Popularized by the song "The Girl from Ipanema," this world-famous beach gives foreign visitors a sense of life in Rio, displaying a cross-section of different lifestyles, chic boutiques and eateries and luxurious apartment buildings.

You’ll find historical spots, spectacular views, a beautiful waterfall, a small chapel and unusual trees in this dense, tropical national park, probably best explored by jeep tour.

Getting there  The cog-train leaves Cosme Velho station every hour, on the hour and half past the hour. Tickets cost R$36 for adults and R$ 18 for children. Sit on the right hand side of the train for

world's biggest Soccer stadium

This complex, situated on the beautiful grounds of the former imperial palace, contains the Museu Nacional, the Jardim Zoologico, pools and statues.

Whether to attend a show or take a tour, it’s worth seeing this lavish 1909 theater, filled with gilded mirrors, statues, murals, stained-glass windows and sparkling chandeliers.

The world’s largest collection of primitive paintings from the 15th century to the present day is housed in this colonial mansion, once the art studio of Brazilian painter Eliseu Visconti.

Situated in a bohemian neighborhood, and providing great views of the bay from its hilltop location, this museum contains 20th century masterpieces by the likes of Degas, Matisse and Picasso as well as works by prominent Brazilian modernists.

Low-income mountain retreats