Rio is a city wrapped around mountains and beaches, powered by samba and sunshine. Cariocas are famously warm — a little Portuguese and you'll be swept straight into the party.
- Christ the Redeemer — the 38-metre statue with arms open over the whole city from Corcovado. Go on a clear morning; clouds can swallow the view by afternoon.
- Sugarloaf Mountain — two cable cars up to a granite peak over Guanabara Bay. Time it for sunset, when the city lights come on beneath you.
- Copacabana & Ipanema — the legendary beaches. Rent a chair, drink an água de coco, watch the football and volleyball, and stay for the sunset applause at Ipanema.
- The Selarón Steps — 215 stairs covered in tiles from around the world by artist Jorge Selarón, in the bohemian Lapa/Santa Teresa area.
- Santa Teresa — the hilltop artists' quarter of cobbled lanes and old mansions, reached by the little yellow bonde tram. Views, studios and cafés everywhere.
Brazilian Portuguese is musical and welcoming — "obrigado/obrigada" and "tudo bem?" get you smiles instantly. Meet a Portuguese speaker below and land ready to say olá.
