How to enjoy Niterói and Rio de Janeiro?
NITERÓI
Bathed by both Guanabara Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Niterói has about 500,000 inhabitants and has a thriving cultural life, in addition to offering, in almost all of its territory, the best landscapes, designed by mountains and green areas.
Located 13 km from Rio de Janeiro, Niterói comes from the Tupi-Guarani word Nictheroy, which in a free translation means “hidden water”. In fact, the indigenous culture is strongly intertwined with the history of the city, since, during the French invasions of Guanabara Bay in 1555, Portugal resorted to the help of the Temiminó Indian Arariboia, who managed to expel the French from there. As a prize, he won the piece of land on the other side of the bay, today the city of Niterói.
When traveling to Niterói, you will discover that the region, in addition to offering a beautiful view of the Marvelous City, also has the most beautiful beaches and equally interesting places to visit.
Check out its main tourist attractions below:
Niemeyer Path
The Niemeyer Path is the first tourist spot to always appear when listing what to do in Niterói. The architectural and cultural set extends from the Center of Niterói to the neighborhood of Icaraí. The complex concentrates beautiful buildings developed by the most renowned Brazilian architect in the world, Oscar Niemeyer (http://caminhoniemeyer.niteroi.rj.gov.br/).
Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC)
With a shape reminiscent of a flying saucer, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Niterói actually symbolizes a rose growing in the concrete. Located at Mirante da Boa Viagem, the MAC has a collection of more than 1,200 works of art and offers a magnificent view of the entire entrance to Guanabara Bay. It’s an unmissable tour! (http://culturaniteroi.com.br/macniteroi/)
Beaches of Niterói
The beaches of the Oceanic Region of Niterói are among the best beaches in Rio de Janeiro. Whoever is planning a trip to Niterói with the intention of enjoying a beach, needs to keep in mind that the Oceanic Region is the one that offers the best conditions for a swim in the sea.
In Niterói, the most interesting beaches in the city are:
- Itacoatiara beach;
- Camboinhas beach;
- Itaipu beach;
- Piratininga beach;
- Sossego beach.
Fort Complex
Niterói’s military fortifications arouse curiosity in most people who travel to Rio de Janeiro. The Fort Complex in Niterói is a place that takes the tourist to witness the history of Brazil mixed with natural and architectural beauties (http://visit.niteroi.br/complexo-dos-fortes/).
Niterói City Park
Opened in 1976, Parque da Cidade is undoubtedly one of the main tourist attractions in Niterói. It is the place that offers the most beautiful views of the coastal slopes. In addition to the view, the park has an environmental protection area that can be explored by tourists on 13 different trails. The most famous of them is the Travessia Tupinambá, which is almost 8 km long and leads to the Mirante do Tapera (http://www.niteroi.rj.gov.br/2022/04/25/parque-da-cidade/).
RIO DE JANEIRO
One of the most famous tourist destinations in Brazil, the old capital (it has already completed more than 450 years), is one of the most cinematographic settings in the country (it is no coincidence that the first cinema exhibition in Brazil took place in Rio de Janeiro, in 1896).
Check out its main tourist attractions below:
Christ the Redeemer
With its 30 meters high and installed at the top of the 700 meters of Corcovado, the art deco statue of Christ the Redeemer is one of those places that deserves to be visited at least once in a lifetime and definitely deserves the title of one of the best tourist spots in Rio de Janeiro. January! The best way to reach the top is using the Corcovado Train (from 8 am to 7 pm). From up there, it is impossible to have more incredible views of the city – Sugarloaf Mountain, Maracanã, Guanabara Bay and so on (https://www.tremdocorcovado.rio/).
Sugar Loaf
Opened in 1912, the Pão de Açúcar cable car was the first cable car in Brazil and the third in the world, connecting Morro da Urca to Morro do Pão de Açúcar. Since then, more than 40 million people have used the cable cars. Children and young people aged 6 to 21, students, seniors and people with special needs are entitled to a 50% discount. Children under 6 years old do not pay (https://riotur.rio/que_fazer/paodeacucar/).
Botanical Garden
To maintain the diversity of tours in Rio, which is in fact a city with attractions for all tastes, a visit to the Botanical Garden is one of those places that deserves your attention and your time. Who knew that you can find peace and tranquility in one of the most famous tourist spots in Rio de Janeiro? The main alley of the Botanical Garden is the Aleia das Palmeiras, with 134 imperial palm trees with an average height of 30 meters (equivalent to an 8-story building). The oldest date back to 1842 (https://alemdacurva.com/o-que-fazer-no-jardim-botanico-rj/).
Maracanã
The epicenter of a country passionate about football, Maracanã is nothing less than the biggest stadium in the world. Built for the 1950 World Cup, the stadium hosted a game for nearly 200,000 spectators at the time. One-hour guided tours are held daily, between 9 am and 5 pm, and take the visitor through the stands, VIP boxes, changing rooms and the reserve bench. Those who are lucky enough to watch a match between the Rio de Janeiro teams will be able to witness up close the true passion of the Brazilian in all its intensity (https://www.estadiodomaracana.com.br)
Copacabana beach
Among the 25 best beaches in the world, 10 are in Rio, but it is impossible to name any one without mentioning the most famous: Copacabana Beach. It’s 3 km long, famous hotels, hundreds of New Year’s Eve parties, carnivals, dedicated music and thousands of photos. Copacabana is one of the most famous tourist spots in Rio de Janeiro, be sure to enjoy a day there.
Enjoy Copacabana:
- Stroll along the boardwalk;
- Visit Copacabana Fort;
- Discover the famous statues scattered around the neighborhood, such as Carlos Drummond de Andrade;
- Have a nice coffee overlooking the sea at Confeitaria Colombo.