Best Attractions in Rio de Janeiro

The 38-metre Art Deco Christ opened in 1931 atop 710-metre Corcovado, arms spread over the entire city — one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The cog train ride up through Tijuca rainforest is half the experience.

Two glass cable cars hop from Praia Vermelha to Morro da Urca and on to the 396-metre granite dome guarding Guanabara Bay, a ride operating since 1912. The view at dusk — Christ lit on one side, city lights igniting below — is Rio's definitive panorama.

The beach that gave the world bossa nova's most famous girl, framed by the Dois Irmãos peaks and organised into postos each with its own tribe. Rent a chair, drink coconut water, and applaud the sunset from Arpoador rock at the eastern end.

Chilean artist Jorge Selarón spent two decades covering 215 steps in over 2,000 tiles from 60 countries, calling it his tribute to the Brazilian people. The riot of red, green, and yellow ceramic is now one of Rio's most photographed places.

Founded by Portuguese prince regent Dom João in 1808, these 140 hectares hold the famous avenue of 30-metre imperial palms, giant Amazon water lilies, and free-flying toucans and marmosets. It sits directly beneath the gaze of Christ on Corcovado.

Santiago Calatrava's skeletal white science museum juts over Guanabara Bay on Pier Mauá, asking how humanity will live in the next 50 years. The building and the regenerated Porto Maravilha waterfront around it transformed downtown Rio.