The key addresses in Rio de Janeiro — verified and regularly updated. Clicking takes you straight to the location page.
Rio's landmark and one of the new seven wonders of the world: the 38-metre-high Art Deco statue of Christ the Redeemer spreads its arms over the city on Corcovado Mountain. The cogwheel train takes you up through the rainforest - at the top you can expect a magnificent panoramic view.
The world-famous staircase between Lapa and Santa Teresa is the life's work of the artist Jorge Selarón: 215 steps, decorated with over 2,000 colorful tiles from all over the world. A colourful work of art and one of the most popular photo motifs in the city.
With the glass cable car, you float in two stages to the 396-meter-high Sugarloaf Mountain at the entrance to Guanabara Bay. From the top, you'll have one of the most beautiful views in the world – over Copacabana, the bay, and the Christ the Redeemer statue, especially magical at sunset.
Probably the most famous city beach in the world: 4 kilometres of golden sand, the striking wave pattern of the promenade and pure lifestyle. Beach volleyball is played, jogging and partying here - on New Year's Eve, millions of people gather here for the spectacular fireworks.
Gay attractions in Rio de Janeiro revolve mainly around the beaches of the Zona Sul. The most famous queer spot in the city is the gay section of Ipanema beach between lifeguard posts 8 and 9, just below Rua Farme de Amoedo. There, rainbow flags mark the meeting place where the scene has been gathering for decades, in the middle of the public beach and visible to all. In the immediate vicinity is Posto 9, where the song The Girl from Ipanema was written in the 1960s. From there, a short walk leads to the bars and cafes of Rua Farme de Amoedo.
Beyond the scene, Rio offers the classic landmarks that connect well with the queer places: the Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado, the Sugarloaf Mountain above the bay, and the curving promenade of Copacabana. The queer highlight of the year is Pride, which usually takes place towards the end of September on the beach of Copacabana. Along the long strip of sand, the parade moves along Avenida Atlântica and is one of the largest of its kind in the world. If you want to get to know Rio beyond the pure postcard motifs, you will find your own approach in the open beach life and in the scene around Ipanema. The following places and events will take you to the most important stations.