Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro wraps around mountains and bays, with famous beaches, a historic centre and port, hillside neighbourhoods and the Tijuca rainforest all within the city.

Rio de Janeiro: From the Past to the Present: A Historical Walking Tour of Rio
Featured walk: From the Past to the Present: A Historical Walking Tour of Rio · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Rio de Janeiro was Brazil's capital until 1960 and remains its most famous city. Its setting between mountains and sea is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Copacabana and Ipanema have beachfront promenades made for walking. The historic centre, the port's Little Africa and the hills of Santa Teresa show other sides of the city.

What makes Rio de Janeiro distinctive

  • Christ the Redeemer above the city
  • Copacabana and Ipanema beaches
  • Pedra do Sal, the birthplace of samba
  • Rainforest trails in Tijuca National Park

Walking tours in Rio de Janeiro

Hand-picked guided walks in Rio de Janeiro, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

Advertising disclosure: tour links go to Viator. If you book through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not affect the price you pay or which tours we choose.

Prices are Viator's lowest "from" price per person, converted to pounds and checked on 28 October 2026. The booking page shows the current price in your currency.

By theme: Food tours in Rio de Janeiro · History walks in Rio de Janeiro

Compare with other cities: Food tours · History walks · Night and ghost tours

More walking tours on GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide sells many of the same walks and some that Viator doesn't. Their list for Rio de Janeiro is chosen and ranked by GetYourGuide, not by us.

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Main sights

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Copacabana

    The famous beach and its busy streets.

  • Ipanema and Leblon

    Beaches, shops and restaurants.

  • Santa Teresa

    A hillside district of old mansions, artists and views.

  • Centro and the port

    Colonial churches, museums and Little Africa.

Free self-guided walk

Historic centre, from Praça XV to Lapa

A free self-guided walk through Rio's historic centre, from Praça XV and the Imperial Palace past the Theatro Municipal to the Lapa arches and the Selarón Steps.

2.2 km · 5 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. Beachfront

    From Copacabana around the Arpoador rock to Ipanema.

  2. Historic centre

    From Praça XV and the Imperial Palace to the Theatro Municipal.

  3. Lapa and Santa Teresa

    Under the Lapa arches, up the Selarón Steps and into Santa Teresa.

Practical walking notes

  • Safety

    Take only what you need, keep your phone out of sight on the beach, and use guides for favelas and trails.

  • Heat

    Summers are hot and humid; walk early or late.

  • Hills

    Santa Teresa and the hiking trails are steep.

When to visit

  • Carnival

    February or March, the city's biggest event, with street parties everywhere.

  • May to October

    Drier and cooler, good for walking and hiking.

  • New Year

    Huge celebrations on Copacabana beach.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By air

    Galeão International Airport is about 45 minutes to an hour from Copacabana by road; Santos Dumont handles domestic flights near the centre.

Local transport

  • Metro and taxis

    The metro links the centre, Copacabana and Ipanema; ride-hailing apps are widely used.

Questions travellers ask about Rio de Janeiro

Is it safe to walk in Rio?

Most visitors walk the beachfront and main districts without trouble. Take normal care, and follow local advice about specific areas.

How many days do I need in Rio?

Four days covers the beaches, the main viewpoints, the centre and a hike.

Can you visit a favela safely?

Many visitors do so with tours led by residents, who know the area.

Rio de Janeiro: From the Past to the Present: A Historical Walking Tour of Rio
Country overview

Brazil

Beaches, forest trails and the birthplace of samba

Explore destinations

Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-28. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.