Top Rio de Janeiro Historical Tours

Explore the best of Rio de Janeiro's Historical Center, the city's oldest neighborhood—and discover sights and stories you'd otherwise miss—on this guided walking tour. Pick between morning and afternoon start times, and meet your guide and group in the neighborhood. Then, set off to discover a wide range of highlights, from the Selaron Steps and the Metropolitan Cathedral to the Municipal Theater and much more.

Get an in-depth local experience with this walking tour of one of Rio's "favelas," Rocinha. Follow your resident guide through the slum to get an insider's perspective on daily life and learn about the challenges these communities face. Upgrade your experience to a 2-day tour that includes a visit to Tijuca Forest.

Discover Rio de Janeiro from its history, architecture and cultural influences that have shaped the way you are Carioca. We will walk through squares, churches and historic sites, with the possibility of a break for a snack or coffee at the traditional Colombo Confectionery (not included in the tour price).

Get a glimpse into local life in Rio de Janeiro during a favela tour that reveals a different side of the Marvelous City. In an intimate group limited to 12 travelers, you’ll explore two of the largest favelas in Rio, and benefit from the local insight of a guide as you learn more about living conditions in the city.

Explore two of Rio’s neighborhoods—the Historic Center and the artsy district of Santa Teresa—in one morning or afternoon on this compact tour. Start by admiring the early colorful buildings and 19th-century tramline of Santa Teresa, then head to the Historic Center to visit sites such as Cinelandia, the Arcos da Lapa, Teles Arches, and Praça XV.

Visit some of the most avoided areas of Rio de Janeiro with a guide who knows the areas well and knows how to keep you safe during this Rio de Janeiro Rocinha Favela Walking Tour. You’ll visit a few favelas within just a few hours as your guide tells you about the communities and their culture. Follow paths locals walk every day to see the slums and take in hilltop views of the city.

Visitors will travel back in time on this tour of downtown Rio. The tour will visit the cultural and historical highlights of Rio, including the Cinelandia Square which is home to many of the political buildings of Rio; and Praia Quinze de Novembro, a square in the historical centre of Rio and surrounded by many historically significant buildings.

Escape the crowds and discover a different side of Rio de Janeiro on an unforgettable adventure through Tijuca National Park, home to the world's largest urban reforested rainforest. Your experience begins with convenient hotel pickup before heading into the heart of the Tijuca Rainforest. Accompanied by an experienced bilingual guide, you'll explore scenic jungle trails, hidden caves, crystal-clear waterfalls, and breathtaking viewpoints while learning about the unique ecosystem that makes this park one of Rio's greatest natural treasures. Along the way, keep an eye out for local wildlife, including toucans, monkeys, coatis, butterflies, and many other species that call the rainforest home. They might appear to welcome you! Unlike traditional city tours, this experience takes you beyond Rio's famous landmarks and into the wild heart of the city, offering an authentic connection with nature and one of the most diverse environments in Brazil.

As one of Rio de Janeiro’s most iconic attractions, Christ the Redeemer attracts lengthy lines. Save time and prevent hassle by prebooking skip-the-line tickets, which allow you to board the next available train to the summit of Corcovado, where the statue is located. Your return ticket is valid on any train, so spend as much time as you like at the top, enjoying panoramic vistas of Rio and capturing photographs of the landmark.

When renting a car seems like such a difficult thing to do, opt for this Christ the Redeemer, Selaron Steps, and Santa Teresa Tour from Rio de Janeiro that provides pickup, drop-off, and transport in between sights. This half-day tour takes you to three of the area’s most popular attractions, including the Christ the Redeemer statue on top of Corcovado Mountain.

Official tour guides, driving brand new cars and speaking your language, visiting Christ the Redeemer, Santa Teresa and Selaron steps. Our company works with private transfers and tours since 2012. Our team is very flexible. You can spend more time in one attraction or skip one that you dont want to visit. As the driver/vehicles stays with you for 5 hours, you can include attractions on the way that are interesting for you. The price is per vehicle and we can fit 4 passengers from your group. For example, if you dont want to stop in Santa Tereza, but preffer to stay longer visitng the Statue, we can do it. Please give us a chance to serve you!

Swap the beaches and bustle of Rio for a deep dive into the fascinating imperial history of Brazil on a small-group tour to Petrópolis from Rio de Janeiro. The summer residence of Brazil’s last emperor, Petrópolis is filled with historical treasures and this full-day tour allows you to check off the most-important landmarks,as well as a chocolate store and a 19th-century brewery.

Delve deeper into the history of Little Africa in Rio de Janeiro with this insightful and informative walking tour around the city’s Saúde neighborhood. Once the largest African slave market in the world, Rio was the first port of call for millions of slaves arriving in Brazil. From carnival to samba, and food to music and religion to architecture, this guided walking tour shows how their heritage and legacy are still alive in Rio today.

Save yourself the hassle of locating different sites or missing the deeper story behind them on this small-group Jewish heritage tour of Rio de Janeiro. With round-trip transport from select hotels and a flexible, locally guided itinerary, explore key landmarks including Itzhak Rabin Park, the Jewish Museum, the Grand Temple, and historic synagogues across Copacabana and Leblon.

Reach the iconic Christ the Redeemer Statue (Cristo Redentor) without having to break a sweat on a Rio de Janeiro sightseeing tour that transports you to the top of Corcovado Hill in air-conditioned comfort—so you don’t have to wait for the train. Enjoy free time at the gift shop and plenty of time to take photos at one of the New7Wonders of the World.

See Rio's most important sights, including Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain, during this comprehensive 5-hour guided tour. Visit Sao Conrado beach, a popular landing spot for hang gliders taking off from Pedra Bonita, to watch the gravity-defying adventurers soar high above the beach. Travel through Tijuca National Park's rainforest to the Christ the Redeemer statue, enjoying spectacular views over the city. Descend into the Santa Teresa neighborhood to visit the Escadaria Selaron and have lunch (own expense). Choose to return to your hotel or be dropped off at Sugar Loaf Mountain to view the sunset.

Enjoy a flexible, fully customized way to experience Rio de Janeiro—and opt to visit the sights that interest you most—on this private, full-day sightseeing tour. Traveling aboard a private vehicle makes getting around seamless. Choose to stop at major landmarks including Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf Mountain, and the Selaron Steps (admission tickets own expense). You can also explore the historic city center, visit Tijuca Forest, or discover bohemian Santa Teresa.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Maracanã Stadium during this guided tour. Explore the stadium, renovated for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, check out the locker rooms. Sit on the team bench where greats like Pele rested after he scored his thousandth goal. Listen as your guide tells tales of legendary matches like Brazil's devastating loss in the 1950 World Cup. Round-trip climate-controlled transportation from most Rio hotels is included. (if option is selected)

Named after the last Emperor of Brazil, Pedro II, Petrópolis was the favored summer residence for Brazil’s emperors and elites in the 19th-century. A great way to delve deeper into Brazil’s history, this full-day group tour from Rio offers visitors the chance to discover this fascinating city for themselves, with guided sightseeing trips of the old imperial palace—which is now a museum—and many other historical sights, including a behind-the-scenes tour of Brazil’s first brewery.

Sail along Guanabara Bay just as the sun is setting below the horizon and experience Rio when it starts to come to life. This small-group sailing adventure is a perfect way to relax and see the sites such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Rio-Niteroi Bridge. Relax with complimentary drinks and light snacks while you sail.

Save hours trying to navigate between Rio de Janeiro's top sights with an express tour that seamlessly transports you from spot to spot—a welcome break from the city's heat and humidity. In just a few hours, check off top attractions, such as Christ the Redeemer, the Selaron Steps, Arcos da Lapa, and the Maracana Stadium—all while a guide fills you in on the area's history and culture.

Explore the center and seaport areas, filled with history of the city and the population of Brazil. In the 'Little Africa' region, you will hear the history of slavery from the point of view of those who suffered from the Atlantic trade and their descendants, on racial issues from Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil as well as the impact and legacy of Afro culture on national identity.

We're a specialized incoming travel operator in Rio de Janeiro, offering the most immersive Afrotourism experiences that bring to light key sites of Black history, a legacy once erased and silenced. Our tours provide a decolonial narrative, visiting essential places like Valongo Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage Menu publisher-the largest slave port in the Americas, and Pedra do Sal, the birthplace of Samba. From this point, the Black community reshaped their identity, profoundly influencing Brazil's national culture and values. What you'll experience? Afro-Brazilian Heritage | Afro-Brazilian Art | Afro Cuisine | Black Heritage Sites | Black Cultural Icons Little Africa is part of UNESCO's Global African Diaspora Project. Why choose us? - Black owned company - Trusted partner for Embratur and Black Travel Summit - Specialists in international Black events - Small groups for meaningful connections Ideal for travelers seeking authentic Afro-Brazilian culture. Don’t wait - book your tour today!