Travelore Tips:The 10 Best Things To Do In Rio

When you think of Rio, images of Carnival or the lyrics to Copacabana pop into your head – right?

Some may even think it’s the Capital of Brazil (not since the 1960′s) but that isn’t all that Rio is famous for – or should be regarded as. If you’re a lucky punter at the World Cup right now (kudos to you) but if you’re watching the games from your couch, here’s some Rio inspiration for booking that next trip by Rio local, Tripbod Alice.

1. Rio Scenarium

To get in the real spirit of Brazilian music, it has to be live and people should really be dancing. I love this place, which is located in the middle of the hectic Lapa district. You’ll find it full of happy people (like me!) dancing to a live band playing Brazilian music – mostly samba. The venue, decorated with antique objects, is really cool, located on the third floor of a huge colonial mansion, so there’s plenty of space to try a few steps.

Rua do Lavradio, 20
Centro Antigo
(21)3147-9005

2. Delirio Tropical

This is where I come for a quick lunch during weekdays or on weekends after the beach. Serving fresh salads, quiches and other lovely, healthy, affordable food, the best thing is the price (depending on what you choose, of course). The main branch is located right at Ipanema beach, and there’s one in the city centre too.

Rua Garcia D’Ávila 48
(21) 3624 8164
9am-9pm daily
R$25-$45; sandwiches R$6-$12

3. Bar Urca

Urca is the neighbourhood that surrounds Sugarloaf mountain. You can get one of the best views of Rio’s bay from this quiet, picturesque and residential area. You would not imagine that there is anything happening here until you arrive at the end of the street and see a line of people chilling out, drinking beers and enjoying good bar snacks like empadas (small pies) and pasteis – fried pockets with a variety of fillings. Go for shrimp, it’s my favourite!

Rua Cândido Gaffrée 205
(21) 2295 8744
6.30am-11pm Mon-Fri; 8am-11pm Sat; 8am-8pm Sun
600ml bottle of beer R$4, caipirinha R$8.50

4. Meza Bar

Meza is a great alternative to Rio’s regular bar scene – more of a gastropub with class. You are seated at a table and there are normally live DJ sets to enjoy. The food here is fabulous and served in little bowls, so as not to make you feel heavy and ready to go to sleep. The chef’s philosophy is to keep you in the dancing mood and to make sure you have room left to enjoy their award-winning drinks menu. This place is on the expensive side, but worth it for the atmosphere.

Rua Capitão Salomão 69
(21) 3239 1951
6pm-3am Thu-Sat; 6pm-1am Sun-Wed

5. Gilson Martin

If you want to buy cool gifts and souvenirs in Rio de Janeiro, this is the shop to visit. Find pop art accessories inspired by the city’s landmarks, cool vinyl bags, wallets and briefcases that come in all manner of shapes and sizes.

Rua Visconde de Pirajá 462b and Copacabana
(21) 2227 6178
Mon-Sat 9am-8pm

6. The Maze

This place really shows a different side of Rio. Inside a pacified favela (shanty town), a former English journalist from the BBC bought a tiny house on the hill, with a stunning view to Sugarloaf and the bay. Here he built a guesthouse and began hosting jazz nights. From the start this place has been packed with all kinds of people looking for quality live music, a decent bar and the main attraction: a panoramic view. To get there, you can take a taxi to the bottom of the hill and then a minivan or a mototaxi to get up the hill.

Rua Tavares Bastos 414, house 66.Catete
Every last Friday of each month
(21) 2558 5547
R$15-$20

7. Palaphita Kitsch

This is my favourite spot to watch the sunset with drinks and enjoy long chats. The exotic Palaphita Kitsch bar is located on the edge of Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas and offers an incredible view over the city’s lagoon and beyond. It has a Balinese vibe and the chairs are made from Amazonian wood, some of which are even suspended among the trees. If you want a really alternative souvenir you can buy one of the chairs – they are all for sale! The food is not fantastic so this isn’t somewhere I come for dinner, but I do enjoy their appetizers and drinks.

Cantagalo Park, Avenida Epitácio Pessoa Kiosk 20
(21) 2227 0837
6pm-1am Mon-Thu & Sun; 6pm-3am Fri-Sat
Chopp R$5.50, caipirinha R$9

8. Zero Zero

This stylish and sophisticated venue has a sushi bar on the deck where the gay-friendly crowd assembles. The music is a variety of genres of dance music, a little more mainstream at the weekends, leaving Thursdays and Sundays for a more adventurous musical adventure with occasional international guests.

Avenida Padre Leonel Franca 240. Gávea
(21) 2540 8041
Tue-Sat 10pm-5am; Sun 5pm-2am
R$20-R$50

9. Farm

‘Inspired, and sold, by the beautiful girls of Ipanema’ – that is Farm’s philosophy, and I love it as much as I love their shop. Their collections are colourful, feminine and young. This is a local brand, born and raised in Rio, but I hear they now even have a shop in fashion mecca – Paris! Farm was founded in the heart of Ipanema General Osorio’s square, which is where you still find its flagship store, and there are others in the main shopping malls in town.

Rua Visconde de Pirajá  365
(21) 3813 3817
Mon-Sat 10am-8pm; Sun 11am-5pm

10. Parque Lage

This beautiful mansion dating from 1840 has a unique and surprising style. The house was designed by a famous Italian architect and the grounds created by an English landscape gardener, who took his inspirations from the Romantic gardens of the UK.

Visitors have come here since the 1950s to see its huge tropical gardens and enjoy the pleasant cafeteria inside the mansion (where there are exhibitions from the art school). When I’m feeling adventurous, I hike the trail (it’s not easy though!) from their gardens up to the Christ. To find the trail just ask the guards for directions.

Rua Jardim Botânico, 414
21 3257-1800
Daily from 8am -18pm

This article has been adapted and originally was supplied by Skyscanner.