Location: Zona Central (Central Region)
Top Things to do in Zona Central (Central Region)
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The 10 Best Things to do in Zona Central (Central Region), 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. Museu Nacional De Belas Artes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 960 reviews
Inside this French Renaissance-style building is a collection of paintings by Brazil's finest contemporary artists as well as an impressive array of folk and African art.
Reviewed By gizelm
I returned to this museum after many years and my previous impression remains: this is an important place if you want to understand the history of Brazilian academic and artistic life. On the ground floor you will find the temporary exhibitions and on the top floor you will see the classic, more academic works. It is important to remember that the building housed the fine arts school and once you acknowledge that you will appreciate the large halls and the high ceilings as well as the paintings. A visit to this museum, the Municipal theater and the National library make it for a cultural day in the city center.
2. Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,091 reviews
Whether to attend a show or take a tour, it’s worth seeing this lavish 1909 theater, filled with gilded mirrors, statues, murals, stained-glass windows and sparkling chandeliers.
Reviewed By LizE911 - Madrid, Spain
Gorgeous art deco and based on the Paris Opera House.They have guided tours. In the evening they have concerts, ballet and Opera.
3. Museu Historico Nacional
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 907 reviews
Originally a fortress and an ammunition depot dated of Colonial Brazil, the National Historical Museum created in 1922 became one of the most important museums of history in the country, housing a collection of circa 300,000 items. It holds 9,000 square meters galleries of long term and temporary exhibitions, besides a Library and Historical and Institutional Archives .
Reviewed By sannax - Sweden, null
It took us ca 2 hours to see the part of the museum we were interested in (history of Brazil) and it was really interesting, good AC inside, important on a hot day and nice break from the always-busy-city.
4. Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil - CCBB Rio de Janeiro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,635 reviews
The CCBB is a cultural center that consists of exhibition rooms, three theaters, a library, cinema, and a video room. It is housed in an art deco style building located in what used to be the financial district of Rio de Janeiro.
Reviewed By JodoRio
Amazing neoclassic building, great exhibitions, theater, cinema, nice facilities and a wonderful library on the fifth floor.This is a very important and complete cultural center.There is a small café and a book store.
5. Sao Bento Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,600 reviews
Gregorian chants are performed on Sundays at this Benedictine complex, which was completed in 1641 and contains a spectacular church altar.
Reviewed By CJW913 - De Pere, United States
Benedictine monks from Bahia founded the Sao Bento Monastery in 1590, which is located in the hills of Sao Bento. Built between 1617 and 1641, the simple white exterior of the building reflects the simplicity of the time, but gives no hint of the opulence of the gilded Baroque interior. Stepping inside, and seeing the carvings, paintings, statues, and gilding literally takes your breath away. It is such a sensory overload that my brain could not take it all in! This is by far one of the most splendorous church interiors that I have ever seen--and I have seen many while visiting 140 countries. A number of the works on display were carved by one of the monks, Frei Domingos da Conceicao (1643-1718), including the main altar, and the statues of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica. One needs more time than my husband were given on our private tour of Rio to take in all the riches of this abbey church.
6. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,704 reviews
With architecture inspired by the Mayan pyramids of Mexico, the conical shape is believed to give proximity to God. Four stained glass windows run from floor to ceiling forming a cross at the top. Acoustics are "heavenly" here!
Reviewed By Kingpaul100 - Malaga, Spain
A ubiquely designed cathedral built along the lines of a Mayan pyramid. Conical design with sweeping full height stained glass windows joining to a ckear glass cross at the top. The alignment is designed to get visitors to look up to god as they enter- it works !! Free entry with donation boxes.
7. National Library (Biblioteca Nacional)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 790 reviews
8. Church of Our Lady of the Candelaria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,458 reviews
Reviewed By AlejandroM862 - Reisenberg, Austria
I have special interest for the Portuguese colonial history and, having seen Portuguese churches in Asia, Europe and South America, I think this has been one of my favourite one worldwide so far. The facade is impressive. The works inside include paintings showing scenes of Portuguese travelers which can capture so much your attention (you have to look upwards immediately after entering the nave, there is a long row of them before you reach the trancept). It is worth stay a long while to stare and explore. It is also very well kept.
9. Ilha Fiscal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 710 reviews
Reviewed By AnaKrueger - Houston, United States
One of the most beautiful locations in Rio. Access to the island is via a short bus trip from the visitor center. The old customs island is in a strategic position where you can see the connection of the Guanabara bay to the Atlantic Ocean, also you can see many of the old Portuguese forts, the City of Rio de Janeiro and the city of Niterói. The view is incredible. The building is very nice carved in Gneiss with beautiful glass murals. It is also a nice history lesson about the last days of the Brazilian monarchy.
10. Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By pauladuprat
Lovely, historial church, you shouldn't miss. It really worths a visit if you like history and architecture.
