion has been partially restored and is now used as a cultural center hosting various exhibitions and events.

Rio by night: Samba, cachaça's taste and caipirinha class

3. Rio by night: Samba, cachaça's taste and caipirinha class

Welcome to Rio de Janeiro! If you're looking for a fun night out and experiences with the local culture, our pub crawl is a perfect option. Take a look at this itinerary for a night of drinks, dancing, and fun: We start the night at a classic Cachaça bar, the most traditional drink in Brazil. There we'll have an amazing Caipirinha class and you can go home surprising your friends with this delicious drink. We'll also be a flavours Cachaça's tasting. Then, we'll go to the Arcos da Lapa, an iconic tourist spot in the city. We'll get to know the famous food and drink stalls and have a free Caipirinha. Continuing on our way, we'll take a break to learn about the history and take pictures of the beautiful Selarón, a grand staircase made of colorful tiles. Continuing the party, we'll go to a Samba bar with live music. There you'll have an immersion in the carioca culture, getting to know the most heard musical rhythm around here. To encourage you to dance, we'll have a surprise shot to warm up your body. Last but not least, we'll go to a nightclub to close our night with a flourish. Brazilian funk, pop, and reggaeton are some of the musical rhythms we'll listen to there. The guide will accompany you until 1am, but you can stay and enjoy the night until the club closes (usually at 5am). And you'll do all of this accompanied by a guide who will help you with fun and security during the tour. Our guides speak Portuguese, English and Spanish. Come and get to know the culture of Rio de Janeiro, drink our drinks, and have a great night of fun!

Rio: Historical Downtown and Lapa Walking Tour

4. Rio: Historical Downtown and Lapa Walking Tour

“Rio de Janeiro is still gorgeous”, is one of the most beautiful and simple quotes that portrays the Amazing Rio de Janeiro. The energy, monuments and the spectacular mix of sea and mountains, makes the landscape of Rio breathtaking. Did you know Rio is considered part of the world’s heritage? We from Rio By foot invite you to learn more about the history and culture of the incredible Rio de Janeiro city. We’ll walk through historical downtown and take you back to times of kings and queens, emperors, freedom fighters and revolutionaries. We’re certain that you will fall in love with Rio de Janeiro even more. You’ll discover that Rio is not only home the most beautiful beaches of the world, but also the gorgeous architectural heritage of one of the most classical European courts. This is the perfect first experience you can make in the City,as you'll be able to understand more of, not only our history, but also about our daily life. Get more from our guides. Need tips on nice places for that amazing picutre? Want to know of the amazing restaurants we have? Wanna go for a cool area in the evening to dance Sambe and drinkg caipirinhas? Our guides will be able to help you with all that througout the tour.

City Tour Rio de Janeiro

5. City Tour Rio de Janeiro

Exploring Rio de Janeiro: An Unforgettable Experience Rio de Janeiro, known for its natural beauty and vibrant culture, is one of the world's most iconic destinations. If you want to make the most of this incredible city in just one day, our tour agency has the perfect experience for you. Our one-day tour of Rio de Janeiro offers a unique opportunity to explore some of the most iconic locations in this stunning city. Beginning with the majestic Metropolitan Cathedral, you'll be impressed by the modernist architecture of this religious building. Its conical shapes and colorful stained glass are truly stunning and provide a memorable start to the day. Next, we'll visit the legendary Maracanã, the temple of Brazilian soccer. While we won't enter the stadium, you'll feel the energy and passion that surround this place as you hear fascinating stories about the matches and players who made history here. The next stop is the Selarón Steps, an incredible public artwork that is a hidden gem in the heart of Rio de Janeiro. The colorful tiles and carefully placed mosaics along the stairs pay tribute to the city's cultural diversity and stand as a testament to the artist Jorge Selarón's talent. The most exciting part of the tour is the visit to the Christ the Redeemer statue. Located at the top of Corcovado Mountain, this iconic monument offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and the bay. Upon reaching the top, you'll be greeted by the majestic Christ statue with open arms in a welcoming gesture. The view is awe-inspiring, and you'll have the opportunity to take spectacular photos to forever remember this special moment. To conclude the day, we'll pass by the Sambadrome, the venue where the famous samba school parades take place during Rio's Carnival. While we won't witness a parade, you'll have a chance to admire the grandeur of this venue and imagine the contagious energy that takes over the city during Carnival. Throughout the tour, you'll have an experienced guide who will share interesting stories and information about each of the places visited. Additionally, we ensure comfortable and safe transportation between the sights so you can make the most of your day worry-free. This tour is a unique opportunity to experience the best Rio de Janeiro has to offer in just one day. From faith to sports, from art to culture, you'll experience the essence of the city authentically and memorably. Reserve your spot now and get ready for an exciting day in Rio de Janeiro!

Rio de Janeiro Full-Day Sightseeing Tour

6. Rio de Janeiro Full-Day Sightseeing Tour

Avoid the crowds with an early morning visit to Corcovado Hill and see the Christ the Redeemer statue before the masses arrive! Drive alongside Botafogo beach en route to the monument, passing the official residence of the state governor at the Palácio Guanabara along the way. Admire the manor houses of the old coffee barons in the upscale districts of Laranjeiras and Cosme Velho. Arrive at Tijuca Forest and stop at Paineiras to board the vehicles of the National Park Authority. Ascend to the top of Corcovado Hill for a 45-minute visit and some of the best views of the city. In the event of poor visibility on the summit, an alternative stop will be made at the Mirante Dona Marta (362 meters). Descend Corcovado Hill and head towards Sugarloaf Mountain, passing the Brazilian Empire relics of Largo do Boticário and Casa dos Abacaxis. Head back along Botafogo beach towards Praia Vermelha in the district of Urca, admiring the neo-classical buildings of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, the Institute Benjamin Constant for the blind and the National Institute for Mineral Resources. Arrive at the Sugarloaf Mountain cable car station and climb aboard the first cable car to go into service in South America. Ride up Urca Hill (200 meters) and continue to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain (395 meters) to enjoy about 30 minutes at the top. Next, enjoy lunch in an Ipanema restaurant. There will be many different meal options at your disposal, so choose anything from Brazilian steakhouse fare or a light sandwich. You can also use the time to explore the Ipanema district. After lunch, visit the Maracanã Stadium, where the 1950 World Cup was held just after it opened. Discover the main arena of Rio Carnival at the Sambadrome. Journey along Avenida Presidente Vargas to see downtown landmarks such as the Central Railway Station, Duque de Caxias Palace, Itamaraty Palace and Campo de Santana. Continue along Avenida Passos to Praça Tiradentes, and admire the Carioca Aqueduct (Arcos da Lapa) that carries the trams from the city center to the Santa Teresa neighborhood. Travel down one of Rio's oldest streets on Rua do Lavradio, and then see the modern buildings of Avenida República do Chile. Go to the cone-shaped Metropolitan Cathedral to marvel at a masterpiece of modern architecture. Next, visit the bohemian neighborhood of Lapa and see the Escadaria Selarón, where the vibrant green, yellow and blue colors of the staircase match the Brazilian flag. Enjoy a moment of peace at São Bento Monastery before traveling along Aterro do Flamengo to the admire the Museum of Modern Art, the Monument to the Brazilian Soldiers of World War II and the tiny church of Nossa Senhora da Glória do Outeiro. Pass the beaches of Flamengo and Botafogo before a drop off at your original starting point.

Other Sightseeing Options in Carioca Aqueduct

Want to discover all there is to do in Carioca Aqueduct? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Carioca Aqueduct

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 9 reviews

An excellent half day tour with Meilin who customised the tour to our interests and my walking ability. Lovely architecture in the historic centre, we saw the first library in Brazil which was stunning and had a coffee at the Cafe Colombo which is a local institution. Meilin is full of interesting facts and tells the history of Rio like a story. A must to do.

Our guide, Dario, was top notch! Punctual, helpful, smiling... He showed us around the key points of Rio, embellished the visit with anecdotes, historical references... a real pleasure for us to have been able to discover the Centro and Santa Teresa with him If you want to discover Rio in complete simplicity, call on Dario; it is an exceptional guide

I liked everything, not a stressful excursion)) People are friendly, places are safe and everything is positive

It was good, except for the inconvenience that they changed the place where they were going to pick me up.

It was an excellent tour…Priscilla was the best guide ever, 100% recommended.