Tijuca National Park
Brazilian national park.
The morning window here is short, so follow the main trail and keep water close; the tree cover keeps the walk cool for most of the route.
Morning · 1 hr 15 minDay 1
Forest, twin peaks and the Redeemer
Morro Dois Irmãos
Mountain in Brazil.
The climb up the twin hills is steady rather than long; going first thing keeps the heat off and the view over the neighbourhoods clear.
Morning · 1 hr 15 min
Christ the Redeemer
Colossal statue of Jesus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The trip slots this into the afternoon, when the light comes across the bay; the 45 minutes at the top are enough once you are up.
Afternoon · 45 min
Campo de Santana
Park in Rio de Janeiro.
A level, shaded park makes a calm end to a day of heights; keep the visit short and slow.
Evening · 1 hr 15 minBoth heights come in the morning, so breakfast early and carry water in a small bag for the two climbs.
Day 2
A day in the old centre
Mosteiro de São Bento
Monastery in Rio de Janeiro.
A working monastery, so the morning is the quiet time to look at the carved wood and painted ceilings; dress modestly.
Morning · 1 hr 30 min
Praça XV de Novembro
Square in Rio de Janeiro.
A natural place to pause between the monastery and the palace; the square ties the old royal city together.
Morning · 45 min
Paço Imperial
Building in Rio de Janeiro.
Two hours cover the rooms and the changing exhibitions; it works well as the middle of the day when the sun is strongest.
Afternoon · 2 hr
National Historical Museum
History museum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The collection is broad, so resist rushing; the later start means the light in the halls stays even through the visit.
Evening · 2 hrThe centre's stops sit close together around Praça XV de Novembro; the day works best when the walking stays unhurried.
Day 3
Hills, a museum and the bay
Presbyterian Cathedral of Rio of Janeiro
Church in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A contained, understated space before the museum; 45 minutes is enough to take it in.
Morning · 45 min
Carmen Miranda Museum
Museum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The house is small and the collection dense; the full two hours are for reading the labels and seeing the costumes up close.
Morning · 2 hr
Sugarloaf Mountain
Peak situated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The cable car climbs in two stages; arriving in the afternoon keeps the late light, and the view opens up as you rise.
Afternoon · 1 hr 15 min.jpg?width=800)
Morro da Babilônia
Favela in Leme, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The last climb of the trip is partly street, partly path; going up before dusk means carrying something small to light the way down.
Evening · 1 hr 15 minTwo hills bookend a museum afternoon; keep some energy for the last climb, since the dusk view is the point of it.
Good to know
How to spend 3 days in Rio de Janeiro
The trip splits the city into three moods: forest and peaks on the first day, the old centre on the second, hills and bay on the third. Every day starts early and ends on open ground.
What is Rio like in May
May is autumn in Rio: warm days with the heavy summer heat gone, which suits the two mornings spent climbing. Evenings stay mild for the parks and the dusk viewpoint.
Which Rio viewpoint should you not miss
This trip spreads the views out: Morro Dois Irmãos in the morning, Christ the Redeemer in the afternoon, Sugarloaf Mountain on the third day and Morro da Babilônia at dusk.
Is Rio's old centre walkable in a day
Yes, on this route. The square, the monastery, the palace and the museum all sit within a short walk of one another, which leaves the day slow and the map simple.
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