Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro

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!

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!

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)

Discover the beautiful historic center of Rio de Janeiro and the neighborhood of Lapa on this fascinating free tour and admire the city's landmarks.

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.

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.

 ✨ 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)

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!

Very small group: max 6 walkers.

Conducted only in English (no translations).

Starts promptly at 8:30 AM – beat the heat & skip long lines for a better experience!

Please share your WhatsApp number – I'll send the exact meeting point + useful tips ahead.

This is a tip-based tour (4.5 hours).

Your kind contribution at the end is greatly appreciated and directly supports the tour and your guide.

A suggested amount of 200 Reais is very welcome, but please give whatever feels right to you – no obligation, it's just a suggestion!

Your energy makes every tour special – excited to welcome you!

I accept credit cards if needed, but cash (BRL, USD or EUR) is really preferred and appreciated.

No ATMs on the route – there's a spot to exchange money toward the end.

Ready to feel Rio's pulse like a true Carioca? Skip the tourist maps and join my vibrant 4-5 hour walking + VLT adventure!

This is more than a walking tour—it's a mobile history class about Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.

Dive deep into the city's soul: hidden gems, local whispers, and iconic spots most tours skip. See Rio through a local's eyes.

Starts 8:30am sharp at Cinelândia Starbucks—look for me on the bench out front!

Highlights: Passeio Público, Selarón Steps, Arcos da Lapa, Metropolitan Cathedral, stunning Real Gabinete Português de Leitura, Igreja de São Francisco de Paula, VLT to Mosteiro de São Bento, passa by VLT through the revitalized Praça Mauá, Museum of Tomorrow, Kobra's epic mural & Valongo Port's powerful history.

Limited spots—grab yours now!

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.

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)