Centro

Large park; good for a rest. Look for monkeys and capybaras that roam about.

Site of the famous Carnaval parades, the Sambódromo is a long street flanked by grandstands and VIP boxes. From the start of the year until Carnaval week, technical rehearsals (Ensaios Técnicos) free to the public are held on Saturday and Sunday evenings, with 2-3 teams performing per session.

A stairway covered by colorful tiles and the ever-evolving art work of Chilean artist Jorge Selarón.

A beautiful spot for a stroll along the bank of Guanabara Bay.

The place where, during the first decades of the 19th century, ships carrying a total of almost a million African slaves landed. When slave trade was banned, freed slaves lived there for some time, eventually the whole area was entirely rebuilt and its dark history was forgotten until 2011, when African amulets and other items of worship were found during construction works. Nowadays the former wharf is an archaeological site and since 2017 a world heritage site.

It is near the site where Brazil was declared a Republic in 1889. It's also the site of the monument for Republican leader Benjamin Constant.

Small but interesting church built in 1739. It is more correctly known as the Outeira da Gloria, outeira in Portuguese meaning “knoll” or small hill. The church was well sited to be seen by arriving sailors sailing into Guanabara Bay. The layout consists of two intertwined octagonal prisms. There are some interesting wooden engravings and tiles from Portugal. Best accessed by one of the world’s shortest funiculars from Rua do Russel. The ride is free. Nice views.

Colonial architecture. Founded in 1590.

Neoclassic cathedral.

A rather bizarre, modern cathedral shaped like a volcano, with a very impressively vacuous interior.

Church of the Venerable Third Order of St. Francis of Penance is a part of the Convent of Saint Antony

These churches were built in the 18th century as part of a Carmelite Convent. After the future Portuguese King John VI of Portugal arrived in Rio in 1808 the churches became the city’s former main cathedral and the royal chapel. It was the site of coronations, and royal weddings and funerals. it features baroque and rococo architecture, with an ornate gilded interior and intricate wood carvings, mainly by one of Rio's best Rococo wood carvers of the period, Inácio Ferreira Pinto.

Colonial church built in 1773.

Baroque

Founded in 1914. It has neo Gothic arches. One of the most beautiful church in Rio de Janeiro.

An art and antique museum with a good collection of works by modern masters. During Carnaval 2006 some of its most famous works of art were stolen while a procession passed by outside.

For researchers about the Brazilian film, radio, and broadcasting industries.

After MASP in São Paulo, the second most important contemporary art museum in Brazil, (downtown, next to Santos Dumont airport). Modernist architecture on the edge of the Bay.

A museum of Brazilian history stretching from colonial to imperial times; big collection of paintings, but poor in artifacts.

Installed in a building constructed in 1868, this museum preserves articles from the seafaring history of the city.

Another building modelled on one in Paris, this time the Louvre. Includes large paintings from Academicist and Neoclassical Brazilian artists, as well as many copies of European sculptures

A museum opened in 2013 as part of the regeneration of the old port area. Made up of a new building with good views from the roof, next to a converted building that had been part of Rio’s former bus station. Rotating exhibitions changing annually.

This small tram museum has photos of and artifacts from the glory days when trams were all over Rio, including some models of old tramcars and lots of electrical equipment.

Forward-looking science museum in a compact but stunning Santiago Calatrava-designed building.

Learn about the history of Brazil's military as you stroll through galleries with exhibits about historic conflicts and leaders. Large collection of military hardware including tanks, field artillery, and rocket launchers.

Former ministry of culture, designed by French architect Le Corbusier; though small, it is regarded as an important pioneering work in modern architecture.

The former Customs House for Rio has some fascinating decorations and is well worth the visit.

Former presidential palace (1889-1893) and foreign office; now hosts a museum of South American diplomacy, a library and the UN information offices in Brazil.

Old Imperial Palace built in 1743 (though impressively modest). Colonial architecture.

The seat of the Legislative Assembly, visitors are welcome to wander in the corridors along the perimeter of the first floor, which tell the history of the Legislative Assembly and the building (mostly in Portuguese). Access to the second floor can be arranged through a guided tour with volunteers at the reception.

Held over a few days in May and November of each year, when Santa Teresa's artists open their studios to the public. There are free shuttle buses from most parts of the city for this event.

This arts and entertainment complex celebrates Carnaval year-round. Thursday nights at 20:00, there is a special Carnaval samba presentation called Forces of Nature (Forças da Natureza), which includes a dinner buffet, for R$190 per person, with students and senior citizens getting half-price.

What was Brazil's only remaining metropolitan tramway, in continuous operation since 1859, ran from Largo da Carioca, across the Arcos da Lapa, and into Santa Teresa terminating at the Largo de Curvelo. The tramway was closed in 2014 after accidents, but as of October 2015 is running again. If you follow the road further up from the last stop, and take the second road to the left, after another 300 m you will reach a rest area with a nice viewpoint, from where you can see much of Rio.

A good place to catch free classical music concerts. Stop by during the day for a schedule or check the newspaper for events, as the surrounding neighborhood can be a bit shady at night.