Best Day Trips from Rio de Janeiro

If you plan to visit Rio de Janeiro for several days and, in addition to the beaches and cultural attractions of Brazil's former capital, you also want to see the sights nearby, let me tell you that this city is an ideal destination to use as your base. From there you can discover paradisiacal beaches, mountain trails and the surrounding architecture.

Some of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro include a trip to Arraial Do Cabo, discover Pedra de Gávea on a hiking tour, visit Angra dos Reis, take a full day trip to Buzios, visit Petrópolis and see the picturesque Niterói neighbourhood and the Niemeyer Route, which will take you through the main buildings designed by the renowned Brazilian architect.

If you're in Rio de Janeiro and you're looking for a coastal adventure that will surprise you, you can't miss the opportunity to take a trip to Arraial do Cabo. This beach tongue, located about three hours from Rio, is a coastal paradise that has become one of the most visited places in Brazil.

While Arraial do Cabo is a popular spot and an established town, it is the beaches, some of which are considered among the most beautiful in the world, that make this destination famous. From Praia do Forno, with its crystal clear waters and white sand, to Praia Grande, known for its sunsets, in Arraial you will find beach options for all tastes.

Also, during your tour you can't miss exploring Praia dos Anjos and its picturesque harbour, where you can enjoy some of the best boat trips in town. Scuba diving and snorkelling are also popular activities here, especially during the summer, when you can discover the colourful coral reefs in crystal clear waters.

These excursions are usually full day trips and include return transfers with hotel pick-up and drop-off in Rio de Janeiro. You will also have free time to sunbathe, swim at the beaches and explore some of the sites on your own.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 47 euros per person.
• Duration: about 14 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to see one of the most famous sites around Rio de Janeiro and some of what are considered the best beaches in the world.
• Disadvantages of these tours: Due to the long journey from Rio de Janeiro these tours usually start in the early hours of the morning.

If you are a nature lover or want to live an adventurous experience, one of the best alternatives from Rio de Janeiro is to opt for a hiking tour to Pedra de Gávea. This site marks one of the highest peaks in the region and is about an hour's drive from the centre of Rio. This trip will take you to the top of this rock formation, where you can take in panoramic views.

The trail leading to the top of Pedra de Gávea goes through the Tijuca rainforest, where you can briefly enter the lush Brazilian vegetation. Once at the top, you can admire the skyline of Rio de Janeiro, its iconic beaches such as Copacabana and Ipanema, the Maracana Stadium and Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Hill.

The Pedra de Gávea is also known for its large armchair-shaped monolith, which provides an ideal place to sit and take in the scenery in a relaxed way. However, bear in mind that the Pedra de Gávea hike is considered risky due to the complexity of the ascent to the top, so be sure to follow the advice of the instructors throughout the hike.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 51 euros per person.
• Duration: about 8 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: it is a different alternative to get to know the jungle that surrounds Rio de Janeiro and also to discover panoramic views of the city.
• Disadvantages of these tours: it is considered a dangerous experience and not recommended for people with reduced mobility.

Angra dos Reis is one of the best known and most visited places around Rio de Janeiro. Especially famous for its archipelago of Ilha Grande, it offers a tropical paradise just over two hours from the centre of Rio. If you choose to tour this destination with an organised excursion, you can delegate the organisation of transfers and internal transfers to reach the islands once you are in Angra.

Ilha Grande, despite what its name suggests, is actually a conglomerate of more than 300 islands with paradisiacal beaches. Here you can go scuba diving, snorkelling or kayaking to discover the marine life and underwater treasures of the region. Lopes Mendes beach also offers ideal conditions for a surfing experience.

These excursions usually include a tour of the historic centre of Angra dos Reis. Its cobblestone streets, colonial buildings and the Santa Luzia Church reflect the region's historical heritage. If you plan to visit Rio de Janeiro in December, Ilha Grande offers some of the best alternatives for spending Christmas and New Year's Eve there.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 47 euros per person.
• Duration: about 14 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to know the natural beauty and cultural richness of one of the most visited places around Rio de Janeiro.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: they do not include enough free time for you to visit islands other than those included in the tour.

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Rio de Janeiro during your trip, a good alternative is to take refuge in the tranquil attractions of Búzios. This seaside town is about a three-hour drive from Rio and offers picturesque beaches, cobblestone streets and a laid-back atmosphere that captivated the legendary model Brigitte Bardot, who made it her summer resort, making it a world-famous destination.

The beaches of Búzios are the main attraction of this coastal area. Among the most famous are Praia de Geribá, perfect for surfing; Praia de Ferradura, with its crystal clear waters and horseshoe shape; and Praia da Ferradurinha, a small hidden beach ideal for snorkelling and stand up paddle. If you want to check out the central resorts, you can visit Praia de João Fernandes and Praia da Tartaruga.

Búzios also has a picturesque historic centre known as Rua das Pedras. Here you can explore cobbled streets lined with shops, restaurants and bars. As most tours usually include free time to do activities on your own, you can also opt to take a stroll along the coast of Búzios.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 47 euros per person.
• Duration: about 12 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will be able to get away from the hustle and bustle and crowds of Rio de Janeiro's beaches.
• Disadvantages of these tours: the round trip is long, so it can be a tiring experience at the end of the day.

If you're looking for a cultural and historical getaway from Rio de Janeiro and an alternative experience, a trip to Petrópolis may be an ideal choice. Petrópolis is about an hour's drive from central Rio and is known for its rich history, architecture and its nickname as the Imperial City.

In Petrópolis you can visit the Imperial Museum, once the summer palace of Emperor Pedro II of Brazil. Here you can tour the halls, the art collection and the display of historical artefacts that will take you back to the country's imperial era. During these tours you can also visit the Cathedral of São Pedro de Alcântara, a neo-Gothic church that houses the remains of the emperor and his family.

Petrópolis is also famous for its colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. Rua Teresa is known for its fashion boutiques and handicraft shops, where you can buy souvenirs and mementos. You can also take a stroll through the Jardim dos Mayores, a park with preserved gardens and statues that offers a peaceful atmosphere to relax.

The city is also famous for its craft beer, so some tours also include a visit to Cervejaria Bohemia, one of the most famous bottling plants in Brazil, where you can learn about the brewing process and taste some of the local varieties.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 40 euros per person.
• Duration: between 10 and 12 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will get to know an alternative profile of the surroundings of Rio de Janeiro.
• Disadvantages of these tours: the price does not usually include entrance to the museums and the cathedral.

If you want to really get to know the cultural spirit of Rio de Janeiro, you can't miss a trip to Niterói, which will allow you to follow the Niemeyer Route. This sister city of Rio, located just across the Guanabara Bay, is home to a number of iconic buildings designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, which is one of the city's finest museums.

The MAC 's futuristic building resembles a flying saucer that rises up on a hill with panoramic views, giving you a different perspective of Rio de Janeiro, similar to the best boat tours in the city that take you around Guanabara Bay, but from the mainland.

The Niemeyer Route also includes a stop at the Teatro Popular de Niterói, a circular building with a distinctive roof that resembles a circus canvas. This cultural space hosts various performances and artistic events throughout the year, and its avant-garde design makes it an attraction in its own right.

In addition to the Niemeyer-designed buildings, the tour also takes you to Praia de Icaraí, a beach in Niterói where you can relax and enjoy the breeze from the bay. Typically, these tours also include the Museum of Tomorrow, which was designed by Santiago Calatrava but inspired by Niemeyer's work and is an ideal place to explore science, technology and the future of humanity.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 65 euros per person.
• Duration: between 4 and 5 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: the price usually includes entrance to museums and attractions, giving you a complete cultural profile of Niteroi.
• Disadvantages of these tours: you won't have much free time to explore the sites of Niterói outside the Niemeyer Route.

If you want to take a tour from Rio de Janeiro to the surrounding areas of the city you can book the tours in advance or you can also buy them once you are in the destination.

However, if you plan to visit Rio de Janeiro in December or during the summer months, which are part of the high season, I advise you to book your tours in advance to secure your spot, freeze your fare and be able to organise an itinerary for your trip, as most of the activities require full-day tours.

As a first step, if you plan to visit Rio de Janeiro during the high season, it's best to book your excursions in advance to avoid losing your place on these experiences, and also to get better prices, as rates tend to be dynamic and increase for last-minute bookings, especially when demand is high.

I also advise you to organise an itinerary and plan your tours outside the city. This will help you not to miss out on any of the best activities in Rio de Janeiro, especially since tours around the ancient capital of Brazil often take all day, which could interfere with a short stay in this destination. If that's the case, here's a list of activities to help you get to know the city in 3 days.

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most famous cities in Brazil, it has some of the best beaches in the country, outstanding museums and entertaining activities, but if you choose to visit also the surroundings of this city you will be able to get to know from beautiful beaches to some of the architectural and cultural wonders of the country. It will also allow you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of Rio.

On the other hand, some of the excursions around Rio de Janeiro will show you the city from a different perspective, such as the tour of Niteroi and the Niemeyer Route. In this experience you will be able to contemplate the panoramic views of the city and Guanabara Bay from a different perspective. Also, if you plan to visit Rio during Christmas or New Year's Eve, in some destinations, such as Angra dos Reis, you can find alternatives to discover the festive spirit of Christmas Eve in Brazil.

The main advantages of taking a guided tour and not touring these destinations around Rio de Janeiro on your own are twofold: comfort and safety. These organised options will be more beneficial for you because you will be able to delegate the organisation of transport and tours to the expert local guide, which will help you avoid the chaotic traffic of Brazil and the crowds of tourists that usually characterise this destination.

It will also be safer for you because the transfers and organisation will be handled by experienced guides. All of this will result in a more relaxed and comfortable experience that will allow you to save time during your stay in Rio de Janeiro, while enjoying all the different aspects of the city and its periphery.