Rio de Janeiro For Beginner: The Most Marvellous Sights and Attractions
Rio de Janeiro is one of the world’s most famous and beautiful cities. Its sprawling beaches, awe-inspiring vistas and unique culture make this lace one of the most fascinating cities to visit. I have lived here for over two years, so it is time I put together a beginner guide for the first things you’ll want to do and see when spending time here as a first-time traveller.
Christ the Redeemer
Let’s start with the showpiece and the most obvious one, then. Christ the Redeemer. It’s what the city is most famous for, which makes sense as it is one of the wonders of the modern world. Christ The Redeemer stands tall as an iconic statue of Jesus Christ. Crafted by French-Polish sculptor Paul Landowski and built between 1922 and 1931, the statue, reaching 30 meters in height (excluding the 8-meter pedestal), boasts arms that stretch an impressive 28 meters wide. Constructed from reinforced concrete and soapstone, it underwent significant modifications from its original concept, transforming into the widely recognized figure with outstretched arms we see today.
You can get up to Christ the Redeemer via train, which costs around 75 reais (about £12), and the view from the top of the city is just as magnificent as the sculpture itself. You can see many things here, from Copacabana Beach to the Maracna stadium. Just ensure you go on a clear day, as clouds can obscure the view. Helicopter tours are also available if you fancy splashing the cash. People have also known base jump from this location, but that is a step too far for me. Fair play to them, though!
Sugar Loaf Mountain
Continuing with the theme of excellent views, next up is Sugar Loaf Mountain, or Pao de Acucar to the locals (be very careful pronouncing the word Pao; if said wrong, it can mean something different than intended). There are a few ways to get up to the peak; you can even trek up there if you fancy a walk, but the most iconic and best way is to take the famous cable cars. They give you a fantastic view of the mountain and the city below before reaching the top.
For me, Sugar Loaf is the best vista in the city. You can see the whole Bay Area. I use the running track that spans the coast most days, so it was cool to see that from up high and all the people below treading my usual footsteps. Also, you can see the first landmark I mentioned, Christ the Redeemer, from here. Although I still 100% say visiting Christ the Redeemer is a must, the view of the iconic landmark is best from Sugar Loaf. You get an incredible view of the statue perched atop his throne, gazing down on the city from above.
The Maracana
The home of the most successful international football team on planet Earth and a true mecca to all football fans, the Maracana is a bucket list stadium for fans of the beautiful game. The stadium also hosts two local sides, Flamengo and Fluminese. I have seen both teams play, and the atmosphere is out of this world. The stand is rocking for the entire game. If I’m honest, the noise they generate inside here puts all UK football grounds to shame.
Built in 1950 for the FIFA World Cup, this stadium hosted the memorable match where Brazil faced Uruguay and lost 2–1 in front of a record crowd of 173,850 on July 16, 1950. Over the years, it has seen large attendances, with 26 occasions surpassing 150,000 and 284 times exceeding 100,000 spectators. Through various changes, including renovations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, its original capacity has been reduced to 73,139. Nevertheless, it is the largest stadium in Brazil and the third-largest in South America. Be careful buying tickets here. Only use trusted websites and not use sellers outside the stadium to avoid getting scammed. I love Brazil, but these things can happen anywhere in the world.
The Beaches – Copacobana & Ipanema
One of the coolest things about Rio is that it has some of the world’s best natural beaches in an urban area. Like most people who end up staying and living here, it is one of the deciding factors in making that decision. Living by the sea is bliss, and I won’t say no to that.
There are more great beaches to discover in Rio, but that can be saved for a future article. For the sake of this beginner guide, I will focus on the main two. They both offer different things. Copacabana is lively and great for sports. Ipanema is more for beachgoers who like relaxing, listening to tunes and chilling. What post on the beaches you choose to go to will dictate what vibe you will encounter, which is worth mentioning. Post 9 in Ipanema is for a younger crowd that likes to drink and party, and post 11 near Leblon is quieter and more family-oriented. Both beaches have makeshift bars that serve drinks, rent chairs and umbrellas, and brick-and-mortar kiosks like the beachfront if you fancy a bite to eat and some live music.
Escalera de Selarón
You probably know this landmark from the Snoop Dog and Pharrell Williams music video “Beautiful”. I’m not ashamed to admit where I first learned about this place. It’s one of the most fascinating pieces of street art I have ever encountered.
The man behind it (unsurprisingly, whom the staircase is named after) is Jorge Selerón, a globetrotter from Chile. Selerón explored nearly fifty countries before establishing roots in Rio de Janeiro in 1990. There, he embarked on the ambitious endeavour of crafting a staircase that would ultimately bear his name. Tragically, on January 10, 2013, Jorge Selarón was discovered deceased on the stairs that had become his legacy. Sort of a poetic end, I guess, but nonetheless, it’s still very sad.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I hope it helps you out if you’re a newbie planning a trip to Rio. I will be writing more travel tips and guides for Rio and Brazil so keep your eyes peeled for more.
