Rio de Janeiro in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Rio de Janeiro is a charming city, well worth spending a couple of days in. Here you can enjoy a relaxing holiday, strolling through authentic streets, quaint cafes and modern buildings. In three days you can take advantage of the best things to do in the region, such as entering a museum with interactive installations, climbing the Sugarloaf Mountain or watching a carnival parade in the City of Samba.

Note that the best transport options for getting around are taxis, buses and the metro. In general, you will be able to walk around the historic centre, explore the port area and discover the main monuments. I have prepared an itinerary, so that you can optimise your time and get the best perspective of Rio de Janeiro in a short time.

The historic centre of Rio de Janeiro is an area full of nuances and contrasts, characterised by rows of colonial buildings and other more modern monuments. It is worth at least a day's visit, as it has more than 500 years of history. There are always tourists, in fact some places have queues to get in, so I recommend an early start to the day. To get around, I suggest walking or using the metro. If you prefer to go comfortably, taxis are a good option.

Selaron Staircase

To start the tour you can start by visiting the Selarón Staircase, a creative and bohemian monument located between the vibrant streets of the Santa Teresa and Lapa neighbourhoods. There are 215 steps with icons, phrases and stories engraved on tiles representing more than 70 countries. It is a kind of abstract mural that was built by Chilean artist Jorge Selarón in 1947.

As you go up you will see tiles of football teams, different types of birds, celebrities and more. In addition, there is a repeated image of a pregnant African woman, which is a complete mystery that was part of Selarón's past. Also, if after a day of sightseeing you are looking for things to do in Rio de Janeiro at night, you can go up here and enjoy the nightlife in Lapa.

Lapa Arches

Next stop is the Lapa Arches, a monument that you can reach from the Selaron Stairs by taxi in less than twelve minutes. You can also get there in less than six minutes using the local bus, although I don't recommend it during rush hour. It is an important work of Carioca architecture that belongs to the colonial period, the most interesting thing is that it has 42 Roman style arches that support the structure.

Here you can take pictures for your memories, or wait for the tram or bondinho de Santa Teresa a characteristic transport of the Portuguese culture. Overall, it is a very short but worthwhile stop as it was once the main aqueduct of the city.

Royal Portuguese Reading Room

It's a nine-minute drive from the Arco de Lapas to the Real Gabinete Português de Lectura, but you can also take the bus or walk along Av. República do Paraguai. This is a library whose architecture has elements of the Gothic and Italian Renaissance periods. It was inaugurated by the Brazilian royal family and houses books that belonged to the monarchy. It has more than 350,000 copies, some dating from the 16th and 17th centuries.

I recommend you go through the Great Reading Room, illuminated by natural light from the central skylight. Here you can walk through the bookshelves, chandeliers and staircases that interconnect the building. It is one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro, as it is completely free and operates from Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Colombo Confectionery

There is still plenty to see in the historic centre of Rio de Janeiro, for example you can leave behind the Royal Portuguese Reading Cabinet and head down R. do Ouvidor to the Colombo Confectionery. It is a century-old café founded in 1894, located on the picturesque little street Gonçalves Dias. The decoration revolves around preserved elements of the period, such as the stained glass ceiling, the floor tiles and the Belgian mirrors on the walls.

The building was built by Portuguese immigrants and throughout history it has hosted celebrities, such as Queen Elizabeth of England. At the top you can access a terrace with panoramic views of the entire city. Additionally, three minutes away is Casa Cave, the oldest confectionery, founded by a Frenchman in 1860. It is a less crowded option, as the Confitería Colombo usually has a long queue. Without a doubt, it is the perfect place to end your day and get to know the local gastronomy.

The Olympic Boulevard is the port area of the city, where some of Rio de Janeiro's best museums are located. There is also an artistic mural, where the main component is cultural diversity. From here you can climb in the late afternoon to Sugarloaf Mountain to enjoy the panoramic views.

Museum of Tomorrow

The Museum of Tomorrow is a neuro futuristic space that focuses on ecology, sustainability and the future of planet earth. It was built by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and is very close to the sea, so it is an ideal location to start the day as there are few tourists. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

You can travel back in time by taking advantage of its interactive installations, games and audio-visual attractions. You can even see a simulation of the Big Bang, as well as the changes that mankind has undergone during its evolution. You can also explore other technological advances and the history of the universe in the Cosmos, Earth, Anthropocene, Mornings and Now sections.

Samba City

Rio de Janeiro is famous for its fun carnivals, and on the Olympic Boulevard you're sure to come across samba shows in the street. However, there is a special place to soak up the Carioca culture. It's a six-minute taxi ride from the museum, and there are also metro and bus routes in the area. Samba City is a complex of buildings housing the most important samba schools in the region.

If you plan to visit the city at the beginning of the year, you may find parades and the election of the Carnival Queen. It's one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro, in fact you can watch the carnival shows at the samba schools, as practices are organised all year round. It's the perfect way to dance samba carioca and soak up the local culture.

Ethnic Mural

The Mural of Ethnicities or We Are All Um is an imprint left in the city as a reminder of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. It measures approximately 3,000 square metres and is the work of Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra. It is famous for being the largest graffiti in the world, so it is a must-see during your stay in Brazil. When you look closely, you'll see faces representing the native peoples of different continents.

Specifically, it's the five Olympic rings showing the communities of Huli (Oceania), Mursi (Africa), Kayin (Asia), Supi (Europe) and Tapajós (America). It is one of the most interesting spots in the port area, where you can take pictures to remember. The best tours of Rio de Janeiro usually include this stop and also allow you to get to know the history in detail. This mural is an eight-minute taxi ride from Samba City, but there is also a bus line connecting the two locations.

Sugarloaf

To relax in the late afternoon, you can climb the Sugarloaf Mountain located thirty minutes from the Mural of Ethnicities. Leaving the Olympic Boulevard behind, you can discover an interesting crag on the heights of Rio de Janeiro. Specifically, it is located at the entrance of Guanabara Bay and is a famous Brazilian landmark that you cannot miss.

You can take the cable car up the hill and enjoy the panoramic views, as well as a quick stop at Morro de Urca, where there are souvenir shops. At the top you can try the traditional caipirinha, an alcoholic drink that will keep you warm. You can also reach the top by climbing or trekking. It is a very busy place, so I recommend you book your tickets to Rio de Janeiro's Sugarloaf Mountain in advance.

There are still plenty of things to see and do in the city, as there is a wide range of entertainment on offer. You can't miss one of the best museums in Rio de Janeiro, known as the Flamenco Museum. Also, between the centre and the port area you will have the opportunity to pass by the Municipal Theatre, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Maracana Stadium.

Municipal Theatre

Another historic building not to be missed is the Municipal Theatre, a place with impressive architecture, where some of the best events in Rio de Janeiro take place, such as ballets, opera shows, plays and more. Thiscultural stop will take you to see a local landmark built around 1905.

Concerts are also organised, as well as guided tours of the facilities from 4 euros per person. The advantage of walking the corridors of this building with a professional is to learn about its history and the main function of each space. In the Municipal Theatre you can take a look at the main hall and its foyer, where stained glass and Venetian mosaics abound with onyx, bronze and marble details. If you want something to eat, you can go to the restaurant whose façade has statues inspired by the ancient city of Persepolis.

San Sebastián Cathedral

Five minutes from the theatre, you will find the Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro or the Cathedral of San Sebastian. It has a particular pyramid-shaped façade, with no dome or bell tower. I recommend you visit the underground part, where the museum that houses the history of this emblematic building is hidden. If you go by car, you can take advantage of the 24-hour car park.

You can visit it from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., free of charge, and explore the brightly coloured stained glass windows in different parts of the building. Note that it is the oldest cathedral in Rio de Janeiro and has a capacity of approximately 20,000 people. It houses the throne of Dom Pedro II, the baptismal font of the Brazilian royal family and artefacts from Pope John Paul II's visit to the country.

Flamenco Museum

To close the first day, you can visit the Flamenco Museum located less than twenty-five minutes from the cathedral. As it is usually rush hour in the afternoon, I recommend you take a taxi as the museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Here you will find the collection of the Flamengo football club: one of the most famous Brazilian teams, where football fans will have a great time.

On the premises you will find trophies, jerseys and photographs, you can tour it on your own or book a guided tour from 22 euros, where you will learn about the history of the team. The Flamengo Club also has other disciplines with an interesting history, such as swimming, water polo, tennis, basketball, volleyball, artistic gymnastics, wrestling and more.

Maracana Stadium

A visit to the Maracana Stadium, considered the city's football temple, is a must on your itinerary. It is an icon of the region, where the football activities of Rio de Janeiro take place. I recommend you to visit it, as football stars such as Pelé and Ronaldo have played in the stadium, as well as artistic events of The Rolling Stone, Frank Sinatra, Madonna and more.

If you are looking for things to see and do in Rio de Janeiro in August, I suggest you take advantage of a guided tour of its facilities: specifically from February to August the national football season takes place. On this tour you will be able to see the changing rooms, press room and more. Please note that getting from the museum to the stadium will take you approximately 25 minutes by taxi.

Christ the Redeemer

To end the day, nothing better than climbing one of the most emblematic sites in Rio de Janeiro: Christ the Redeemer. It is a very special monument that sits atop Corcovado Hill, offering breathtaking views. The main attraction is the statue that protects the Carioca city elevated 710 metres above the sea, however you can also visit the Botanical Garden that has native species and flora brought from Western India.

This place is located thirty minutes away from the Maracana Stadium, the best options are to walk up the trails, take a minivan, take advantage of the best tours to Christ the Redeemer or take the cog railway. The Corcovado train is a fast and safe adventure ideal if you are travelling with your family, allowing you to visit at your own pace and without queues. You can see the city from different angles for around 30 euros.