Petropolis Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Petropolis. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Full-Day Excursion to Petrópolis from Rio de Janeiro

• Discover Petropolis and Its Hidden Gems with Our Private Tour

• Petropolis, The Imperial City with Beer Tour and Lunch

• Petropolis: The Imperial City with Lunch

• Guided Tour to the Imperial City of Petrópolis with Lunch

While it’s free to visit the city of Petropolis, certain attractions within it do charge an entry fee. You may get more out of a visit to the imperial city on a guided tour. Full-day group tours from Rio de Janeiro start at US$44 per person, while private tours, including admission to the Imperial Museum, start at about US$150 per person.

Yes, Petropolis is a popular day-trip destination from Rio de Janeiro, known for its fascinating imperial history and mountain setting. Escape the city heat for the cooler climes of Petropolis and spend time visiting the Imperial Museum, the grand Quitandinha Palace, and other historical sites. To maximize your time and skip the hassle of public transport, consider visiting on a day tour from Rio—it's also a great way to get context and insider recommendations from a local guide.

Per one customer who booked the Discover Petropolis and Its Hidden Gems with Our Private Tour, "Our guide was excellent, and gave a very detailed tour of the city, and also gave us insight into the culture of Brazil. He gave us an excellent lunch recommendation of a fabulous Brazilian barbecue. The sites that we saw were very interesting, and he knew many details and was very knowledgeable. Thank you, Marcelo!"

You can easily reach Petrópolis by car as it's 42 miles (68 kilometers) from the city center of Rio de Janeiro. If you’re on a budget, head to Rio’s main bus terminal, Novo Rio, which offers frequent services to Petrópolis. Or, opt for a convenient day tour with round–trip transportation.

Petrópolis enjoys a mild climate year–round, with temperatures slightly cooler than Rio de Janeiro due to the city’s elevation. The best time to visit the city is in Brazil's winter months (May–September) when the crowds are smaller. Summer (October-April) is also enjoyable, but be prepared for rain and high humidity.

For royal history, head to Petrópolis’ Imperial Museum and Crystal Palace. Nature lovers should beeline for Serra dos Órgãos National Park, while beer fans can’t miss a tasting at Cervejaria Bohemia. Casa de Santos Dumont, home of a prolific inventor, and Cathedral of Petrópolis are popular attractions.

Petrópolis, or the Imperial City, was founded in 1843 by Emperor Pedro II. Initially inhabited by indigenous tribes, it became the summer capital of Brazil’s Empire. The city was a strategic route during the gold rush and a retreat for Rio’s affluent residents during yellow fever outbreaks.

Every July, Petrópolis hosts Bauernfest, a celebration of Germanic traditions featuring folk dances, choirs, bands, and beer–drinking contests, reflecting the city's German colonial heritage. Other annual celebrations include the Serra Serata, which honors Italian culture, and the Winter Festival, featuring concerts and theater performances. The Bunka-Sai festival showcases Japanese culture.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Petropolis. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Rio de Janeiro:

• Christ the Redeemer Statue

• Sugarloaf Mountain

• Selarón Steps

• Rio de Janeiro Cathedral

• Santa Teres

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Rio de Janeiro.