September 17, 2024, 4:58 pm | Read time: 4 minutes

Rio de Janeiro is known as the “wonderful city.” Millions of tourists visit it every year, during Carnival, of course, but also before and after. The World Cup final will be held here on July 13, 2014. The actress Cristina do Rego, known for her role in “Pastewka,” is currently traveling through Brazil. She writes about Rio de Janeiro on TRAVELBOOK and reveals her personal travel tips.

At least if the sun is shining, you live in one of the neighborhoods near the beach and have the necessary funds to fully enjoy everything (including all the following tips) Rio de Janeiro has to offer. If you get to know Rio as a tourist, you are sure to have a fantastic time. The landing approach alone is unforgettable and is rightfully celebrated in many songs.

I have already been to Rio, the former capital of Brazil, several times and every time I am amazed anew. You can’t climb Sugar Loaf Mountain often enough and make the arduous journey to the Cristo Redentor on Corcovado, probably Brazil’s most famous landmark. It really is magical. I’m particularly a big fan of Sugarloaf Mountain. Apart from the view, you can take a wonderful walk in the “jungle” of the hill and completely forget that you are in a big city. On a clear day, you can easily spend half a day here. There are bars and bistros, and the sunset is, of course, amazing!

My tip for Rio de Janeiro: A sunset at the Arpoador

Sunsets and Rio are two things that go together wonderfully. My favorite spot is the Arpoador between Ipanema and Copacabana.

You can feel all the magic of Rio there.

The sun goes down, the beach is full of “Cariocas,” as the inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro are called, and the surfers vie for the best waves. From the rocks, you have a wonderful view to end the day with friends or a date. Afterward, I like to go for a caipirinha and dinner at Palaphita Kitch on Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas.

Everything is just right here.

The ambiance, the service, the food, and the drinks. A perfect end to a perfect day in Rio.

When it’s hot, the only options are the beach or the botanical gardens

The next perfect day for me has to start at Confeitaria Colombo. This traditional coffee house has been around since 1894, and you feel like you’re in a movie as you snack on little calorie bombs for breakfast. There are several branches, but I prefer the one in the center.

In the blistering heat of Rio de Janeiro, there are only two options: Either off to the beach (I prefer Ipanema or Leblon beach, but the famous Copacabana is not to be sneezed at) or seek shade in the Botanical Gardens, located in the “Jardim Botânico” district of the same name.

Another highly recommended way to beat the heat is to drive out along the beach towards Barra da Tijuca and get to know the beaches just outside the city center. The drive is beautiful, and in just under an hour, you can be at Grumari Beach, for example. The area is a popular destination for Cariocas to eat good fish and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

But if you are looking for precisely this hustle and bustle, you should definitely get to know the “Lapa” in the evening. The white arches are the landmark of Rio’s party mile. In almost every bar, especially on weekends, there is samba and Brazilian joie de vivre live and in color.

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Here are more travel tips for Rio de Janeiro:

• You can eat very well and at a fair price at Stalos in the Copacabana district (open 24 hours a day)
• For something a little more upscale, try Margutta (and for dessert, don’t miss the cheese ice cream with goiabada and doce de leite – it may sound odd, but it’s divine, I promise!)
• Eating, drinking, dancing, samba: at the Rio Scenarium

The German original of this article was published in 2014.