Rio de Janeiro holidays

The first thing to do in Rio is book a longer stay so you can fit more in. Tour the landmarks from Christ the Redeemer to Sugarloaf Mountain by foot, cable car and train, on a scenic helicopter flight, or both. Swim, surf, relax, roam, or party on miles of beach beside cafés, restaurants, bars, boutiques, galleries, and clubs. Visit boho Santa Tereza and climb the colourful Escadaria Selarón.

Wander through one of the world’s largest city forests in Tijuca National Park, home to wildlife from capuchin monkeys and quatis to toucans and butterflies. Find culture and history in the National Museum, Museu Chácara do Céu, Museu do Açude, Museu de Arte Moderna, and more. Visit cathedrals, monasteries and imperial palaces now turned into parks and gardens. Eat, drink, dance, and watch the world go by in picturesque plazas. Then, of course, there’s Carnival!

Rio from a helicopter is an iconic image we’ve all seen on our TVs. When you’re there, you can see it all up close. Gaze at Sugarloaf Mountain from below before riding cable cars to its summit for spectacular views across the city. Cristo Redentor, or Christ the Redeemer, stands 30 metres tall on the 709-metre peak of Corcovado accessed by railway through the beautiful Tijuca National Park.

Head back to sea level for a tour of the Maracanã, Brazil’s national stadium used in two FIFA World Cups and the 2016 Olympics, once packed with almost 200,000 people for the highest-attended football game of all time. Have your camera ready for landmarks at every turn from the still-working Teatro Municipal opera house and the strikingly decorated steps of Escadaria Selarón to the old and new cathedrals of Nossa Senhora do Carmo and Catedral de São Sebastião.

Endless miles of sand stretching across the city make Rio one of the best urban beach destinations on Earth. Feel the infectious energy of Copacabana, the world’s most famous beach stretching for more than two miles at the heart of downtown Rio. Watch the sunset from fashionable Ipanema where cosmopolitan cafés, boutique galleries, and avant-garde theatres celebrate humanity in all its forms.

Hit the surf or just get away from the crowds at Prainha Beach in the west where the rainforest comes to meet the ocean. Dive into local life at Praia do Leme, canoe or paddle board in the sheltered bay of Praia Vermelha, or go celeb spotting on the sporty shore of Leblon. From vibrant party zones to secluded coves and exclusive spots, Rio has a beach to put a smile on your face and a song on your lips.

For hot days and great weather, it's always a good time to visit Rio. The best time to travel depends on the experience you’re looking for. October to April is the hottest time with temperatures averaging from 25°C to 30°C and rainfall at its lowest. May to September is cooler and more comfortable but showers are more common.

The crowds come between December and March, especially during Carnival, which runs from the Friday before Lent to Ash Wednesday with the peak of celebrations in the final week. April and May, just after Carnival, and October to November, between the summer and festive holidays, are ideal if you’re looking for a little more space on the beach and across Rio’s many (many) attractions.