Southeast Brazil attractions

When Portuguese sailors entered Guanabara Bay in January 1502, they spotted Pedra da Gavea and thought its shape resembled the topsail of a ship, which gave the mountain its name. The granite peak rises 2,769 feet (844 meters above sea level and plummets almost directly down toward the sea from within Tijuca National Park.

Approximately half the size of neighboring Sugar Loaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the 720-foot (219-meters) Morro da Urca is by no means insignificant. In fact, Morro da Urca is a necessary, and often overlooked, stop on the cable car ride up to Sugar Loaf Mountain. Before heading off to the larger hill, wander around the turtle-shaped mound for spectacular views of Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, downtown Rio, Christ the Redeemer, and Sugar Loaf itself.

The Vista Chinesa (Chinese View) is one of the most striking monuments of the Tijuca Forest, erected in 1903 to honor Rio’s Chinese immigrants. The Chinese-style pavilion perched atop Alto da Boa Vista, some 1,247 feet (380 meters) above the city below, offers a stellar view away from the masses of Sugar Loaf and Corcovado.

Fronting one of Rio de Janeiro’s wealthiest and most exclusive neighborhoods, Leblon Beach (Praia do Leblon) is one of the city’s cleanest and safest beaches and a slightly quieter alternative to Ipanema. Separated from Ipanema by a canal, the beach is particularly popular with families, as it offers a play area with beach toys and playground equipment.

Situated at the heart of Zona Sul in the shadow of Corcovado, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon serves as a recreational area and beauty spot for local residents. It boasts more than 4 miles (7 kilometers) of bike and jogging trails, boathouses for rowing, and sometimes hosts live music.

Pouring down a hillside in Rio’s South Zone, the 1-square-mile (2.6-square-kilometer) Rocinha favela is crammed with a colorful maze of cement buildings, tin roofs, and upwards of 180,000 residents living in challenging socioeconomic conditions. The district is considered the largest favela in Brazil, complete with a culture and history of its own, and has entered a period of renaissance, with urban gardens, community art projects, and educational services revitalizing the neighborhood little by little.

Mirante Dona Marta offers some of the best views of Rio de Janeiro, usually with smaller crowds than the city’s better-known viewpoints. From its lookout point, you can take in Rio’s most recognizable landmarks, including the Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugarloaf Mountain, Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers), Maracanã Stadium, and Pedra da Gavea.

As one of the most expensive strips of real estate in Latin America, Avenida Paulista is Sao Paulo’s most famous thoroughfare. What started out as a residential street lined with neoclassical mansions is today a modern hub of business, culture, and entertainment.

Nestled in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, Floriano Peixoto Square, commonly known as Cinelandia, is a historic public space and meeting point surrounded by architectural gems like the Municipal Theater and National Library. Its landmarks reflect Rio’s 20th-century modernization and play a central role in Brazil's cultural life.

Situated grandly atop downtown São Paulo’s Vale do Anhangabaú like a concrete wedding cake, the century-old Theatro Municipal still shines as an example of the city’s place at the vanguard of art in Latin America. Opened in 1911, the ornate showplace—styled in the tradition of the great European opera houses—has welcomed Maria Callas, Isadora Duncan, Duke Ellington, and Mikhail Baryshnikov to its stage.

Designed by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, Ibirapuera Park is Sao Paulo’s answer to New York’s Central Park. As the largest park in the city center, Ibirapuera encompasses 13 playing courts, jogging and cycle paths, a lake, several modernist buildings, and two of Sao Paulo’s most significant art galleries.

Barra da Tijuca (Barra) is one of Rio de Janeiro’s newest neighborhoods. It earned its nickname as the Brazilian Miami for its gorgeous sandy beaches and palm-fringed boulevards, which are flanked by mega malls and glass-fronted skyscrapers.

Housed in an ultra-modern structure designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, Rio’s Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Amanhã) uses interactive exhibits and state-of-the-art simulators to explore the ecology, sustainability, and the future of our planet.

Whether you're a nature enthusiast, fitness lover, or seeking a tranquil escape, Rio de Janeiro’s Flamengo Park (Aterro do Flamengo) is the place to be. Spanning a long stretch of Guanabara Bay, the sprawling urban green space has 300 acres (121 hectares) to enjoy and explore.

Home to the world’s largest Japanese population outside of Japan, the district of Liberdade was settled in the early to mid-twentieth century by Japanese immigrants brought to Brazil to work in the coffee plantations around Sao Paulo. Today, it attracts foodies and Paulistano manga and anime enthusiasts, who can be seen dressed up in cosplay.

One of São Paulo’s most important religious buildings, the Monastery of São Bento (Mosteiro de São Bento) was established in 1598. Currently housed in a dramatic Gothic-style building that was consecrated in 1922, the working monastery has nearly 50 resident monks, and hosts regular masses and other public events—and even a popular bakery.

Boasting incredible views of Ipanema Beach and across the city, the trail to the summit of Morro Dois Irmaos is one of the best hikes in Rio de Janeiro. Named for its double peaks, Morro Dois Irmaos translates to the “Hill of Two Brothers,” and hiking to the top is a great way to get a feel for the city’s geography.

A serene, verdant oasis in the midst of bustling Rio de Janeiro, the city’s Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico) offers a chance to see and learn about both Amazonian and imported plants. There are over 6,500 species of plant contained in the 133-acre (54-hectare) plot, as well as an important research facility and botanical library.

A small beach that earned its name for the russet tint of its sand, Rio de Janeiro’s Red Beach (Praia Vermelha) is an under-the-radar but beautiful place for swimming, sunbathing, and admiring spectacular waterfront views. Located in the city’s Urca neighborhood, the beach is just a short trip from Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar).

As the birthplace of Sao Paulo, Pateo do Collegio Church is a sacred site that holds profound significance, dating back to 1554. With its modest facade, the Jesuit church invites visitors to explore its extraordinary interior, which presents centuries-old iconography, indigenous artwork, and information on the city’s history.

Popular in summer when the coast became hot and muggy, Petrópolis was the mountain getaway for Brazil’s imperial court. Nestled about 3,000 feet (914 meters) high in the Serra dos Órgãos range, the city still serves as a heat-beating retreat for the nearby residents of Rio de Janeiro.

Pedra Bonita, a breathtaking granite peak situated in Rio de Janeiro’s lush Tijuca National Park, offers a mesmerizing escape into nature for paragliders and hikers alike. Translating to "Beautiful Rock," gentle inclines and strategically placed steps make Pedra Bonita a popular destination for casual hikers and people short on time.

The stunning Theatro Municipal (Municipal Theater) is intricately designed, with golden rooftop statues and stately neoclassical columns that buttress the facade. Inside, grand spectator suites and elegant balconies offer superb views of the stage where Sarah Bernhardt, Maria Callas, and Igor Stravinsky once captivated audiences.

Flanked by the looming peaks of Sugarloaf Mountain and Papagaio Peak and dotted with over 100 islands, Guanabara Bay provides a dramatic backdrop to the city of Rio de Janeiro. Brazil’s second-largest bay, Guanabara is home to the cities of Niteroi and São Gonçalo, the Port of Rio de Janeiro, and Rio’s two airports.

Not very well known by tourists, Grumari Beach offers an escape from the often busy beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro. This stretch of nearly two miles (three km of white and red sand is on a nature reserve, and its consistent waves attract surfers from nearby Prainha.

Nestled at the foot of Corcovado Mountain, the compact Parque Lage is the former residence of rich industrialist Enrique Large and singer Gabriella Besanzoni. Surrounded by Atlantic rain forest that’s replete with monkeys and birds, it’s easy to see why the couple decided to settle in this oasis.

The swirling modern architecture of the Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum (MAC) looms over Boa Viagem Beach and Guanabara Bay. Inside you can find paintings, sculptures, and installations from Brazil and around the world—plus panoramic windows with views of the city skyline, Guanabara Bay, and Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Unassuming from the outside, the simple facade of downtown Rio de Janeiro’s Sao Bento Monastery (Mosteiro de Sao Bento) belies its richly decorated and gold leaf-gilded baroque interiors. Built in 1671, it is one of Brazil’s most important monuments of colonial art. Among its treasures are a filigreed altar and rococo wooden carvings.

The city of Petrópolis (also known as the Imperial City) was founded upon royal opulence and wealth, and this is reflected in the lavish design of the city’s Crystal Palace (Palacio de Cristal). The ornate iron-and-glass structure was originally used as a hothouse for growing orchids and is now a venue for various cultural events.

Tucked away near the base of the iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain and overlooking the Guanabara Bay lies the intimate neighborhood of Urca. Known for its Brazilian celebrity sightings, restaurant scene, art deco and Spanish colonial-style homes, and affluent beach vibes, this tiny region is hidden in plain sight, and a great spot for a quiet beach day.