Location: Zona Sul (South Zone)
Top Things to do in Zona Sul (South Zone)
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The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Zona Sul (South Zone), State of Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
With its plentiful beaches, dramatic mountains, and backdrop of samba and bossa nova rhythms, it's easy to fall in love with Rio de Janeiro. Made famous in song, Ipanema Beach is still the place to stroll, sunbathe, and be seen. The largest Art Deco statue in the world, Christ the Redeemer, beckons visitors to Corcovado Mountain. Rio’s annual Carnaval celebrations are bacchanalian extravaganzas of feasting, music, dance, and costumed revelry.
Restaurants in Rio de Janeiro
1. Sugarloaf Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55,956 reviews
One of the most beautiful attractions in Rio de Janeiro and one of the most famous in Brazil. Our mission is to take people to an enchantment, fun and entertainment journey – providing happy and unforgettable experiences as well as valuing Brazilian culture. We constantly invest in safety, comfort and innovative technologies. Our locations constitute natural, geological, historical, and touristic landmarks in the city of Rio de Janeiro. As a natural landmark, it reminds us of our reference to the sailors who come to Guanabara Bay. As a geological landmark, it reminds us of our geological site precisely dating the history of our planet. We also talk about historical landmark because on March 1, 1565, Estacio de Sa founded the City of Sao Sebastiao in Rio de Janeiro literally on its feet. And, finally, touristic landmark because the Cable Car opened on Sugarloaf projected Brazil’s name worldwide. It has been the first cable car installed in Brazil and the third in the world.
Reviewed By myom624 - Coquitlam, Canada
A different vantage point from the top of Corcovado with more land views than water views (or water seen past land), the top of this so-called 'Sugar Loaf' is actually kind of an "opposite nature" with more views of water than land from its two viewing areas (each of which kind of double-decked): one area facing north with a great wide view of Guanabara Bay & the "long bridge" at some distance straight ahead and from which there's also a view of a good-sized portion of the city (with a pretty nice skyline actually in a big sprawling area of modern high-rises) to the left & across the water with also some nice-looking beaches on that side; and another area facing south with the "open sea" & really quite a phenomenal view of the "entire length" of Copacabana Beach from the hill of Forte Duque de Caxias just shortly from this mountain to Forte de Copacabana on the other end about 3 km away (which is actually what to me was the "most worthwhile" view from this mountain top). I would just say a bit on the downside though is "not much" of ground to walk around up here, but yes there's Morro da Urca shortly below (just about a 5-minute cable car ride away which you have to come through to get up to this mountain top) which is "like a small park" for a nice walk around with also some old cable cars displayed outdoors, a small building with some cable car machinery on display, a small forest trail on a raised platform or such & yes the same views as from above (except for that of Copacabana to the south which cannot be seen from this "lower top") but actually kind of better I would say when it comes to some views such as that of the high-rises to the west across the water & that of the boats in the water also to the west (quite a number of those pleasure vessels to see actually!). And also, pretty nice for browsing and enjoying time up here (on the tops of both Sugarloaf & Morro da Urca) are some nice souvenir shops & restaurants & even a gemstone shop with beautiful sculptures of birds & such made of those stones (quite pricey ones though). And with no metro station close by, one way to not have to spend too much for taxi getting here is by taking the metro to Botafogo Station (both Lines 1 & 2) where you can take a cab outside for just a short ride of 5 to 10 minutes to the cable car station on the bottom of Morro da Urca where you start your "two-part" cable car ride (each just for about 5 minutes) first to the top of Morro da Urca then all the way up to the top of this mountain (which yes resembles a loaf of sugar but a "green one").
2. Centro Cultural Municipal Parque das Ruinas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,260 reviews
Reviewed By FoodiEbeLovesTravel - London, United Kingdom
The old house felt like a living storybook, the interior designs are a great mix of old tasteful bricks & glasshouse & greens, love it! You cant miss it if you are at Santa Teresa!
3. Parque Lage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,662 reviews
Reviewed By vanwilder_za - Cape Town, South Africa
One of the best places to have a morning brunch with a "wow" view when in Rio de Janeiro. Other places I can think of is Confeitaria Colombo in Copacabana, Hotel Fasano and Copacabana Palace, to name just a few. What makes this place so unique is its really old architecture with Tijuca forrest, Corcovado mountain and Cristo Redento as a backdrop. Food (breakfast options) is exquisite and you definitely feel like you're rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. Speaking of which, the place has been made famous by Pharrell Williams and Snoop Dogg as its where they recorded their famous no1 hit, Beautiful.
4. Leblon Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,679 reviews
Reviewed By kapaniris - Athens, Greece
This is maybe the best beach in Rio, amazing people, wonderful bars, breathtaking with superb beach volley fields !!
5. Forte Duque de Caxias
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 693 reviews
Reviewed By chelslynne - Pensacola, United States
The hike up was a great introduction to the flora and fauna of Rio. The marmosets are so cute! The butterflies are gorgeous! The fort offers brilliant views of the city, Christo and sugarloaf. We weren’t charged anything for the hike.
6. Avenida Atlantica
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,952 reviews
Avenida Atlantica, with the iconic wavy sidewalk mosaic of Roberto Burle Marx, is ideal for strolling along Copacabana Beach. It is lined with beachside kiosks offering refreshments such as a chilled coconut, and at the far end is a quaint area where fishermen bring their fresh catch ashore.
Reviewed By straightjohnbull
WE stayed in a Copacabana hotel on Avenue Atlantica near post 5. Avenue Atlantica is a busy two-way dual carriageway which separates shops, hotels and restaurants from Copacabana Beach. There are numerous safe crossing points to get from one side to the other and we preferred walking and running along the beach side. We had planned to take taxis to restaurants locally at night but felt very secure throughout even late at night and so walked there and back. The avenue is very well lit and is invariably never deserted.
7. Corcovado - Christ the Redeemer
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64,954 reviews
In the top of the City is installed Christ the redeemer the most wanted touristic sides of Brazil and Rio de Janeiro. Biggest and most famous scripture Art Deco of the world, the Christ statue started to be planned in 1921 and it was developed by the engineer Heitor da Silva Costa over 6 years of job, from 1925 to 1931, the opening year of the monument. Located at Parque Nacional da Tijuca, 710 meter above the sea level, where anybody can appreciate one of the most beautiful views of the city. Over all 220 steps that lead to the famous statue feet, it was elected one of the Seven Wonders of the World made by formal voting in 2007 by the Swiss Institution New 7 Wonders Foundation. The monument is accessible by train, van or car. To get into the monument, there’s a nice ride by train that, during 20 minutes, it crosses Mata Atlantica until Corcovado’s top. The internet connection up there is good fre wi-fi and is a very safe place and LGBT friendly.
Reviewed By travelfoxYork
Don’t care wether the weathers good or bad you can’t come to Rio and not do this excursion- usually part of a multi experience ie Sugar Loaf - to stand there and see this magnificent sculpture with absolutely stunning views is breathtaking You can visit the small chapel at the bottom or just take in the views - selfies are obligatory mind-
8. Santa Teresa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,606 reviews
This quaint bohemian neighborhood of Rio with colonial buildings and cobblestone streets steep on a hillside overlooking the city is earning the interest of tourists wishing to see an alternate Rio away from the beach scene. Art galleries and restaurants add to the local culture of Santa Teresa.
Reviewed By arvind1000 - Pune, India
A visit to this Bohemian arty neighbourhood, with old colourful colonial houses, is a must do on a visit to Rio. This is best done around noon when the restaurants and bars of the neighbourhood our open. The place has old world charm, something in a time warp. There is also an old tram which does circuit between Rio Centro and Saint Theresa and back. There are also a some nice souvenir and gift shops.
9. Morro da Urca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,286 reviews
This is the first hill up on the way to Rio's famous Sugar Loaf. It offers it's own marvelous view from the top (215 meters) but its base is also a good place for hiking.
Reviewed By TSARBERGO - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
God, what a beautiful place !!! There could be no other expression to say what we feel when we visit Morro da Urca, located in the Marvelous City of Rio de Janeiro. You know that URCA means - Urbanization Carioca. This has to do with the Engineering and Earthmoving and Urbanization Company that at the time carried out with the residues of the Morro do Castelo deforestation, in which much of that removed soil was taken and placed there surrounding the sugar loaf and Morro daurca. It really is very beautiful, different and one of the most complementary views of the Sugar Loaf. (In time: it is called Pão de Sçucar because in the years of colonization, the sugar was dark - not refined - and it was packed in containers that when uninformed, let him with that same drawing of the Urca Stone. an enormous and huge basalt located at the entrance of the Guanabara Bay, an impressive natural view that exists in Rio de Janeiro and is recognized anywhere in the world.It draws attention to the details and intelligence of the engineering work that demonstrates how much human ingenuity can perform It is one of the most beautiful postcards in the world and I am sure you will remember this testimony when you visit it.Go, visit, photograph, walk, breathe and feel the unique landscape of this place.And from above, shout out loud: Long live Mother Nature !!!
10. Urca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,309 reviews
Reviewed By iamyaman
This is one of my favorite populated areas in Rio. The mountain is a nice view and good value for the cable car ride up to the top and then over to Sugarloaf. The beach is very clean and small. There is a military base at the bottom of Mount Urca so it is about as safe as you can get. The hike up the mountain is pretty good and the shops and restaurants in the area are very friendly.
