Rio de Janeiro itinerary
7 days, hour by hour · BrazilJune–September
- Days
- 7
- Stops
- 34
- Per day
- ≈ 514 BRL
- First stop
- 07:30
Short answer
The TripWalkers Rio de Janeiro itinerary runs 7 days and lays out 34 stops, hour by hour, for June–September. The first three days:
- Day 1 Corcovado and Santa Teresa
- Day 2 Copacabana, Ipanema and Sugarloaf
- Day 3 Downtown and samba
Staying less? Start with the first days — TripWalkers uses the opening days of this plan for shorter trips too. Days 4, 5 and 6 are day trips out of the city. Food, entry fees and local transport come to about 514 BRL a day (excluding accommodation and flights).
Day 1 · 08:00–15:30
Corcovado and Santa Teresa
Landmark
Christ the Redeemer Corcovado
The cog train from Cosme Velho (timed online tickets, first departure 08:00, about 100 BRL) climbs through Tijuca Forest. The 38 m statue of Christ is best seen in the morning, before the haze.
≈ 100 BRL per person- 1 h · travel, break, free time
Nature
Parque Lage
A mansion with a pool courtyard at the foot of Corcovado, surrounded by forest. It featured in a Snoop Dogg video.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Santa Teresa Bar do Mineiro
In a bohemian hilltop neighbourhood. Try feijoada (Saturday) and bolinho (fried snack balls), and ride the tram (bonde).
≈ 60 BRL per personLandmark
Escadaria Selarón
2,000 tiled steps made by a Chilean artist, leading down to Lapa. There are Turkish tiles among them too.
FreeLandmark
Arcos da Lapa
An aqueduct from 1750. At night there is samba (Fridays at Rio Scenarium).
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Aprazível Santa TeresaA forest restaurant with treehouse-style dining rooms. It has views over Guanabara Bay; book ahead.
- Museu Chácara do CéuA modern art museum in a villa in Santa Teresa, with views.
Day 2 · 07:30–18:30
Copacabana, Ipanema and Sugarloaf
Nature
Copacabana Beach
A 4 km beach with a wave-mosaic pavement. Look for the fishermen at Posto 6, morning joggers and the Copacabana Palace.
FreeNature
Arpoador Rock
A rock between Copacabana and Ipanema, with surfers and views of Dois Irmãos.
FreeNature
Ipanema Beach Posto 9
The beach of The Girl from Ipanema. Buy biscoito Globo (crunchy snack biscuits) and mate from the vendors; Posto 9 has a young crowd.
FreeFood
Garota de Ipanema Bar
The bar where the song was written. Order picanha and chope (draught beer).
≈ 70 BRL per person- 2 h · travel, break, free time
Nature
Sugarloaf Mountain
A two-stage cable car (Urca 220 m, Sugarloaf 396 m). Go for sunset and the night lights; book a timed ticket online.
≈ 180 BRL per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Bar UrcaBeer and pastel (fried pastry) on the Urca sea wall. A local classic, good before the cable car.
- Copacabana FortA fort at the end of the beach with the Confeitaria Colombo café. An alternative to Arpoador.
Day 3 · 09:00–22:00
Downtown and samba
Culture
Museum of Tomorrow
Calatrava's Museum of Tomorrow, on the Porto Maravilha waterfront. Free on Tuesdays.
≈ 30 BRL per person- 45 min · travel, break, free time
Culture
Monastery of São Bento
A gilded Baroque monastery from 1590. Gregorian chant mass on Sundays at 10:00.
FreeFood
Confeitaria Colombo
A Belle Époque pastry shop from 1894 with a mirrored hall. Try the pastel de nata and salgados (savoury snacks).
≈ 50 BRL per personCulture
Royal Portuguese Reading Room
One of the world's most beautiful libraries, in the Neo-Manueline style. Free entry.
Free- 4 h 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Pedra do Sal
The rock where samba was born. Street roda (samba circle) on Mondays and Fridays, with caipirinha.
≈ 30 BRL per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Rio Scenarium LapaA three-storey samba house packed with antiques. Open Friday and Saturday.
- Theatro Municipal TourA copy of the Paris Opera. Check the tour times.
Day 4 · 08:00–16:30Day trip
Tijuca and Pedra Bonita
Nature
Pedra Bonita Trail
693 m in Tijuca. An easy 40-minute climb to a hang-gliding ramp, with views of Pedra da Gávea and São Conrado.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Cascatinha Taunay Tijuca Forest
A 30 m waterfall in the world's largest urban forest. Look out for monkeys; take an Uber or taxi.
Free- 1 h · travel, break, free time
Nature
Dona Marta Viewpoint
The most famous frame of Christ, Sugarloaf and the bay. It featured in a Michael Jackson video.
FreeNature
Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden
A botanical garden from 1808. See the 134 m avenue of royal palms and the Victoria water lilies.
≈ 15 BRL per personFood
Braseiro da Gávea
Picanha and chope in Gávea, a meat restaurant popular with locals.
≈ 80 BRL per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon CyclingA 7.5 km loop around the lagoon, with pedal boats. An alternative to the botanical garden.
- Bar LagoaA German-Brazilian bar on the lagoon shore, open since 1934.
Day 5 · 08:30–15:30Day trip
Ilha Grande
Landmark
Conceição de Jacareí Ilha Grande Boat
A 2.5-hour transfer from Rio plus a 20-minute boat ride (tour about 250 BRL). A car-free forest island.
≈ 50 BRL per personLandmark
Vila do Abraão
The island's village, with sandy streets and a church.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Lopes Mendes Beach
One of Brazil's most beautiful beaches. Take a boat plus a 20-minute forest walk; white sand and bodyboarding.
FreeFood
Lua e Mar Beach Tavern Abraão
Moqueca (fish stew) and caipirinha. The return boat leaves at 16:30.
≈ 60 BRL per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Lagoa Azul Snorkelling TourA boat tour to the Blue Lagoon with turtles and fish. An alternative to Lopes Mendes.
- Praia do Abraãozinho KioskA cove beach next to the village.
Day 6 · 09:30–17:30Day trip
Niterói and Maracanã
Landmark
Niterói Contemporary Art Museum
Niemeyer's flying saucer. Take the 20-minute ferry from Praça XV for the best view of the Rio skyline.
≈ 16 BRL per personNature
Parque da Cidade Niterói
A hilltop in Niterói with a bay panorama stretching to Christ the Redeemer, and hang gliding.
FreeNature
Itacoatiara Beach
Niterói's wild surf beach, with the Costão rock and a local crowd.
FreeFood
Mercado São Pedro Niterói
Restaurants above the fish market serving fried fish.
≈ 60 BRL per person- 1 h · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Maracanã Stadium Tour
The world's legendary stadium. Take a tour or catch a match (Flamengo or Fluminense, a real experience); go by metro.
≈ 60 BRL per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Flamengo Match at MaracanãStand tickets on match day. The best Rio experience; buy tickets online.
- Skunna NiteróiA seafront restaurant in Niterói, with views.
Day 7 · 08:30–13:45
Leblon: a gentle farewell
Nature
Mirante do Leblon
A viewpoint at the end of Leblon, overlooking Ipanema and Leblon beaches and Dois Irmãos.
FreeNature
Leblon Beach Morning
Rio's most elegant beach. Try coconut water (água de coco).
FreeFood
Talho Capixaba Leblon
Bakery and deli breakfast in Leblon, with pão de queijo (cheese bread). A farewell treat.
≈ 50 BRL per personShopping
Hippie Fair Ipanema
A Sunday handicraft market at Praça General Osório (on other days, visit a Havaianas store).
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Galeão Airport Uber
Uber takes 45-60 minutes. Farewell.
≈ 90 BRL per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Bibi Sucos LeblonA cult spot for açaí and fruit juice.
- Museu Casa do PontalBrazilian folk art, in Barra.
Good to know: 6 things that make a Rio de Janeiro trip easier
- The metro (South Zone to Centre) is safe and clean; Uber and 99 are cheap; the Niterói ferry leaves from Praça XV. Galeão is 45-60 minutes away, while Santos Dumont is in the city.
- June to September is WINTER in Rio and the best season: 22-26°C, dry and sunny, sea at 22°C, fewer crowds; Festa Junina is in June.
- SAFETY: don't show your phone in the street, don't leave belongings on the beach (and never swim alone), don't walk the seafront at night, and don't enter a favela without a guide. The South Zone (Ipanema, Leblon, Copacabana) is comfortable by day.
- Corcovado train 100 BRL, Sugarloaf 180, Maracanã 60; per-kilo restaurant (por quilo) 40-60, chope 12, caipirinha 20; the 10% service charge is added to the bill. Cards are accepted everywhere, and Pix is also used.
- Christ the Redeemer at 08:00 (haze in the afternoon), Sugarloaf at sunset; book Ilha Grande tours early; Pedra Bonita in the morning.
- Feijoada on Saturday, açaí, pão de queijo, moqueca, picanha; Globo biscuits on the beach.
Spending: ≈ 3,600 BRL per person for 7 days
- Food1,800 BRL
- Entry and tours900 BRL
- Local transport600 BRL
- Other300 BRL
Excludes accommodation and flights. 2026 price estimate, per person.
On world lists: 1 place in this city
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Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Rio de Janeiro?
This itinerary is built for 7 days. With 3 days, do the first 3 — TripWalkers uses the opening days of the plan for shorter trips too. The day trip is on day 4, 5 and 6; skip it on a short stay.
How much does a day in Rio de Janeiro cost?
In this plan, food, entry fees and local transport come to about 514 BRL per person per day. Accommodation and flights are not included. Figures are 2026 estimates.
What time should you start the day in Rio de Janeiro?
The first stop is at 07:30. Most days start early so you arrive before the crowds, and evenings end with dinner.
Which season is this itinerary for?
This page covers June–September. There is a separate plan for October–May: opening hours, the sea and the weather change the route.