Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro
If you're in Rio de Janeiro and you want to explore the top landmarks, don't miss out on this free tour of the historic centre of Rio. You'll love it!
Travel back in time in our Rio Free Walking Tour of Downtown and relive the past while walking through the charming colonial streets of Rio and learning about the four centuries of the history of the city. Join our tour to understand more about the Brazilian culture and society since the colonization until today.
We will visit some of the most important places in Brazilian history as the Imperial Palace and ALERJ , some of the most famous places in Rio as Municipal Theater and Colombo Bakery, and a few hidden gems that we'll keep secret until the tour.
Come on and booking now this tour with us!
Ditch the guidebook and uncover the beating heart of Rio de Janeiro! On this unforgettable walking tour, we'll guide you through a city rich in history, culture, and vibrant energy.
Here's a taste of what you'll experience:
- Cinelandia
- Escadaria Selaron
- Confeitaria Colombo
- Paço Imperial
- Praça XV
And that's just the beginning! Our local guides will share insider stories, hidden gems, and insights that will make you fall in love with Rio in every step. Get ready for a sensory adventure that will awaken your senses and leave you with lasting memories.
Ready to experience the real Rio? Let's take a walk!
PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE DESCRIPTION BEFORE BOOKING.
THIS IS A HISTORY-FOCUSED EXPERIENCE PERFECT FOR THOSE WHO TRULY WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE CITY, ITS CULTURE, AND ITS PAST.
THIS TOUR IS CONDUCTED EXCLUSIVELY IN ENGLISH.
Contribution Info:
This is a tip-based experience (approx. 4.5 hours) with no fixed price.
Ideal for travelers seeking a premium, personal experience.
If you enjoy the tour, a suggested contribution of R$200 is appreciated, but completely optional.
Give what feels right—no pressure.
CASH PREFERRED (BRL, USD, EUR).
FOREIGN BILLS MUST BE IN GOOD CONDITION.
CARDS ARE ALSO ACCEPTED.
This experience combines walking with the VLT tram system, so we are not walking the entire time.
Fares are included.
We use Rio's modern tram system to cover longer distances comfortably. It may sound long, but time flies.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WHERE THE TOUR ENDS, THERE IS NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
YOUR ONLY OPTIONS ARE AN UBER OR A TAXI.
Start: 8:30 AM sharp
Meeting Point:
Cinelandia Starbucks (outside bench)
After booking, please send your WhatsApp number for details.
What makes this tour different?
This is not a "follow-the-umbrella" tour.
It is a dynamic walking + VLT experience blending history, culture, and real local life—guided by someone who truly lives the city.
Expect real stories, cultural insights, and a relaxed, fun vibe with real depth.
Highlights:
Cinelandia • Passeio Publico • Selaron Steps • Arcos da Lapa • Cathedral • Royal Portuguese Reading Room • Saint Francisco of Paula Church • Carioca Square • VLT Ride • Saint Benedict Monastery • VLT Ride Through Maua Square • Kobra Mural • Valongo Wharf.
Max 6 people per tour—reserve early.
Come walk (and ride) Rio like a true Carioca.
✨ Discover Brazil’s History Through the Eyes of Women ✨
Join me for a powerful walking tour that brings to light the stories of women who helped shape Brazil—women often forgotten or overlooked, yet whose legacies live on in the heart of this country.
🌟 What to Expect:
Uncover hidden female figures behind major historical events and explore monuments and public buildings where their stories remain untold. This tour offers a fresh perspective on the city’s past.
📍 Meeting Point: In front of the Obelisk on Avenida Rio Branco, Downtown Rio
🕙 Time: 10:00 a.m.
⏳ Duration: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes
💰 Cost: Tip-based — if you love it, show it!
Come walk with us and experience history differently—through the footsteps of the women who lived it.
SOME IMPORTANT INFO
If you can't attend, please cancel your booking even if it's in the early morning. Don't make me stand there by myself waiting for someone who won't show up!
I do accept walk-ins but please check first if I'll be there (I won't if I don't have any booking here or in another platform)
As you can notice from the reviews, this is not meant to be a funny tour, but I try to be whenever I can haha!
Explore the fascinating history of Little Africa in Rio de Janeiro with our engaging free tour! Embark on a journey through time, walking through the streets where the rich African heritage left its indelible mark on Rio culture. Our tour begins at the historic Praça XV, one of the city's central points.
Praça Mauá, recently revitalized, is the next destination, standing out as a symbol of modernity and tradition, where past and present merge harmoniously. At Largo da Prainha, feel the vibrant and cultural atmosphere that permeates the place, reflecting the African influence in every corner.
The journey continues to the iconic Pedra do Sal, one of the birthplaces of samba, where music and dance celebrate the soul of Rio. Finally, we visit Cais do Valongo, an archaeological site that witnesses the arrival of thousands of Africans to Brazil, today recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This tour offers a deep immersion into the traditions, influences and stories that shaped Rio de Janeiro. Come and enjoy a unique experience that unites past and present, revealing a vibrant Rio full of stories to tell.
Welcome to the beautiful neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca, one of Rio de Janeiro's best zones for beaches, bars, and restaurants. In this tour we will explore some of the most iconic parts of Barra, such as Jardim Oceânico (or Oceanic Garden, and you will soon realize why it is called like this) and the Gigóia Islands, a hidden treasure, considered as Rio de Janeiro's very own Pantanal, where you might get the chance to spot capybaras and crocodiles. All this while exploring the bars for food and drinks around the area!
As we walk around the beach front, we will cross into Olegário Maciel Avenue, a bohemian, gastronomic hub in Barra. There, customers will be able to choose from a plethora of dishes according to their tastes, such as feijoada, picanha (rump steak), carne de sol com aipim na manteiga (sun-dried meat with yucca soaked in butter); or, for the more adventurous, chicken hearts skewers, alongside popular snacks such as pão de queijo and coxinha de galinha, besides much more depending on one´s hunger.
From Olegário Maciel, we continue our march to the ferries and visit the Gigóia Islands, a picturesque part of Rio de Janeiro, often known as the Pantanal (swamps) of the south. The islands also feature many bars and restaurants, where the customers can finish the tour with a refreshing caipirinha or two.
Important notice: there is a small fee for crossing the island (4 reais each way, to be paid exclusively in cash). Food and drinks costs are also extra!
The tour is NOT suitable for vegetarians or vegans (if you want to do the tour but your friend is a vegetarian - vegan, he or she is welcome to tag along and order whatever pleases, but none of those dishes are related to a historical background). The standard tour contains beef, pork and alcohol!
The average lenght of the tour is 3 hours, but be aware that during the peak summer months the restaurants can be quite busy. I do have an agreement with them to serve my group as quickly as possible, but it is beyond my powers when they are very busy during the weekends or holidays. Expect some tours to last 3:30 hours in high season months.
NO HAY TOUR EN ESPAÑOL! Sorry, the tour is already over 3 hours long. There is no remote possibility for me to translate everything I say. Cheers.
A mix of soccer and volleyball techniques brings footvolley, and with this activity, you can practice this sport in its birthplace: Copacabana Beach.
When visiting Brazil, it’s impossible not to talk about the influence of Africa on our culture! Just imagine samba, capoeira, or feijoada, the things that Brazil is known for in the world. All these things have their roots in the African enslaved communities of Brazil! Learn stories about how the Brazilian cultural identity was formed during the years since slavery times until today. Meanwhile, visit important historical & contemporaneous landmarks in this less-visited area of downtown Rio de Janeiro!
Small Africa is the historic home of the Afro-Brazilian community in the Port Region of Rio de Janeiro. The region became known as Little Africa after the slave trade was made illegal in Brazil in 1831 (although the abolition of slavery did not take place until 50 years later). Between 1850 and 1920, freed slaves remained working in the region. Blacks and freed Africans from Bahia or the interior traveled to Little Africa in search of work and a sense of community. Today the area is known as a place of the black resistance.
Places we will cover:
- Praça Mauá
- MAR - Rio Art Museum
- Museu do Amanhã
- Eduardo Kobra Ethnicities Graffiti
- Largo São Francisco da Prainha
- São Francisco da Prainha Church
- Conceição Hill
- Salt Stone (Pedra do Sal)
- Cais do Valongo (Valongo Wharf)
In small groups, we'll take you on a tour of the Santa Teresa neighborhood, which is perched on a hilltop with wonderful bars, shops, and views of the city of Rio de Janeiro.
We will reach the neighborhood on the famous Santa Teresa cable car. We will pass over the Arcos da Lapa, run all the way from the gondola to the end and get off at Largo dos Guimarães.
From there we will continue on foot passing through bars, restaurants and shops and graffiti to Parque das Ruinas (close on Tuesday).
We will then go down the Santa Teresa hill, until we reach the Selarón Staircase, built by the artist Jorge Selarón, famous for containing more than 200 steps with more than 2,000 tiles from more than 60 countries. We go to the staircase for photos and get to know a little bit about the life of your builder.
To pick up the Santa Teresa hill you have to buy a ticket that costs R$ 20,00 (twenty reais)
