An important square to visit in Rio de Janeiro’s city center is Cinelândia. The official name of the square is Floriano Peixoto Square (Praça Floriano Peixoto), named after a Brazilian soldier and politician who has a monument dedicated to him in the center of the square.
15 November Square (Praça XV de Novembro) is a historic square in Rio de Janeiro’s city center. The center of imperial life once revolved around it and there are several important buildings nearby. The monument in the center is dedicated to João VI of Portugal.
The Candelária Church (Nossa Senhora da Candelária) is one of the most beautiful churches in Brazil. It sits on Pius X Square (Praça Pio X) in Rio de Janeiro’s city center and was built starting in 1775.
As a football fan, I’ve been on a lot of stadium tours, but none have given me chills like I had walking onto the field at Maracanã Stadium (Estádio do Maracanã). This historic stadium in football-crazy Rio de Janeiro is the Mecca of football. I’ve been on BETTER stadium tours in more beautiful stadiums, but none in a place as significant as Maracanã.
“Don’t go to a favela, they’re too dangerous”. “Favelas are full of crime and drugs”. “Didn’t you see City of God? The people in the favela will murder you!”
On the south end of Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro is Fort Copacabana (Forte de Copacabana). It’s a working military fort open to visitors.
Fort Duque de Caxias (Forte Duque de Caxias), a working military base in the Leme area of Rio de Janeiro, is open to visitors.
Leme is a small stretch of beach to the east of Copacabana, at Avenida Princes Isabel. It’s a much quieter beach than Copacabana, and there’s much less action.
Corcovado might not sound familiar, but Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) should. Christ the Redeemer is Rio de Janeiro’s iconic 30-meter-tall statue of Christ with arms outstretched. It was erected in 1931. The mountain it sits on is named Corcovado and is part of Tijuca National Park (Parque Nacional da Tijuca), which lies within the UNESCO World Heritage listing for Rio.
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.