Often featuring in the tops of the most beautiful cities in the world, Rio has no shortage of distinctive places to visit. From the beautiful nature to the impressive architecture, this city has it all. Once you’ve crossed these off your list, discover what lies around the city.
Here are our favourite day trips from Rio de Janeiro. Most places require a bit of driving, so find a ride and start exploring.
Arraial do Cabo
Dreaming of deserted beaches? At Arraial do Cabo you’ll find endless beaches with hardly no visitors in sight
Every first-time visitor to Rio is keen to see the famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. Although the city beaches are fantastic in their own way, if you want endless smooth white sand all to yourself, then you are going to have to go a little further afield.
Arraial do Cabo is a 2.5 hour drive east of Rio. The journey follows a narrow isthmus that separates inland lagoons from mile after mile of sugar-white sand. Visitors can take their pick from dozens of nearly deserted beaches in what some call the ‘Brazilian Caribbean’.
Marine wildlife and countless shipwrecks also make this a popular place for scuba diving.
Address: Arraial do Cabo
Telephone: n/a
Journey time from central Rio: 2.5 hours by car
Petropolis Imperial Museum
The opulent and majestic Imperial Museum is one of the must-do day trips from Rio de Janeiro
Petropolis, located north of Rio, is also known as The Imperial City as it was once the summer home of Emperor Dom Pedro II. Being more than 800m above sea level means that Petropolis enjoys a significantly cooler climate than coastal Rio, making this an excellent day trip to escape the summer heat.
The centrepiece of the city is the emperor’s summer palace, today called the Imperial Museum. This massive building is packed with artefacts and works of art, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in Brazilian history. Feast your eyes on the Brazilian crown jewels and the golden quill used to sign the slavery abolition bill in 1888, making Brazil the last nation in the Western Hemisphere to abolish slavery.
Address: Rua da Imperatriz, 220 – Centro, Petrópolis
Telephone: +55 (24) 2233 0300
Journey time from central Rio: 1.5 hours by car
Casa Stefan Zweig
Take a day trip to Casa Stefan Zweig and learn about the Austrian writer’s tormented life © Andreas Maislinger
Stefan Zweig was one of the world’s most popular writers during the 1920-30s. With the rise of the Nazis in the 1930s, Zweig fled his native Austria and moved into this small house in Petropolis. In 1942, growing more and more depressed about the political situation and destruction in Europe, Zweig and his wife committed suicide.
Today their house has become a fascinating museum, commemorating Zweig’s contributions to the world of literature. Zweig’s final novel before his death was called “Chess Story” and to reflect this, there is a giant chess board, complete with giant pieces, on the grounds.
Address: Rua Gonçalves Dias, 34 – Valparaíso, Petrópolis
Telephone: +55 (24) 2245 4316
Journey time from central Rio: 1.5 hours by car
Read more: 15 facts you probably didn’t know about Rio
Sítio Roberto Burle Marx
With its wide-ranging tropical gardens, Sítio Roberto Burle Marx makes for a serene day trip from Rio de Janeiro
Roberto Burle Marx was Brazil’s most famous landscape architect. He designed the sprawling Aterro da Flamengo park and the iconic black and white wavy sidewalks that run alongside Rio’s most famous beaches.
Although technically still within the bounds of the city, his home lies so far to the west of the city centre that your visit will be a day trip. The expansive grounds include art galleries, pools, waterfalls and a huge collection of tropical plants.
Visits must be arranged and confirmed in advance.
Address: Estrada Roberto Burle Marx, 2019 – Barra de Guaratiba
Telephone: +55 (21) 2410 1412
Journey time from central Rio: 1-1.5 hours by car
Niterói Contemporary Art Museum (MAC)
The magnificent ‘flying saucer’ sits high on a rocky promontory in Niterói
The Niterói Contemporary Art Museum (MAC) is a building like no other. Designed by Brazil’s most famous architect, Oscar Niemeyer, this museum houses many Brazilian works of art produced between 1950-1990. But for many visitors, the star of the show is the building itself. Perched atop cliffs overlooking the Guanabara Bay, the huge tapered disk structure sits atop a narrow base, resembling a flying saucer.
Although Niterói can be reached via the 13km long Niterói Bridge, a far more enjoyable way to arrive is to take the scenic 45 minute ferry ride across the bay from Praça XV.
Address: Mirante da Boa Viagem – Boa Viagem, Niterói
Telephone: +55 (21) 2620 2400
Journey time from central Rio: 1 hours by ferry/car
Read more: 7 museums in Rio
Mercado São Pedro (Niterói fish market)
In the mood for fresh seafood? You won’t be disappointed at Mercado São Pedro in Niterói
Looking for the best seafood in Rio? A 45 minute ferry trip across Guanabara Bay, followed by a short drive and you’re at Niterói’s São Pedro fish market.
A corridor runs through the centre of the lower floor of the market. On either sides are huge, ice-packed stalls displaying fresh seafood of every kind imaginable. Pick out something that looks good and take it up to the second floor where various restaurants will happily cook your ‘catch’.
Address: Rua Visconde do Rio Branco, 55 – Ponta d’Areia, Niterói
Telephone: +55 (21) 2620 3446
Journey time from central Rio: 1 hour by ferry/car
Read more: Best markets in Rio
Distilleries and restaurants in Paraty
A trip to Paraty will include shopping, mouth-watering cuisine and cachaça tasting sessions
You might want to turn this day trip into an overnight one, since you’ll be tempted to taste the delicious locally produced cachaça.
The historic centre of Paraty feels like a million miles from Rio’s packed beaches and high-rise hotels. The charming cobbled streets trace their way through old white-washed buildings that house fantastic restaurants, such as Quintal das Letras and Banana da Terra. You will also find numerous artisan shops, selling everything from jewellery, paintings and ceramics to pillows, hammocks and printed T-shirts.
As well as the restaurants and shopping, Paraty is also known for its excellent cachaça, Brazil’s national spirit, made from sugarcane juice. You can visit some of the alambiques (distilleries) in the area and learn about the distilling process. Three of them are located just a short taxi ride from the town centre: Cachaça Maria Izabel, Cachaça Pedra Branca and Engenho D’Ouro.
Address: Paraty
Telephone: n/a
Journey time from central Rio: 4 hours by car
Island hopping around Angra dos Reis
Plan a day of island hopping around Angra dos Reis and discover, among many places, the Botinas Islands
For most, Angra dos Reis is just the place you go to catch the ferry to nearby tourism hotspot, Ilha Grande. However, this small town has plenty of other attractions to warrant a visit in its own right.
Boat trips can be arranged to countless tiny islands nearby, the highlights being Ilha Cataguás, Ilha Botinas, and Ilha da Gipóia. Boats can also be hired to visit remote beaches such as Praia Brava and Praia Vermelha.
Angra do Reis and its surroundings also boast several excellent seafood restaurants such as Calafate Bistro and Canto das Canoas.
Address: Angra dos Reis
Telephone: n/a
Journey time from central Rio: 2.5-3 hours by car
Serra dos Órgãos National Park
Enjoy the view after a long hike in Serra dos Órgãos National Park
Serra dos Órgãos is an extensive national park which lies close to the city of Teresópolis, situated north of Rio.
The park encompasses dramatic mountains, forest and waterfalls. There are dozens of trails ranging from easy 1km strolls to a challenging 30km trek between Teresópolis and its twin city of Petrópolis.
Because of the cool mountain temperatures, the park is especially popular in the summer months when Rio’s locals feel the need to cool off. No visit would be complete without taking in the view of the impressive Dedo de Deus (God’s Finger) and Agulha do Diabo (Devil’s Needle) mountains.
Address: Av. Rotariana, S/n – Alto, Teresópolis
Telephone: +55 (21) 2152 1111
Journey time from central Rio: 2 hours by car
Praia da Ferradurinha in Búzios
The small and quiet Praia da Ferradurinha is the perfect spot for a relaxing day at the beach
Búzios, located east of Rio, is known to many as the playground of Rio’s rich and famous. There are dozens of beaches to choose from, but you’ll need to choose carefully if you don’t want to end up crowded out by hordes of visitors.
While nearby beaches such as Praia da Ferradura and Praia de Geribá are often packed, the little Praia de Ferradurinha is often much quieter. This is a perfect spot for hiring sea kayaks or stand-up paddle boards, and if you’re lucky you may spot sea turtles swimming nearby.
Address: Rua Margarete, Búzios
Telephone: n/a
Journey time from central Rio: 3 hours by car
