RIO DE JANEIRO
The standout days in Rio de Janeiro.
The 15 most popular walking tours in Rio de Janeiro. The ones worth building a day around, with prices, run times and who runs each one.
Rocinha walking tour with a local guide from Copacabana/Ipanema. 2 hours inside, small group, community support, $36.
Most Popular
Walk Rocinha with local guides for a respectful, history-filled look at daily life in Rio, plus viewpoints and capoeira.
Sunrise hike from Vidigal to Morro Dois Irmãos with local guide, motor-taxi ride, lanterns, and sweeping Rio bay views.
“This was such a beautiful hike!!! Our guide was really wonderful, and was very kind when my partner was struggling some with the pace. We definitely felt better doing it with a guide, and the views at the top were SO worth it.”
Walk Rio’s Little Africa for samba origins, Afro-dance heroes, and Valongo waterfront stops, with rooftop views. 150 minutes, $40.
A private 3-hour Centro walking tour through Rio’s key landmarks, from the Opera House to Paço Imperial, with flexible history stops.
“Amazing, friendly and very informative walk around the historical center of Rio! 5 / 5 stars! Thank you!”
A 4-hour Old Rio walking tour with hotel pickup: São Bento, Paço Imperial, Candelária, Mauá Square Olympic legacy, and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
“Highlights include Benedictine Chapel with amazing art work and the beautiful Portuguese Library both in down town.”
Ride the historic yellow tram and walk Santa Teresa to Lapa’s Arcos and Selarón steps on a small-group 3.5-hour tour.
“What a great way to visit a special area of Rio.”
Guided hike to Pedra do Telégrafo in Rio with bilingual guide, photo viewpoints, and photo-spot angles. Early start, pack water.
“We were told the night before that our pickup time would be 6:30am which we confirmed. However, we ended up being picked up after 8AM. I guess the original guide got 'sick' and nothing was communicated to us until after we reached out with a message around 7:30.”
A 3-hour Rio walk through Ipanema and Copacabana where live guitar and stories connect Bossa Nova to real landmarks.
“Our guide Gui was delightful. As he taught us the history of Bossa Nova, he accompanied his songs with his fabulous guitar made in Grenada, Spain.”
3-hour guided Bossa Nova walk through Ipanema and Copacabana with a live musician, 10+ photo stops, and history.
A 7–8 hour walk through Rio’s Centro and bohemian Santa Teresa to Lapa, with a Santa Teresa tram ride and iconic viewpoints.
“Superbe découverte du centre ville. Yvan nous a fait découvrir l’histoire de Rio pendant une journée. Merci encore à lui pour toutes ces explications. Je recommande vivement”
Historical downtown and Lapa walking tour in Rio. Admssion stops at Biblioteca Nacional and art museum, plus Selarón Steps and Praça XV.
“Really enjoyed the free walking tour in Rio. Our guide was really friendly and welcoming and very informative of the area. The tour took 3 hours but felt very quick in a good way as I really enjoyed it. There was time for a quick toilet break and drink refill which was good. The guide…”
Rio Centro on foot in 4 hours. See monarchy-to-republic landmarks, major churches and squares, CCBB, Cinelândia, and a snack stop.
Walk Dona Marta in Rio with a local guide: arts centers, street art, sports projects, and the Michael Jackson viewpoint. 150 min.
Walk Rocinha with a local guide on a capped 10-person tour, adding craft stops, graffiti, viewpoints, and an included moto-taxi ride.
“My 73-year-old mother and I went on this tour today and was a day we will never forget!! Two women from the US completely out of our element, yet we were never concerned for our safety, The tour guide spoke very good English, and was extremely knowledgeable about the area because grew up there and…”
From Corcovado to Copacabana, and every way to see the city in between.
