What to Do in Rio de Janeiro: 5 Days of Beaches, Samba, and Iconic Views

You check into a hotel just off Avenida Atlântica, then step directly onto the mosaic sidewalk. The beach stretches in both directions, dotted with soccer games and vendors selling ice-cold mate. Take off your flip-flops and let the fine sand stick to your soles. The water is surprisingly warm, even in the morning. Grab a caipirinha from a kiosk and watch the tide roll in.

Confeitaria Colombo, opened in 1894, is a time capsule. You walk past the marble counter piled with dulce de leche sweets and sit under the huge chandeliers. Order a café com leite and a warm pastel de nata. The custard filling has a perfect caramelized top. This is where Rio's old elite came to gossip. Today it's a UNESCO-protected interior and the best espresso in Centro.

Two cable car stages take you to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. The first stop is Morro da Urca, where you can walk the perimeter and spot the Christ statue across the water. The second ride is steeper. At the top, 396 meters above sea level, you get a full circle of Rio: the curve of Copacabana, the hump of Corcovado, the downtown towers, and the long bridge to Niterói. Sunsets here are legendary. Book your ticket online to skip the line.

Escadaria Selarón, the work of Chilean artist Jorge Selarón, is a 215-step staircase covered in hand-painted tiles from over 60 countries. You start at the bottom near Lapa and climb past tiles of babies, flags, and portraits. Midway, the sound of samba leaks out from a hidden courtyard. This is where the bohemian soul of Rio meets its tourist heart. Walk up slowly and count the number of times you stop to photograph a single tile.

The Corcovado train ride is an experience on its own, winding through Atlantic rainforest with occasional views of the city. At the top, you step onto the platform and the statue looms above you. The view is the most famous in Brazil: Sugar Loaf to the east, the long coast of Niterói to the south, and the favelas clinging to the hills. Go early in the morning to avoid crowds and get the clearest light. The wind is strong up here, so hold onto your hat.

Tijuca National Park is the largest urban rainforest in the world. A short 20-minute hike from the park entrance brings you to Cascatinha Taunay, a 35-meter waterfall that plunges into a cold pool. You can wade in the shallows or just sit on the rocks and watch the mist. The trail is easy and shaded by ancient trees. Keep an eye out for monkeys and toucans. It's a perfect midday escape from Rio's heat.

On Sundays, Ipanema Beach's Hippie Fair fills Praça General Osório with hundreds of stalls selling artisan jewelry, paintings, and leather goods. You browse for an hour, then walk the two blocks to the sand. Ipanema's waves are gentler than Copacabana's, and the vibe is more local. Order a coconut water from a vendor on the beach and watch the volleyball games. The posta 9 area is where the cool crowd gathers.

Forte de Copacabana, built in 1914, now houses a military museum and the original Confeitaria Colombo branch. You walk through the arched gate and across the esplanade to the edge of the fort walls. From here the entire sweep of Copacabana beach is below you. Grab a coffee at the café and sit on the terrace. This is the quietest place in the neighborhood to watch the waves. Entry is R$ 6 (about USD 1.20).