RIO DE JANEIRO
The best of the marvellous city.
The 15 most popular historical tours in Rio de Janeiro, with prices, run times and who you book through. The ones worth building a day around, and what each actually gets you.
Half-day guided tour blending Rio’s historic center, Lapa aqueducts, and Santa Teresa art stops, ending with big bay views.
Most Popular“Excellent private tour of Santa Teresa and surrounding areas..”
Walk Rio’s Little Africa with rooftop views, samba origins at Pedra do Sal, and Valongo’s Cais do Valongo and Hanging Garden.
“I did an African Heritage tour. My tour guide was Luana. The tour was so amazing and educational. Luana was so lovely, enthusiastic and kind. Luana even waited with me to get my uber, when the tour was over, which was so sweet and caring. I am so glad that I came to this tour.…”
Walk Rio’s Little Africa route from Santa Rita to Valongo and Pedra do Sal, with museum stops on Afro-Brazilian heritage in 3.5 hours.
“We really enjoyed this tour, so much that we believe it should be a must see like the Christ and Sugarloaf. Our tour guide was amazing and very knowledgeable about presenting what black culture is like in Brazil. He also teaches and brought us to a location that he teaches at ,even though the place…”
Private 3-hour Centro walking tour linking Rio’s history from Theatro Municipal to Paço Imperial, with flexible stops and free admissions.
“Amazing tour in Centro! Danielle was a super guide who took us through Rio’s exciting history and architechture over the past 200 years. Highly recommended!”
A 4-hour Old Rio walk with free-entry churches, São Bento art, Imperial Palace sights, Olympic Mauá Square, and hotel transfers included.
“JB was a great tour guide- very energetic and well- informed. He gave us a good introduction to Rio downtown and we enjoyed walking around that area. Worth- taking”
Half-day downtown Rio walk with hotel pickup, Olympic Avenue sights, and the interactive Museu do Amanhã.
“Nice tour going around the neighborhood. It was a warm day and we just arrived the night before from a long 26-hour flight so we were both a bit tired. We also expected to see more of the Olympic site. Our guide Gabriella was nice and informative though.”
4-hour Downtown Rio tour with Valongo Wharf, Eduardo Kobra mural, Museum of Tomorrow, monastery, Cauldron, Praça XV, and Confeitaria Colombo.
“Emma was a great and friendly guide. We had a great time touring the locations in the tour and loved the flexibility of touring the museum of tomorrow at our own pace. Highly recommend for those wanting to see a different side of Rio not covered in many other tours of the city”
Petrópolis imperial landmarks plus a guided Bohemia brewery visit with three beer tastings, museum stops, and buffet lunch.
“Tanto a visita ao museu imperial, quanto a visita à Bohemia fazem deste passeio uma experiência incrível.”
Walk Rio’s Centro, Lapa, and Santa Teresa with cathedral stops, Selarón steps, Lapa arches, a yellow tram ride, and drinks included.
“Superbe découverte du centre ville. Yvan nous a fait découvrir l’histoire de Rio pendant une journée. Merci encore à lui pour toutes ces explications. Je recommande vivement”
Walk Rio’s Centro and Lapa with a small-group guide, museum tickets included, and major landmarks like Escadaria Selarón for $40.
“Really enjoyed the free walking tour in Rio. Our guide was really friendly and welcoming and very informative of the area. The tour took 3 hours but felt very quick in a good way as I really enjoyed it. There was time for a quick toilet break and drink refill which was good. The guide…”
Historic Petrópolis day trip: Imperial Museum, neo-Gothic cathedral, Crystal Palace, Rua Teresa shopping, and a buffet lunch.
“Petropolis was interesting, very different to Rio with historic palace etc. Bohemia beer tour of brewery incredible bargain for seniors at 19 reals (£3)!!”
See Rio through Afro-Brazilian food, music, and history: MAR, Pretos Novos, Valongo, Pedra do Sal, and sunset on Prainha.
“Isabella is the absolute best! She was incredibly knowledgeable about everything we explored on the tour. But what I appreciated most is you can tell she’s really passionate about showing the world Brazil’s African heritage. Our group’s favorite moment was walking through a favela and learning the history of favelas from Isabella. We’ve all heard…”
A 3-hour Jewish heritage tour of Rio with hotel pickup, synagogues, a museum, and grand temple interiors, plus viewpoint stops.
“We really weren’t impressed with the tour. Only shown synagogues and a community centre (which we had asked not to go to). Too many tips/donations requested”
A 3-hour small-group walk through Rio’s historical downtown and Lapa, with interior visits to top landmarks.
“Interesting, great information, our guide was very knowledgeable. Took us to places we wouldn’t have found if we were walking around on her own!”
Private Petrópolis day trip from Rio: imperial palaces, São Pedro Cathedral, Santos Dumont house, Bohemia tastings, Rua Teresa.
“Imperdível! Guia Newton muito atencioso e conhecedor. Petrópolis tem uma história arquitetônica riquíssima, vale muito a pena conhecer a Cidade Imperial.”
From Christ the Redeemer and the Sugarloaf cable car to the beaches, the rainforest and the Lapa nights, every way to spend a day in the Cidade Maravilhosa.
