Samba City (Cidade do Samba) Tours and Tickets

Q: How much does it cost to visit Samba City in 2026?

Samba City (Cidade do Samba) is a ticketed attraction. Currently, tours to the samba landmark, which include admission, begin at around US$17 for adult visitors; Rio de Janeiro residents receive half-priced admission. Tours last for around 1.5 hours and take you behind the scenes of Rio’s annual Carnaval spectacle.

Q: What is Samba City (Cidade do Samba), and why is it a popular attraction in Rio de Janeiro?

Samba City is a unique attraction in Rio de Janeiro consisting of multiple warehouses belonging to the city’s samba schools. The schools participate in the annual Carnaval celebrations and use those warehouses to store and produce the larger-than-life floats, costumes, and accessories that appear in the festivities.

Q: What’s the best way to get to Samba City from popular tourist areas in Rio?

Getting to Samba City from Rio de Janeiro’s most popular tourist areas is not hard. The attraction is served by the L1, L2, and L4 tram lines, which stop at the nearby Gamboa and Providência stops. Otherwise, taxi and rideshare services and guided tours make getting there easier.

Q: Are there guided tours available in Samba City, and what can I expect to see?

Yes, there are guided tours at Samba City—in fact, they are the main way to experience the attraction. Book yours in advance to guarantee your entry; once there, you can look forward to getting a behind-the-scenes peek at the samba schools’ floats and costumes in storage for Carnaval.

Q: Are photos allowed inside Samba City, and is there a dress code?

No, there is no dress code at Samba City. However, since many tours invite visitors to try on costumes, it's worth dressing in light, comfortable layers that are easy to wear under the outfits. While photos may not be allowed in all areas, you can pose for dressed-up selfies.

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Carnival Backstage Tour - Visit a traditional Samba School

Samba is part of Rio de Janeiro’s lifeblood and this tour takes you to a traditional samba school for a behind-the-scenes look at this important cultural aspect. Join a small group and visit the City of Samba, home to several schools, to see where the costumes and giant floats are created. Visit one of the schools and learn about the history of samba, see the workshops, and take a quick samba class.

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Carnival Backstage Tour - Visit a traditional Samba School

2 hoursFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

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Carnaval Experience Ticket - Behind the Scenes

Go behind the scenes for a rehearsal at one of Rio's famous samba schools; it's the next best thing to attending Carnival itself. Visit the courtyard of Academicos do Salgueiro with other Rio locals and dance along to some of the best samba music in the city. During this evening outing, which varies in duration, you'll learn about the history and culture of Rio's samba schools from your guide, and get a chance to hit the dance floor yourself. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included.

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Carnaval Experience Ticket - Behind the Scenes

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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Carnaval Experience - Behind the Scenes of Rios Carnival in the City of Samba

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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Get a glimpse behind the scenes of Carnival during this tour of Cidade do Samba. On this outing, follow your guide on a tour of the Acadêmicos do Grande Rio's warehouse, one of Rio's top samba schools, where they store their outrageous costumes and grandiose parade floats. Toast to your insider's experience with a traditional caipirinha while you learn about the history and culture of the Carnival in Brazil. Brave visitors can even try on a few feathered costumes. Round-trip transportation from central Rio hotels is included.

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Cidade do Samba Behind-the-Scenes Carnival Tour in Rio de Janeiro

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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Private guide and pick-up to Carnaval Experience (Samba City). When in Rio, you need to experience Samba! This tour will introduce you to the artistry and imagination involved in the creation of Carnival and allow you to discover the behind-the-scenes of the greatest Carnival in the world! You will Have a unique and authentic experience exploring the backstage, the secrets, the people working, and the preparations for the parade. During the tour, you will witness the construction and production process of more than 3000 costumes and floats for the Carnival parade. This experience includes a guided tour to the warehouse of the 2022 Carnival champion Samba School, Grande Rio, including exhibition about the history of Samba and the Carnival. This tour also provides a chance to dress up in authentic carnival costumes, experience the samba dance and enjoy a delicious Caipirinha welcome drink.

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Rio Carnival Behind the Scenes: Costume & Samba Experience

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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Let's walk through the history of Samba, following the steps of this rhythm symbol of Rio cultural identity, icon of local african heritage and afro-brazilian resistance. Visiting the main cultural spots in Cinelandia and the Mauá Square, we talk about how the Portuguese culture developed carnival as a political party and samba as a afro-brazilian identity. Walk with us through the Portuary Zone to see the biggest open-air street art gallery and learn about cultural resistance at Pedra do Sal, icon of africanity in Rio. Let yourself vibrate with Carnival magic doing some steps and taking pictures with the colorful costumes at City of Samba, headquarters of the Samba Schools. The main idea is that you enjoy the stories that made Samba the soul of our lovely city. We want you to feel safe, confident and relaxed while we are going through the downtown area of the marvelous city.

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Samba Soul Tour

4 to 5 hoursFree Cancellation

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Looking to experience a dose of Carnaval magic, even if you’re not visiting Rio de Janeiro during the annual festival? This tour offers the perfect introduction. Choose from several start times and travel via air-conditioned vehicle from Copacabana straight to one of the city’s top samba schools. You’ll meet dancers, try on costumes, discover floats, and enjoy a celebratory caipirinha cocktail. Then, learn insider tips during a hands-on samba lesson.

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Carnaval Party Tour and Samba Class in Rio with Transfer

2 hoursFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

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Rio Carnival Backstage Experience with Samba at Carnaval Factory

3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

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Private and Customizable Tour in Rio de Janeiro

Discover Rio de Janeiro with our Private Guided Tours, guaranteeing a tailor-made experience in the Marvelous City. Your Tour Guide will pick you up at your hotel or meeting point to provide you with an unforgettable tour. The duration of the tour is 8 hours, and you have the freedom to choose the destinations you want to visit during this period. What makes our experience unique is that our Guide does not receive commissions from stores, attractions or restaurants, ensuring that you only explore what interests you. The Guide will contact you to define the order of visits, ideal times and share insights about each location. Or, if you prefer, you can simply relax and leave everything in the Guide's hands, making the most of the tour. Tickets to attractions are not included, as the tour is personalized, giving freedom of choice for visits. Locations mentioned here are just suggestions and cannot necessarily be visited in just 8 hours.

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Private and Customizable Tour in Rio de Janeiro

6 to 9 hoursFree Cancellation

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Meet the backstage of the largest show on Earth in an exclusive Samba City experience. During the guided tour, you will have the opportunity to explore the place where the leading Samba Schools of Rio de Janeiro create the impressive allegorical cars and fantasies that enchant millions of people at the Carioca Carnival. Discover the history of samba, the grandiosity of the parades and all the work done throughout the year to turn creativity into spectacle. The tour stands out for offering a comfortable, organized and personalized experience, with private round-trip transport included, in addition to tickets for the visit. A unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of Rio de Janeiro and experience the magic and passion that move the Carnival. Transportation to and from Samba City and tickets are included in the price.

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Guided Tour of Samba City with Private Transportation

3 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

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Afro Walking Tour - Samba and resistance (Pedra do Sal)

Rio de Janeiro is much-loved by travelers for its sun, sand, and samba, but this tour takes you deeper into the city’s history and culture. Your guide will take you to the most important places in the city’s history of civil rights and immerse you in Afro-Brazilian culture and traditions while teaching you about the struggle for the abolition of slavery in Brazil. The tour concludes at a samba school where you will learn about the engaging dance form’s history of resistance.

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Afro Walking Tour - Samba and resistance (Pedra do Sal)

4 hoursFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

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Afro-Brazilian History & Immersion Walking Tour

The “‌Little Africa” tour is historically highlighted as a territory of sensitive memory, struggle and resistance of the black people in Brazil. Despite this, the city is listed as the biggest slave harbor in the history of mankind. This former harbor is an archaeological site listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage because it’s the most important physical trade of the arrival of African slaves on the America continent. It’s also a territory where the black people used to live, struggle and work. By this harbor nearly 1 million Africans disembarked bringing their values, culture and history.

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Afro-Brazilian History & Immersion Walking Tour

4 to 5 hoursFree Cancellation

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The Rio de Janeiro Carnival is undoubtedly famous throughout the world, but not everyone really knows the history of what is considered the greatest show on the planet. The history of the carnival is really interesting and is still alive today because it mixes with the history of Brazil and the city of Rio, with the phenomenon of slavery, with the culture, religion, music and folklore of African origin. In this tour of approximately 7 hours we want to tell you a little about all this and to do so we will start from an area of the city center known as "Little Africa" where the history, culture and art of those who have unfortunately had to suffer the tragedy of slavery gave life to the wonderful spectacle of the Carioca carnival. We will then visit the Samba Museum (it will be a real experience!) and then we will go to know the place where the allegorical floats and costumes of the Rio Carnival are made. There will be no shortage of surprises on this unforgettable day!

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Experience the magic of the Rio Carnival all year round!

7 hoursFree Cancellation

5% savings

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$172$163

Price varies by group size

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Private Rio Tour: Christ & Sugarloaf with a Local Expert

7 to 8 hoursFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

Member Pricing

This full-day itinerary includes private tours of Maracanã stadium and the Sambadrome parade venue, so visitors to Rio can get an introduction to two Brazilian cultural institutions: football and Carnival. With hotel transport and a personal guide on hand to share information and history, you’ll gain a better understanding of the Cariocas (Rio’s residents) than going alone. You’ll even have a chance to order the national dish and drink (own expense).

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Private Passion & Culture Fun: Football, Carnival Tour and More!

7 to 8 hoursFree Cancellation

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Carnival at Backstage Plus Dance and Instrument Workshops: Private Group Package

3 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

Member Pricing

What sets this tour apart? ✔ We are your private Rio concierge and local expert, available before and during your stay ✔ 24/7 WhatsApp support for questions, recommendations, and assistance ✔ 100% tailor-made itinerary, designed around your interests, pace, and priorities ✔ Private guide, driver, and comfortable vehicle for both days ✔ We handle the logistics, transportation, timing, restaurant reservations, and local recommendations, so you can relax and enjoy Rio ✔ Help choosing the best area and hotel for your stay ✔ A personalized experience combining Rio’s iconic landmarks, nature, culture, and local life *Think of me as your private concierge in Rio. As a boutique travel agency focused on personalized experiences, we take care of the details before and during your trip, so you can simply relax and enjoy Rio. From hotel and restaurant recommendations to itinerary adjustments and WhatsApp support, you’re never on your own in Rio.*

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2-Day Private Rio Tour: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf & More

2 daysFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

What are people saying about Samba City (Cidade do Samba)

Carnaval Party Tour and Samba Class in Rio with Transfer

Melanie_H, Oct 2025

Brilliant fun & interesting

Super fun but also really interesting learning about Rio Carnaval. The pick up made things really easy and the lovely lady who took us shared so much extra information about Rio and buildings on the way there and back it was amazing.

Carnival Backstage Tour - Visit a traditional Samba School

Orlaith_B, Aug 2025

Fun experience

A fun day learning about Carnaval. We saw the warehouse, heard about the samba school and their winning year, tried on costumes, learned a little samba and just had a fun time understanding the history and fun (and competition) of this Rio Institution. Highly recommend.

Carnaval Experience - Behind the Scenes of Rios Carnival in the City of Samba

Marilyn_A, Jun 2025

It was very fun and...

It was very fun and informative. The tour guide and the crew were very enthusiastic and all out fun. It was fantastic experience. Thank you!

Carnaval Experience - Behind the Scenes of Rios Carnival in the City of Samba

Tonda_P, May 2025

Do this!

It was informative and beautiful. The guides were helpful and know the history of carnival. The costumes and dancing were a highlight.

Carnaval Experience - Behind the Scenes of Rios Carnival in the City of Samba

Antoinette_G, Apr 2025

Excursion not to be missed while in Brazil

We had a great time at the Carnival Experience. The guide Priscilla was an amazing tour guide She translated tool pictures and watched our belongins while we changed our clothes. I learned so .much about how Carnival is arranged and the history. The Gentleman at the Samba school was also amazing. This is an excursion not to be missed