Last updated on December 18, 2023.

Santa Teresa is the bohemian quarter of Rio de Janeiro. With some gorgeous views of the city and plenty of interesting places to visit, it’s one area that can’t be missed. The famous stairway, Escadaria Selarón, leads from Lapa up to the Santa Teresa neighborhood.
Santa Teresa is a wonderful place to wander around for a few hours. This hilly area does not feel like the rest of Rio de Janeiro at all. I felt transported to another world and back in time. It’s definitely one of the most unique neighborhoods in the world.

Santa Teresa in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Santa Teresa

The quiet and friendly neighborhood is full of artists. You’ll find people working on sculptures, street art, and some galleries selling antiques and crafts.

An artist in Santa Teresa in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
An artist
A mural in Santa Teresa in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Mural

 

Architecture

Some of the most beautiful mansions in Rio are located in the neighborhood. Many are inspired by French architecture and have been turned into boutique hotels capitalizing on the incredible views of Rio from the neighborhood.

Santa Teresa in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Santa Teresa
Mansion in Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Mansion
Mansion in Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Mansion
View from Santa Teresa in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
One of the views of Rio

 

Churches

It also holds an oddity in Rio de Janeiro. The Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Martyr Zenaide (Igreja Ortodoxa Russa de Santa Mártir Zenaide), serves a tiny Russian community. There are also a few more churches of different denominations scattered throughout the neighborhood, including the Santa Teresa Convent (Convento Santa Teresa) at the top of Escadaria Selarón.

Igreja Ortodoxa Russa de Santa Mártir Zenaide in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Martyr Zenaide
Igreja São Paulo Apóstolo Episcopal Anglicana in Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
St. Paul the Apostle Episcopal Anglican Church

 

Armazém São Thiago

Before finishing up in the neighborhood, we made a stop at Armazém São Thiago, a restaurant and bar founded in 1919 and set in an old warehouse. We tried some cachaça, a traditional Brazilian liquor made of fermented sugar cane juice. It’s the prime ingredient in a caipirinha. We also stopped at a local shop to try some pão de queijo (cheese bread).

Armazém São Thiago in Santa Teresa in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Armazém São Thiago
Armazém São Thiago in Santa Teresa in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Inside Armazém São Thiago
Armazém São Thiago in Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Inside Armazém São Thiago
Getting pão de queijo in Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Getting pão de queijo

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

1 Comment

  1. Fantastic post, the range of pictures, such an interesting change from the usual images we are fed of the beach etc.

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