Take the cable car up to see the beautiful views from this mountain in Urca. The first stop is Morro da Urca, a smaller mountain. After spending some time here continue up to Pao de Acucar. The cable cars hold about 75 people and each trip takes about three minutes. You can buy tickets online first or you can take your chances with waiting in line. Rides occur daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m, with the last boarding at 6:30 pm. We would recommend going to Sugarloaf before Corcovado. Sugarloaf is not as high and the view may not be as dramatic if you experience it second to Corcovado. Sugarloaf has some shops, bars, and small kiosks with food, as well as a restaurant. If you prefer to hike, there is a trail that leaves from Praia Vermelha up to Morro da Urca. For the rock climbing enthusiasts, you can rock climb up to the top of Sugarloaf mountain.

This beautiful 340 acre botanical garden has more than 5,000 species of tropical plants and trees and 140 species of birds. A highlight inside is The Avenue of Royal Palms, an 800 yard double row of 134 royal palm trees. The grounds also contain a museum, a library, two small cafes, and a gift shop. The normal visiting hours are: Mondays, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., from Tuesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are R$7.

Located in Lapa, this staircase has tiles from all around the world. It is the work of Chilean painter Selaron, who began working on the staircase in 1990. We would recommend going during the day to get bright photos on a weekday. It’s suggested not to venture too far at the top, as the neighborhood can be a little dangerous. Walking up the stairs you see all the gorgeous colorful tiles, but on the way down they look like everyday stairs. *Fun fact: Snoop Dogg & Pharell shot the video for their song ‘Beautiful’ at the stairs.

Located in Centro, this theater is modeled after the Paris Opera House. It has beautiful marble, mosaics, chandeliers, statues, mirrors, and stained glass windows. The decor becomes more simple as you reach the upper floors, which is symbolic of when classes were separated. It is also due to the use of all the funds for the project prior to it’s completion. Guided tours are available on Wednesday at 4pm, Thursday 11am, 2pm and 4pm, Friday 11am and 2pm, with a 4pm English tour (only option for tour in english), and Saturdays 11am and 12:30pm. Tours are R$20. Check the website for scheduling if you are interested in a dance performance or concert. After your tour, stop by Confeitaria Colombo, a nearby cafe with delicious pastries that has been around for over 120 years.

Located in Copacabana, this fort and military history museum housed political prisoners during Brasil’s military dictatorship in the 60’s and 70’s. The fort itself is a site to see, but the archway at the entrance also gives a perfect view of Sugar Loaf, and there are also great views of Copacabana beach. There is also a cafe on site that has good coffee, pastries, and desserts. It’s open Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00 to 6:00 and entry is R$6.

If you are a soccer fan, keep an eye open for the opportunity to watch a soccer game in the famous Maracanã Stadium. The 1950 and 2014 FIFA World Cup finals were played here. Multiple championships will be in progress at the time of our wedding, including both the 1st and 2nd Division Brazilian National Championships, the Copa do Brasil championship, the 2024 Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores championship, and the 2024 Copa CONMEBOL Sudamericana championship. You can also tour Maracanã Stadium, learn about its history, see jerseys worn by some of the most famous Brazilian soccer players, and more.