Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro

When you visit Rio de Janeiro, you cannot miss out on the Christ statue, which is a stunning sight. Standing nearly 100 feet tall, Christ’s outstretched arms span 92 feet. At 2,500 feet, the statue is the tallest art Deco statue in the world. You can climb to the statue via escalator, funicular, or cable car. The views are breathtaking, especially during the early morning, when the mists clear.

Sugarloaf cable car

If you love the outdoors, you’ll want to visit the Sugarloaf Cable Car in Rio de Janeiro. This cableway system runs between the towns of Praia Vermelha and Morro da Urca and will take you to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. The trip is worth it, as you’ll see breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings.

The ride on the Sugarloaf Cable Car is one of the safest in the world. The management of the mountain ensures the safety of tourists, regularly replacing cables, and avoiding shuttling them in case of inclement weather. The cable car can accommodate 65 people, and each passenger can choose a seat or stand in the center of the car. You’ll have a full-circle view of the city as you ride, and you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the entire Rio de Janeiro area.

You can visit Sugarloaf during the daytime and at night. The cable car runs every half hour between 10 am and 7 pm on Monday and Thursday, and on weekends it operates from 9 am to 6 pm. Depending on your budget, there’s something to suit everyone. If you’re travelling with kids, there are wheelchair-accessible restrooms and elevators to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

There are several attractions to see and experience on your trip to Sugarloaf. The Sugarloaf cable car was featured in the 1979 James Bond film Moonraker. You can even ride it yourself. During the movie, you’ll see James Bond on the Sugarloaf, while scurrying in a ski lift. In addition, the cable car is rated as one of the safest in the world and is constantly replaced.

Historic churches

The former cathedral, dedicated to Saint Andrew, has exceptional historic value for the city. The church has the most harmonious interior decoration, featuring ornate Rococo woodwork, a sense of lightness, and unity of style. The decoration was completed after 1785 and is a masterpiece of architecture. It was primarily designed and executed by Inacio Ferreira Pinto. He also designed the main altarpiece. The altarpiece and the upper walls of the church feature oval paintings by Jose Leandro de Carvalho. The interior of the church was largely altered later, with a new floor plan.

This church is the oldest in the city and was founded by a brotherhood of merchants. It was initially built in a baroque style and was later enriched with neoclassical elements. It features four marble statues of the Virgin, depicting the Virgin’s Coronation. The church is also home to a marble medallion, possibly belonging to the Ordem da Terceira Penitencia. The church has a bell tower, sacristy, and consistory, and is one of the oldest churches in the city.

Another church worth a visit is the Old Cathedral, located in Praca XV square in downtown Rio. This church is dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and was once a chapel for the Carmelite Order. The church served as the city’s cathedral from 1808 until 1976. Later, it also served as a Brazilian Imperial Chapel and the Portuguese Royal Chapel. Today, it is one of the city’s most significant historical buildings.

The Old Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro was dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The Carmelite order subsequently took over the Benedictine facilities in Brazil. The chapel was renamed the Chapel of the Order of Carmo, and a convent was built next to it. The two structures were connected by a concierge tower, which was later destroyed when the Rua Sete de Setembro was expanded. Queen Maria lived in the monastery and visited it on numerous occasions. Sadly, the chapel collapsed in 1761, when a new temple was built.

Colonial monasteries

In downtown Rio de Janeiro, you will find the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, also known as Mosteiro de Sao Bento. This Benedictine abbey and Mannerist-style church are prime examples of Portuguese colonial architecture in the city. Located on the Morro de Sao Bento, the abbey is one of the most significant and historic Portuguese colonial buildings in Rio.

You can visit the monastery free of charge. Its exterior is simple and unimpressive, but it is also worth a look. The interior is adorned with gold-leafed paintings. The monastery’s only other open space is the small chapel. You must be prepared to wear modest clothing to respect the monks’ sacred space. Getting to the monastery is easy; there is an elevator available at the nearby Valongo Wharf WHS.

Another historic monastery is the Convent of St. Benedict, which is situated on a hill in the city. This is one of the more valuable colonial monasteries in the city. The interior decoration is ornate and exhibits the gilded Baroque style. You will be able to admire the works of many sculptors from Brazil. This building has undergone many restoration projects since its initial construction in 1590.

The most notable part of this monastery is the 17th-century sacristy. Built around 1714, the sacristy is considered one of the most beautiful in Rio de Janeiro. It features Portuguese tiled walls, carved cabinets, and paintings of saints. The sacristy also boasts a jacaranda wood chest of drawers carved by Manuel Alves Setubal in 1745.

Modern art galleries

You can spend hours in one of Rio’s modern art galleries or try the world’s largest outdoor market. The Saara district is a popular destination for tourists and has several modern art galleries in the Saara neighbourhood. A new museum, the Museum of Tomorrow, opened on the first of March, and the redeveloped Porto Maravilha district now includes an aquarium and modern art galleries.

The Museum of Modern Art, or MAM, is a must-visit museum in Rio de Janeiro. Located in the city’s largest public park, Flamengo Park, the museum is a modernist concrete construction designed by the carioca architect Affonso Eduardo Reidy. Since its inception, the museum has been the catalyst for several artistic movements and occupied a central place in Brazil’s cultural landscape.

MAM, Rio’s largest museum, houses a varied collection of contemporary art. Paintings, sculptures, silverware, furniture, and other objects are displayed in the museum’s permanent collection. The museum also has a collection of works by famous Brazilian artists like Matisse, Monet, and Salvador Dali. The museum is open from 11 am to 5 pm Monday through Thursday. There are also temporary exhibitions that take place here.

The MAM Rio’s permanent exhibition features more than 6,400 works of modern art. It also boasts important private collections, with over 2,000 pieces from Gilberto Chateaubriand’s collection. The museum has received 1,963 photographs from Paiva’s private collection since 2005. In addition, the MAM receives touring Brazilian exhibitions from abroad, attracting new audiences to its exhibitions. For art lovers, the annual ‘Portas Abertas’ exhibition is a must-see.

Tours of favelas

The thriving tourist industry in Rio de Janeiro has made it possible to visit the favelas. You can get a first-hand look at life in these communities by taking a favela tour. One of the most popular favela tours is Marcelo Armstrong’s tour of Rocinha. The tour includes a stop at a community school and teaches you about the challenges faced by the children of favelas. Proceeds from the tour go towards social projects that support disadvantaged populations.

While many tours of favelas in Rio de Janeiro have garnered plenty of positive reviews, the experience can also be fraught with controversy. After all, favelas are often associated with poverty and tourism is generally associated with leisure. This dichotomy makes it easy for critics to label favela tours as bad or good. However, the reality is much more complex. Despite the controversy surrounding favela tours, revenues from these tours do not go directly to residents. Instead, the money goes to the tour operators and guides.

The city’s gentrification plans in the favelas have led to the creation of several favela tours. One such area is Vidigal, which is comparable to the Bohemian Santa Teresa district. The area has seen property speculation in recent years. For example, the owners of Casa Alto Vidigal were embroiled in a legal battle over ownership. The Austrian Andreas Wieland and his former German owner ended up in a courtroom – a story that made international headlines but had no impact on the favela’s popularity.

Although some favelas have been renovated to improve the lives of the people living there, some slums remain dangerous. A good guide is essential in making your experience as safe and ethical as possible. To avoid the dangers of the favelas, make sure you choose a tour that has a safety record. While many tours may be fun, remember to exercise caution. If you’re not sure if one of them is a good fit for you, consider booking a tour through the FCO.

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