Everywhere you go in Rio, you're surrounded by colour, from fiery sunsets and rows of beach umbrellas to candy-coloured buildings and bold street art in its bohemian neighbourhoods.
In this guide, we list 7 of the most Instagrammable places in Rio de Janeiro for the perfect photo op.
7 Most Instagrammable Places in Rio de Janeiro
1. Catch golden hour at Ipanema Beach and Arpoador Rock
While Ipanema Beach is famously linked to the Bossa Nova classic "The Girl from Ipanema," it’s also one of the best places in Rio to watch the sunset. Spend the day soaking up the sun and linger until golden hour.
One sunset rolls around, head to nearby Arpoador Rock by Posto 7 for sweeping views of the beach, city skyline, and distant Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers) mountains. It's one of the most photogenic scenes in Rio.
2. Snap a classic shot on the Selarón steps
The colourful Escadaria Selarón was the lifelong project of Chilean artist Jorge Selarón, who fell in love with Rio and spent over 20 years transforming the staircase into a vibrant mosaic.
You might recognize the tiled steps from the music video for “Beautiful” by Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams. Grab a seat on one of the bright steps for a fun, iconic photo.
3. Walk the bohemian streets of Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro
Perched on a hillside overlooking downtown Rio, Santa Teresa is one of the city’s most charming and bohemian neighbourhoods. Once home to wealthy aristocrats, the area is now known for its crumbling colonial mansions, colourful facades and creative spirit.
As you wander its cobblestone streets, you’ll come across eye-catching street art, quirky boutique shops, eclectic cafes and bars, and music in the streets.
It’s a photographer’s dream, full of quirky corners and a relaxed artistic energy.
4. Have lunch in a historic mansion at Parque Lage
Grab a coffee and a bite to eat at Plage Cafe, set inside a beautifully restored mansion in Parque Lage - a former private estate turned public park.
In the 1920s, the mansion was redesigned in a Roman style by industrialist Henrique Lage and his wife, Italian opera singer Gabriella Besanzoni, who lived there together.
Today, its courtyard, with a reflecting pool and forest views, is a picture-perfect spot to relax. You can even see Christ the Redeemer in the distance.
5. Take the cog train to Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a sight you don't want to miss.
The most scenic way to reach the top of Corcovado Mountain is by cog train, which winds through lush forest as it climbs to the summit. You can also take a van or hike up, but it was way too hot for us to hike!
At 680 metres above sea level, the summit offers a close-up view of the iconic Art Deco statue, Christ the Redeemer, and a panoramic view of the city and its breathtaking coastline.
Do you need to print out your voucher for the cog train like it says online? Nope! We just showed the PDF on our phone and gave them the voucher code. They did ask to see the credit card used to buy the tickets, so make sure you have that handy.
Best time of day for photos: Head up in the early morning if you want the sun to hit the front of Christ the Redeemer, or go after 3 PM for beautiful light over the cityscape.
Once you’ve snapped your shots, take a break and order some refreshing watermelon at the restaurant overlooking the city. Skip the caipirinhas though, they were the worst we drank in the city.
6. Ride the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain
Hop on the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain for some of the best views in Rio. You’ll take two separate rides to reach the top.
At the top, walk down the stairs at the back to find Classico Sunset Club Urca, a chill bar with marvellous views overlooking Copacabana Beach and the city below.
It’s a great spot to relax in comfy chairs with a fresh juice, coffee, cocktail or appies.
🚡 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.✔️ Top Tip: If you only have time to do Sugarloaf Mountain OR Christ the Redeemer, we would recommend Christ the Redeemer.
The cog train ride offers scenic views on the way up, and at 680 metres above sea level, Corcovado Mountain sits nearly twice as high as Sugarloaf, making it a more dramatic overall experience.
See our full list of 9 fun bars in Rio de Janeiro.
7. Relax at Praia Vermelha below Sugarloaf Mountain
After taking the cable car back down Sugarloaf Mountain, make a stop at nearby Praia Vermelha.
This small, scenic beach sits right at the base of the mountain and offers picture-perfect views of Sugarloaf towering above.
Stretch out under the colourful umbrellas or rent a stand-up paddleboard for a fun way to take in the views from the water.
We hope you enjoyed these Instagrammable spots in Rio!
Bonus: Our Top Accommodation Picks in Rio
We recommend staying in the Ipanema neighbourhood, since it's less touristy than its neighbour, Copacabana, and has an amazing local scene.
Ipanema has some of the best beaches, restaurants and bars in the city. Stay in a hotel or apartment close to Ipanema Beach, so you don’t have to bring your devices and worry about things getting stolen!
Our top hotel picks close to Ipanema Beach:
- Hotel Arpoadar - bright, contemporary rooms next to the beach.
- Ipanema Inn Hotel - a cute boutique hotel half-a-block from the beach.
Get started on planning your trip to Rio de Janeiro
- 💡 Travel tips: see our list of what not to do Rio
- 🏖️ Fun activities: see our list of 9 non-touristy things to do in Rio
- 🛏️ 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 these Instagrammable spots in Rio de Janeiro for later:
Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out our list of Unique Cultural Travel Experiences to inspire your next trip.