Things to do in  Southeast Brazil

Keeping a watchful eye over the people of Rio de Janeiro, the Christ the Redeemer Statue (Cristo Redentor) sits atop Corcovado Mountain some 2,300 feet (700 meters) up. One of the New 7 Wonders of the World, and nearly a century old, this impressive statue of Jesus Christ is often described as the most iconic attraction in Brazil. It boasts panoramic views of the city below.

Decorated with more than 2,000 tiles in the bright colors of the Brazilian flag, the Selarón Steps (Escadaria Selarón) is one of Rio de Janeiro's most vibrant and striking landmarks, marking the boundary between the Lapa and Santa Teresa neighborhoods. The stairs shot to fame when they starred in the music video for Beautiful by Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams, so expect to share them with plenty of other people.

It’s easy to see why Rio de Janeiro is nicknamed the “Marvelous City” when you’re gazing down at it from the heights of Sugarloaf Mountain (Pao de Açúcar). From its soaring 1,300-foot (396-meter) summit, the city unfolds around you, with views of Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, the Tijuca Forest, and the iconic Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) statue standing tall atop Corcovado Mountain to the west.

Close to the center of Rio de Janeiro, the cobbled district of Santa Teresa has long been a visitor favorite. Though it started out as an upper-class neighborhood, it has now become an artistic enclave that’s famous for its bohemian cafes and galleries.

Tall and cone-shaped, the modernist Rio de Janeiro Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de Sao Sebastiao) doesn’t look like a typical church. The unusual design was constructed between 1964 and 1979 by architect Edgar Fonseca. One of Rio’s most important religious structures, it is dedicated to St. Sebastian, the city’s patron saint.

Before the 19th century, Rio de Janeiro was surrounded by Atlantic rainforest. Today, all that remains is the 15-square-mile (39-square-kilometer) jungle known as Tijuca National Park (Parque Nacional da Tijuca). Studded with tropical trees knotted together by vines, the world’s largest urban forest is home to howler monkeys, more than 200 bird species, waterfalls, and the iconic Christ the Redeemer Statue atop Corcovado Mountain.

Rio de Janeiro’s legendary Copacabana Beach evokes images of white-sand shores, sun-kissed volleyball players, tourists sipping agua de coco out of bright green coconuts, and bikini-clad revelers partying long into the night. For the most part, that’s pretty accurate. Add in a touch of local flavor and a dramatic city-to-mountain backdrop, and it becomes obvious why this is one of the world’s most famous beaches.

Although less famous than its neighbor Copacabana Beach, Ipanema holds its own with quiet charm, and it does so without skimping on any of the white sands, blue waters, or local character that give Rio de Janeiro’s beaches their claim to fame.

Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome (Sambadrome Marques de Sapucaí)—also known as Sambodromo or Passarela do Samba Darcy Ribeiro—was designed and built by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer in 1984. Established to host the city’s enormous Carnival celebration every year, the stadium features a 2,300-foot (700-meter) runway and seats 90,000 spectators.

The gigantic Maracanã Stadium (Estádio do Maracanã) is one of the most iconic football (soccer) arenas in South America. The site holds the record for the largest attendance at a FIFA World Cup final, with almost 200,000 spectators watching Uruguay defeat Brazil in 1950. Since hosting the World Cup final again in 2014 and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the stadium is now a historic site that still hosts football matches and events.

One of Rio de Janeiro’s loveliest beaches, São Conrado Beach (Praia de São Conrado) enjoys the same white sand, big waves, and spectacular scenery as Ipanema, but has far fewer crowds. In the high-end neighborhood of the same name—one of the most expensive in the city—São Conrado offers prime waterfront recreation and relaxation.

Miles of white-sand beaches, aquamarine waters, and a backdrop of forested mountains help to make Angra dos Reis, or Bay of Kings, one of the top attractions of Brazil’s Costa Verde (Green Coast). Come to chill out, soak up the sun, and escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Reigning supreme over the center of Sao Paulo, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption (Sé Cathedral) is one of the largest neo-Gothic structures in the world. The 12,000-pipe organ is among the biggest in South America and the church houses a vast number of religious artworks.

Situated on Guanabara Bay, just a few miles opposite Rio de Janeiro, Niteroi offers a mesmerizing blend of natural beauty and cultural attractions. Nicknamed “The Smile City,” it fulfills expectations with its unrivaled viewpoints, vibrant art scene, and landmarks like the Contemporary Art Museum.

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.