When you visit a new country, you shouldn’t miss the famous attractions that they boast of. Rio de Janeiro in Brazil should be no exception. There are a lot of interesting places that you can visit and that you will surely enjoy. The city boasts of a wide range of attractions that you can’t find anywhere else, however, the three listed below should be on your priority list.
Christ the Redeemer in Corcovado
Part of the Seven Wonders of the World, the statue of Christ the Redeemer is the most popular attraction in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Built in 1931 by Heitor da Silva Costa, the soapstone mosaic covered-statue stands at a height of 30 meters.
To get to the statue, you no longer have to take the 220 steps to the top. All you have to do is take either the escalator or the elevator and you can then enjoy the breathtaking view of Rio de Janeiro. The statue stands on the Corcovado Hill which also has a lot of other attractions in the area.
Found at the base of the statue is Mayrink chapel which houses works of Candido Portinari, a well known Brazilian modern artist. There is also the Museu do Acude which houses colonial furniture including East India Company’s china collection. Aside from these additional attractions, the one thing that brings more tourists in is the train ride to the mountain that goes through the forest.
Cable car through Sugar Loaf
This famous attraction is said to be the symbol of Rio de Janeiro. Due to its resemblance to the loaves of sugar that the colonial Portuguese used before, it was named as such. In 1912, Brazilian engineer Augusto Ferreira thought of putting up cable cars that connected Sugar Loaf, Praia Vermelha and Urca Hill. Since then tourists have flocked this local attraction. Now, there is an added feature that tourists can enjoy. Aside from seeing the incredible view from the cable cars, tourists can now enjoy another aerial view of the place. A heliport is now available at the top of Urca Hill.
Ipanema Beach
Everybody has heard of the song “Girl from Ipanema.” Rio de Janeiro is where you will find the famous beach from the song. Stretching out 2 km wide, this is heavily populated by tourists every summer. Although the word Ipanema means bad water, it’s far from what you would see in this place. Aside from the renowned beach, the world-class hotels and restaurants, and vigorous nightlife, which are just a walking distance from each other, are what tourists keep on coming back for. Another thing that you shouldn’t miss when you are in Ipanema is their Hippie Fair every Sunday at the Praca General Osorio. It showcases Brazil’s local art, food and fashion.