What to do in Rio de Janeiro

Advice on what to do in Rio de Janeiro, including culture, relaxation, nightlife, sport and food.

Culture

The Museum of Modern Art is home to more than 4,000 paintings, including exhibitions from the likes of Roy Lichtenstein, the influential pop artist.

The National Historical Museum is one of the finest in all of Brazil, and contains more than 287,000 items, giving it the largest collection in all of Latin America. The museum covers several strands of history, including the development of transport, colonisation, sacred art and the evolution of healthcare in Brazil.

The Christ Redeemer statue is a must-see sight in Rio de Janeiro, which cuts an impressive shape across the sky as it stands above the bay, welcoming visitors to the city.

Recreation

One of the best ways of kicking off your holiday in Rio de Janeiro is taking a quick tram ride up Sugar Loaf to see the granite dome at its top. Once there you will be afforded breathtaking views of the city you are about to enjoy, giving you an idea of its layout.

Rio is blessed with tremendous beaches, including Copacabana and Ipanema, where once you have finished surfing, there are plenty of bars and restaurants to kick back in.

If you yearn for a day basking under trees and surrounding yourself in greenery, the 141 acres of Rio's botanical gardens should suffice, which is awash with tropical and exotic plantlife.

Nightlife

Bunker 94 on Rua Raul Pompeia is a bumping music venue catering for more mainstream tastes as well as cutting-edge drum and bass. Indeed, it is a favourite stomping ground of samba drum and bass specialists, Marky and Patife, so it is well worth a wiggle. Happy, up-for-it crowds are the primary residents of the club in Copacabana.

One of the oldest bars in the area, Bar do Arnaudo on Rua Almirante Alexandrino is a great place to have a quiet drink and rub shoulders with some fellow travellers.

One of the hippest places in Rio is Esch Café, which is part-cigar shop, part-bar, so make sure you slip on your gladdest rags before getting down there to mingle with the in-crowd.

Sport

For a game of samba soccer, head to Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminese and Vasco.

Recommended restaurants in Rio de Janeiro

Gorge on as much seafood as you like at Pampa Oceano in Copacabana, or if you are feeling adventurous, hop on a boat to Laguna, which is based on an island.

A trip to one of Rio's many steak-house rodizios, will result in a feeling of fulfilment and possibly indigestion for the steak-lover, as they are all you can eat affairs. One that is worth a try is Barra Brasa, which also offers a good range of sea food to the diner.