On this tour of Santa Teresa, we'll cross the Arcos de Lapa aboard the iconic tram. We'll also explore downtown Rio and see the Selarón Staircase and the must-see spots in downtown Rio de Janeiro.
Tour Details
At the scheduled time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel in Rio de Janeiro to begin a tour of the most photogenic spots in the “Marvelous City.” Ready? Let’s go!
First, we’ll take you to experience one of Rio’s most traditional activities: riding the historic tram in the Santa Teresa neighborhood. Aboard the “bondinho,” as it’s known locally, we’ll cross the Arcos de Lapa, the old aqueduct that connects downtown to the hill of Santa Teresa.
Once at the top, after a ride of about 15 minutes, we’ll get off the tram to stroll through the streets of Santa Teresa and enjoy its unique architecture. We’ll visit Parque das Ruínas, a former mansion converted into an art gallery. Its observation decks offer some of the best views of Rio.
Next, we’ll descend the 215 most famous steps in the world: the Selarón Staircase. This open-air work of art, decorated with tiles from more than 60 countries, is one of Rio de Janeiro’s must-see attractions. Did you know that artist Jorge Selarón spent more than 20 years decorating it?
Then, we’ll head toward downtown Rio to stroll through South America’s oldest public park until we reach Cinelândia Square, where the architecture of the Municipal Theater will leave you speechless.
We’ll wrap up the tour on a high note with a visit to Confeitaria Colombo, an architectural gem from the Belle Époque that’s often named one of the most beautiful cafés in the world.
Finally, we’ll take you back to the starting point, where we’ll say goodbye after spending a total of 4 hours together.
Hotel Pickup
Please note that pickup is included for hotels located in Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, and Leme. If you’re staying outside these areas, we’ll contact you after your reservation to arrange an alternative meeting point.
