Rio de Janeiro walking route: Christ the Redeemer to Ipanema
This 38.4 km route covers Rio de Janeiro's iconic landmarks including Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, plus cultural sites like the Lapa Arches, Santa Teresa tram, and Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon. The interactive map guides visitors through historic attractions, scenic viewpoints, and local neighborhoods across the city's most visited destinations.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Welcome to Rio de Janeiro
- End
- Sugarloaf Mountain
- Stops
- 9
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Welcome to Rio de Janeiro
- Christ the Redeemer statue — Majestic iconic statue offering soul-stirring views of the city
- Historic Copacabana Fort — 18th-century military fortress overlooking Copacabana Beach, offering panoramic city views and insight into Rio's colonial defensive architecture and coastal history.
- Lapa Arches — Historic 18th-century aqueduct, iconic structure hosting the Santa Teresa tram
- Santa Teresa tram (bondinho) — Vintage yellow tram ascending through bohemian neighborhoods, connecting central Rio to historic hillside districts with steep curves and nostalgic charm.
- Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon
- Copacabana Beach — Iconic beach with golden sands and vibrant atmosphere, starting point of Rio exploration
- Ipanema Beach — Famous beach destination known for its rhythms and cultural vibes
- Sugarloaf Mountain — Granite peak accessible by cable car with panoramic 360° views including urban forest
Useful for your trip
- Tip
- Copacabana Beach is 4 km long and hosts the annual New Year's Eve fireworks extravaganza.
- Tip
- Visit the historic Copacabana Fort built in 1914, which now houses the Army Historical Museum with sweeping views of the beach and Atlantic Ocean.
- Food
- Try Bolino de Bacalhau, a traditional Brazilian dish of delicious codfish fritters that are a local favorite.
- Tip
- Christ the Redeemer statue stands 30m tall on Corcovado Mountain and was constructed using 6 million stone tiles and concrete.
- Food
- Eat Feijoada, a hearty black bean stew representing the fusion of African, Portuguese and Indigenous flavors.
- Transport
- Take a cable car ride to Sugarloaf Mountain, an iconic granite peak rising 396m that provides 360° views of Rio including the Tijuca National Forest.
- Tip
- The Lapa Arches is a historic aqueduct from the 18th century that originally supplied water to the city; the area comes alive at night with Samba and nightlife.
- Transport
- Ride the Santa Teresa tram (bondinho) which runs through the historic Lapa Arches area.
- Tip
- The Selaron Steps are adorned with over 2,000 tiles from more than 60 countries, created by Chilean artist Jorge Celeron as a tribute to the Brazilian people.
- Tip
- Jardim Botânico, established in 1808, boasts over 6,500 species of Brazilian and foreign flora, including an orchidarium with over 600 orchid species.
- Tip
- Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas is a freshwater lagoon offering recreational activities like stand-up paddle boarding, cycling, and bird watching; it hosted rowing and canoeing during the 2016 Rio Olympics.
- Food
- Try Chasco, a traditional Brazilian barbecue experience with a variety of meats including succulent steaks and juicy sausages.
Video on this route
How to spend 4 days in Rio de Janeiro? - Travel Guide