Spending 5 Days in Rio de Janeiro gives you just enough time to slip into the city’s rhythm - the acai bowl breakfasts, the lazy beach days, the music drifting out of neighbourhood bars, and those spectacular sunsets.
Over two trips, we’ve gathered our favourite ways to experience Rio through its food, beaches, design, music, and iconic sights.
If you’re wondering what to do in Rio de Janeiro in 5 days, this 5 day itinerary brings together the city’s biggest icons along with fun, local hot spots.
5 Days in Rio de Janeiro
Day 1: Spend a beach day the Carioca way in Leblon, watch the sunset over Ipanema Beach, dine at a Brazilian-French steakhouse and see a Bossa Nova show. Day 2: Walk up the Escadaria Selarón and explore Santa Teresa's bohemian streets. Day 3: Enjoy breakfast with Copacabana views, scooter to Leme Beach, ride the Sugarloaf cablecar, relax on a tiny beach below the mountain, and end the night in Botafogo. Day 4: Shop Brazilian designers, enjoy a midday retreat at a historic mansion, ride the cog train to Christ the Redeemer, and watch the sunset from a quiet seaside neighbourhood. Day 5: Boat to Ocya Ilha for a lagoon-side lunch, relax on Praia do Pepino as hang gliders land on the sand, and enjoy dinner and live music at a local hot spot in Laranjeiras |
5 Days in Rio de Janeiro
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Day 1
Spend a beach day the Carioca way in Leblon, watch the sunset over Ipanema Beach, dine at a Brazilian-French steakhouse and see a Bossa Nova show
Start your morning with an açaí bowl
Ease into your first morning in Rio with one of the city’s most beloved rituals: an açaí bowl.
We typically start our day at Tapí Tapioca - their açaí is pure and naturally sweet with no fillers.
Get the full works with banana, chia seeds, Brazil nuts and granola added on top.
Pick out something for the beach at Rio’s minimalist swimwear boutique
Wearing my new bathing suit and beach dress from Haight
From Tapí, wander a few blocks over to Haight, Rio’s minimalist swimwear brand.
Their sculptural suits, earthy tones, and cave-like interior make it feel more like stepping into an art gallery than a store.
I ended up buying a swimsuit and a net dress and was so excited that I wore them to the beach the same day.
Our favourite location is inside Shopping Leblon - it feels a little funny recommending a mall, but this boutique is a gem.
Spend a beach day the Carioca way in Leblon
It’s time for the beach! Leblon Beach became our favourite beach in the city with its relaxed, local atmosphere.
It's less chaotic than touristy Copacabana and has fewer vendors than Ipanema.
Rent an umbrella and two chairs (about $7 USD for the whole day) and settle in. We loved ordering fresh coconuts and snacks right from our stand and watching Cariocas glide in and out of the waves.
🏖️ Top Tip: Sit near Posto 11 for the best people-watching.
Have lunch in the sand at La Carioca en La Playa
For lunch, stroll down the sand to La Carioca en La Playa, our go-to beach kiosk in Rio.
Their ceviche and sweet potato chips were so good we kept coming back for more.
Grab one of the tables in the sand so you can sink your toes in while you eat their fresh, Peruvian dishes.
Watch the sunset from Arpoador Rock
As the afternoon fades, make your way toward Arpoador Rock, one of the most iconic sunset spots in Rio.
Everyone gathers here, and when the sun dips behind the Dois Irmãos mountains, the crowd claps. It's one of those iconic Rio moments you have to experience.
Treat yourself to a Brazilian steak dinner at CT Boucherie
After sunset, get ready for dinner and dine at CT Boucherie, one of our favourite steak experiences in the city.
It blends classic Brazilian barbecue with a French-style steakhouse concept. The rotating sides are half the fun, and the Brazilian sparkling pairs perfectly with everything.
End your night with live bossa nova at Little Club
To wrap up the night, slip into Little Club at Beco das Garrafas for a bossa nova performance.
This intimate venue played a huge role in the genre’s early days in the ’60s, and it almost feels like stepping into a time capsule.
If Flavia Dantas is on the lineup, don’t miss her. She sounds just like all those classic bossa nova records!
🎶 To dive deeper into the genre’s history, join a bossa nova tour with a local musician who’ll walk you through the same streets where The Girl from Ipanema was born.Day 2
Walk up the Escadaria Selarón and explore Santa Teresa’s bohemian streets
Walk up the colourful Selarón steps
Escadaria Selarón
After another morning acai bowl, head to Escadaria Selarón, the vibrant mosaic staircase created by artist Jorge Selarón over more than two decades.
They’re the famous steps featured in Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams’ Beautiful music video.
Walk into Santa Teresa and grab a caipirinha at Bar do Serginho
Bar de Serginho in Santa Teresa
At the top of the steps, hang a left and walk into Santa Teresa, Rio’s bohemian neighbourhood. It’s full of crumbling mansions, leafy graffiti splashed streets and colourful facades.
Your first stop is Bar do Serginho, a tiny bodega-style bar with plastic tables that spill onto the street.
We grabbed a caipirinha and sat outside watching people pop in and out. It’s a simple place, but it captures the spirit of Santa Teresa perfectly.
If you haven’t heard of a caipirinha, it’s made with cachaça, muddled lime, and sugar. It’s Brazil’s national cocktail and one of the most refreshing drinks you can have on a hot day.
Have a treetop lunch at Aprazível
For lunch, make your way to Aprazível, one of the city’s most beautiful restaurants. The walk is about 20 minutes, but scenic with a lot to look at.
Perched in the treetops with open-air terraces, it’s an idyllic spot for regional Brazilian dishes and sweeping views over the neighbourhood.
We especially loved the (slow-cooked pork from the Minas Gerais region) and the pão de queijo (warm, chewy Brazilian cheese bread).
Definitely book ahead, it's a popular place.
Explore Santa Teresa's creative shops
The bohemian Santa Teresa neighbourhood
After lunch, wander deeper into Santa Teresa, popping into the quirky shops that catch your eye. You'll find lots of boutiques along Rua Paschoal Carlos Magno.
When you’re ready for a break, stop into Indecente Cafe, a tiny, artsy coffee shop tucked right in the heart of the neighbourhood.
It’s a great place to cool off with an iced coffee and take in the creative energy before continuing your exploring.
Dine at Zola, a neighbourhood favourite for Rio’s best Neapolitan pies
For dinner, head to Zola Pizza, our favourite pizza place in Rio.
They make true Neapolitan-style pies with Italian tomatoes, blistered crusts and that perfect chew.
The space is cozy and creative, with a mix of locals and visitors. If you’re visiting on a Monday, they also host a live jazz night.
See more non-touristy things to do in Rio.
Choose your nightlife spot for the evening in Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa's lively nightlife
After dinner, you have two great options:
If it’s Saturday, head to Samba dos Guimarães at Mercado das Pulgas. This was one of the liveliest samba events we found, with locals dancing in circles around ice buckets of beer, and singing every word. It was a lot of fun.
If you’re visiting on another night, go to Bar Novooeste, a lively local bar with fun music and an inclusive atmosphere.
See our list of the 12 Best Bars in Rio.
Day 3
Enjoy breakfast with Copacabana views, scooter to Leme Beach, ride the cablecar up Sugarloaf, relax on a tiny beach below the mountain, and end the night in Botafogo
Enjoy a dreamy breakfast at Café 18 do Fort
Start your morning at Café 18 do Forte, tucked inside the historic Forte de Copacabana.
Locals say the morning light is the best here. The whole terrace glows with soft sun, and you get sweeping views of Copacabana Beach with Sugarloaf rising in the distance.
Ride an electric scooter down Copacabana Beach to Leme Beach
Walking path on left and bike path on right | Quiosque Mureta do Leme
After breakfast, hop on an electric scooter and cruise down Copacabana's beachfront path to Leme Beach, the quieter more local end.
You'll zip past volleyball courts, beach kiosks, and sunbathers the entire way.
Park your scooter at Quiosque Mureta do Leme, a relaxed kiosk perched on a rocky bluff with views across the entire Copacabana curve. We stopped here for a fresh coconut.
You can easily rent scooters from the Whoosh app. You'll see them parked all around the beach.
Take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain
From Leme Beach, take an Uber to Sugarloaf Mountain and ride the cable car to the top.
🚡 You can easily purchase cable car tickets for Sugarloaf Mountain with GetYourGuide. We like how you can cancel up to 24 hours before for a full refund.Take your time exploring both levels, but don’t miss the staircase at the back that leads to Classico Sunset Club Urca. It’s tucked away, so many people don’t realize it’s there.
We loved settling into the comfy chairs with a fresh juice and soaking up the panoramic views of the city.
See more Instagrammable places in Rio.
Relax at Praia Vermelha at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain
Spend the rest of the afternoon unwinding at Praia Vermelha (Red Beach), the small, scenic stretch at the base of Sugarloaf.
The colourful umbrellas, calm water, and towering cliffs make it one of Rio’s prettiest beaches. It’s a great spot to cool off after the cable car ride.
Explore Botafogo's cool nightlife scene
In the evening, venture over to Botafogo, one of Rio’s coolest neighbourhoods.
Stop for bites and cocktails at Quartinho Bar, our favourite cocktail bar in the city. It sits between two streets, filled with mismatched chairs and erotic art, and attracts a fun, edgy crowd.
On Thursdays, the space turns into a dance floor with a resident DJ.
Afterwards, walk around the lively Botofogo neighbourhood (Rua Fernandes Guimarães and Rua Arnaldo Quintela) and explore more of its quirky bars.
See more things to do at night in Rio.
Day 4
Shop Brazilian designers, enjoy a midday retreat at a historic mansion, ride the cog train to Christ the Redeemer, and watch the sunset from a quiet seaside neighbourhood.
Shop Brazil’s contemporary designers in Ipanema
Nannacay | Handred
Keep the açaí ritual going with another bowl for breakfast, then set out to explore a few of Brazil’s contemporary designers in Ipanema.
Start at Handred, a unisex label with relaxed tailoring and unique prints. Ari picked up patterned button-ups and linen pants.
Next, to Nannacay, for gorgeous handwoven bags made by artisans across South America. I bought an evening bag here I just love.
Lastly, check out Osklen for sustainable, coastal-inspired pieces.
Take in the scenery at Parque Lage’s historic mansion
Uber to Parque Lage for lunch at Plage Cafe, set inside a romantic Roman-style mansion with a reflecting pool and views of Christ the Redeemer in the distance.
It’s one of the most atmospheric cafe settings in Rio and was also featured in Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams' Beautiful music video.
Ride the cog train up to Christ the Redeemer
Now it’s time for the city’s most iconic landmark: Christ the Redeemer.
The cog train is the most scenic and relaxing way to reach the Corcovado summit. It winds through the lush forest and opens up to sweeping views as you climb.
At the top, you’ll stand face-to-face with the 30-metre Art Deco statue and take in some of the best panoramic views of the city.
✔️ Top Tip: You don’t need a printed voucher despite what some sites say - showing the PDF on our phone worked for us. They did ask to see the credit card used to book the tickets, so have that ready.
🚞 You can easily purchase tickets for the cog train with GetYourGuide.Watch the sunset along the seawall at Bar Urca
For sunset, make your way to Bar Urca in the quiet seaside neighbourhood of Urca. It's been a local gathering spot since the 30s.
Skip the indoor tables and order your freezing cold beer and seafood bites from the takeout window instead.
Locals sit along the low seawall with their feet dangling over the water, watching fishing boats drift by as the sun sinks behind the mountains.
Day 5
Boat to Ocya Ilha for a lagoon-side lunch, relax on Praia do Pepino as hang gliders land on the sand, and enjoy dinner and live music at a local hot spot in Laranjeiras
Escape the city for a lagoon-side lunch at Ocya Ilha
Ocya Ilha in Barra da Tijuca
Spend your last day escaping the city for a relaxing lunch at Ocya Ilha, a Michelin-recognized seafood restaurant set on a tranquil lagoon in Barra da Tijuca.
Getting there feels like a little adventure:
- Take an Uber to Pier Para Embarcações - Acesso Para Ilhas. We had no issues getting Ubers to and from here.
- Hop on the quick R$7 (per person) boat shuttle straight to the restaurant’s dock.
Once you arrive, settle into a coveted lagoon-side table shaded by palms.
The menu highlights fresh catches and dishes smoked on-site, which gives everything this incredible depth of flavour.
It's a popular place, so book your table in advance.
😋 Must Eat: the shrimp bread and deboned whole fish with chilled white wine
Relax on Praia do Pepino and watch the hang gliders land
Hang gliders landing at Praia do Pepino | Musa Cafe overlooking the beach
After lunch, stop at Praia do Pepino, a quiet local beach where you can watch hang gliders drift and land right on the sand.
There are hardly any vendors here, and the crowds are small, making it the perfect post-lunch slowdown.
Our favourite kiosk on Praia do Pepino was Musa Cafe, a relaxed beachfront spot. We ordered an iced coffee and watched the hang gliders descend.
Find your trip with live music at Armazém Cardosão
In the evening, make your way to the up-and-coming Laranjeiras neighbourhood for dinner and live music at Armazém Cardosão.
Set inside a former 1950s neighbourhood warehouse, it feels like a slice of old Rio with a creative edge. When we went, the crowd was effortlessly cool and a mix of all ages.
Tuesdays have lively jazz sessions and Thursdays have high-energy samba.
Get there early, just after 5 pm, to grab a table and dinner before the music starts - it fills up fast, and once the music begins, the whole place becomes a street party.
Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro
We recommend basing yourself in Ipanema. It hits the sweet spot between local and lively, with some of Rio’s best beaches, bars, and restaurants, yet far less touristy than Copacabana.
Staying close to the beach also means you can leave your valuables behind and enjoy long beach days without worrying about your stuff.
Our top picks near Ipanema Beach:
modern rooms and a rooftop bar just steps from Ipanema BeachBest way to get around Rio
Uber is the easiest and safest way to get around Rio. It’s affordable, reliable, and almost always cheaper than taxis - plus the air-conditioning is a big bonus.
Don't miss our list of 14 Things to Avoid in Rio de Janeiro.
Special events in Rio to look out for
Rio has some incredible recurring events that only happen on certain days - worth planning around if they line up with your trip.
The Maze jazz party (one night per month)
Held high in the hills, this monthly jazz night is one of the coolest experiences in Rio. A full ensemble plays until late, and the views across the city are incredible.
Check The Maze’s Instagram page for the exact date - it changes each month.
Live music nights at Armazém Cardosão (Tuesdays & Thursdays)
This neighbourhood warehouse-turned-bar in Laranjeiras has become one of the city’s best spots for live music.
- Tuesdays host lively jazz sessions
- Thursdays are for high-energy samba
Local DJ night at Quartinho Bar (Thursdays)
Quartinho Bar in Botafogo turns into one of the neighbourhood’s liveliest spots on Thursdays. They clear out some of the tables for a packed DJ set, and the creative crowd keeps the energy going late.
Samba dos Guimarães (Saturdays)
If your visit includes a Saturday, make your way to Mercado das Pulgas in Santa Teresa. Locals gather for a traditional samba circle - one of the most authentic samba experiences in the city.
Ipanema hippie market (Sundays)
Every Sunday at Praça General Osorio, the long-running open-air Feira Hippie de Ipanema fills the square with artisans selling handmade jewellery, colourful crafts, and one-of-a-kind souvenirs. It’s relaxed, friendly, and perfect for gifts.
Enjoy your 5 Days in Rio!
Check out our list of 21 fun things to do in Rio de Janeiro.
Get started on planning your trip to Rio de Janeiro
- 🛏️ Accommodation: Booking.com is our go-to for finding places to stay. Sort by top reviewed.
- 🚆 Cog Train: Reserve your train ticket to see Christ the Redeemer
- 🚡 Cable Car: Reserve your cable car ticket for Sugarloaf Mountain
- 🛫 Flights: use Skyscanner to compare flights across different airlines (we recommend booking direct with the airline however)
Don't forget about travel insurance
👩⚕️ For affordable travel insurance: go with SafetyWing - it's budget-friendly and you can even buy it while abroad, but note the max medical coverage is $250,000 USD. 🏥 For comprehensive travel insurance: go with World Nomads - it's more expensive, but the max emergency medical coverage is $5-10 million, depending on the plan.Save and pin this 5 Days in Rio de Janeiro Itinerary for later:
