Christ The Redeemer Tours in Rio de Janeiro

Christ the Redeemer Christ on Corcovado Hill shapes the most famous image of Rio de Janeiro and is also the main attraction of the city. Here I tell you everything you need to know to visit this monument.

Matías Rodríguez

Matías Rodríguez

7 min read

Christ The Redeemer Tours in Rio de Janeiro

Knowing Christ the Redeemer | ckturistando

Since its inauguration in 1931, Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Hill has become the universal image of Rio de Janeiro and is the most visited attraction in the city and in Brazil, attracting millions of tourists every year. Joining an organized tour of Christ the Redeemer is one of the best ways to get to know this wonder of the modern world and, without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro.

Visit Christ the Redeemer Christ in Rio de Janeiro on an organized tour

Christ the Redeemer| ©Jass Hop
Christ the Redeemer| ©Jass Hop

Visiting Christ the Redeemer is the main goal of most tourists who come to Rio de Janeiro and doing it on an organized tour is the most complete alternative to enjoy a unique experience to the fullest.

One of the main advantages of opting for an organized tour is that you will avoid the long and exhausting queues that often form, as well as booking tickets in advance, as these can sell out quickly because the number of daily visitors is limited.

What does an organized tour include?

During organized tours you can avoid stress, as you will not have to deal with the organization and transportation, because you will arrive at the base of the monument in a minivan. In addition, you will also have an experienced guide who will provide you with historical and cultural information about Christ the Redeemer in particular and about Rio de Janeiro in general.

This way, you will only have to worry about knowing every detail of this architectural work of art and concentrate on enjoying the panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro, which reach from the Sugar Loaf Rock to the Guanabara Bay.

What other sites can I see on these organized tours?

Christ the Redeemer organized tours usually also include other popular sights in Rio de Janeiro:

  • Sugarloaf Rock.
  • Paineiras Visitor Center.
  • Corcovado.
  • Sambodromo da Marques de Sapucai.
  • Cable car to Urca Hill and Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Join an organized tour of Christ the Redeemer

Visit Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro on your own

Christ the Redeemer| ©Mílton Jung
Christ the Redeemer| ©Mílton Jung

If you prefer not to take an organized tour and decide to visit Christ the Redeemer on your own, you can also do so, although you should keep in mind that there are several issues that you should resolve in advance to optimize your experience and not suffer setbacks or bad experiences that alter your itinerary.

If you plan to visit Rio de Janeiro in December or during the summer months, you will find a large influx of tourists and that will hinder each of the steps of the tour, from transportation to the purchase of tickets.

Beyond that, it is very important to take into account all the alternatives to make the best possible decision according to the budget allocated and the means of transport chosen to reach the monument.

Climbing Christ the Redeemer by train

Buying tickets for the Christ the Redeemer rack train is the most picturesque option, not only because it will allow you to travel on a rack train, but also because you will get some of the best views of the surroundings during the ride.

Keep in mind that the train has limited spaces, so I advise you to buy your ticket in advance and check out the alternatives to get from your accommodation to the neighborhood of Cosme Velho, which is where the station is located.

The trip from this site to Christ the Redeemer takes about 20 minutes and is one of the best ways to get there early to take some of the best pictures of the monument.

Climbing Christ the Redeemer by van

The vans leave from different points of the city and the price of this service from Copacabana is approximately 18 euros per person.

The negative aspect of this alternative is that at peak hours they are crowded near the monument and you could be delayed in entering, which will make you lose time, although for its comfort it is the best alternative if you are traveling with children or seniors.

Climbing Christ the Redeemer on foot

If you are a fan of adventure tours and you think that your thing is not only to enjoy the best museums of the city but also want to live a local experience, you can choose to climb Christ the Redeemer on foot. This alternative is the most used by backpackers, because it is the most economical and because it involves a 2-hour trek that will allow you to see the landscape of the Henrique Lage Park.

The route of this option will take you through winding roads up to 710 meters above sea level of the monument. Please note that to make use of this alternative you must register at the entrance with your personal data and that, given the difficulty, it is recommended to do the circuit in company. In addition, it is a very weather-sensitive option, since rainy or very hot days can make the journey difficult.

Details of interest of Christ the Redeemer

  • Entrance fee: approximately 5 euros per person.
  • How to get there: you can get there by private transport, on foot or by the Corcovado train.
  • Hours: daily from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Buy your tickets for the Christ the Redeemer rack railway train

Why is it worth visiting Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro?

Near Christ the Redeemer| ©bossa07
Near Christ the Redeemer| ©bossa07

Christ the Redeemer is not only Rio de Janeiro's main attraction and one of the new seven wonders of the modern world, but also one of the most visited monuments on the planet, so you can't say you know the city until you've climbed to the top of Corcovado Hill to discover this marvel of 20th century architecture.

In addition, from the 710 meters above sea level of Christ the Redeemer you will be able to contemplate some of the best views of Rio de Janeiro, which will allow you to distinguish from the Guanabara Bay to the most famous favelas of the city.

If you are religious you can also consider Christ the Redeemer as a pilgrimage site, a facet that you can discover especially if you plan to visit Rio de Janeiro during Christmas or during liturgical dates.

Join an organized tour of Christ the Redeemer

Tips for visiting Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro

Christ the Redeemer from afar| ©Rodrigo Soldon
Christ the Redeemer from afar| ©Rodrigo Soldon

Christ the Redeemer is one of the most beautiful attractions in Rio de Janeiro, but it is also one of the most visited, so if you plan to travel to Rio de Janeiro in December or during the summer months, I advise you to book your organized Christ the Redeemer tour in advance to ensure your place in the experience.

If you opt for the tour on your own, I advise you to purchase tickets for the cog railway and Christ the Redeemer itself prior to your arrival in the city.

If you want to get some of the best photos of your trip and avoid the crowds, the best alternative is to visit the monument in the morning, as close to 8:00 am as possible. Remember that if you don't buy tickets in advance you will have to queue at the base of the monument, which I do not recommend at all.

Details of interest of Christ the Redeemer

  • Where to eat: the base of the monument, near the Visitor Center, has a bar with several local and international food and drink options.
  • What to bring in your backpack: clothes for shelter from the sun, sunscreen and water for hydration, especially during the summer.
  • Where to take pictures: the best way to get a full panoramic view of Christ the Redeemer is to capture it from the stairs surrounding the monument, which will allow you to frame yourself in the shot along with the structure.

Join an organized tour of the Christ the Redeemer

What other iconic sites can I visit in Rio de Janeiro?

Sugar Loaf Mountain| ©NFTOMY
Sugar Loaf Mountain| ©NFTOMY

Christ the Redeemer is one of the most beautiful monuments in Brazil, the most visited site in Rio de Janeiro and one of the world references of high-rise architecture, but the city has many other attractions to offer, which you can get to know during your trip or even combining the visit to Corcovado Hill with other activities in a combined tour.

Sugarloaf Mountain

This rock formation, which rises 396 meters above sea level and consists of a granite mountain rising from the Guanabara Bay, is one of the most emblematic icons of Rio de Janeiro. Its name, Sugarloaf, comes from its similarity to the old sugar molds used in colonial times.

Buying your tickets for the Sugarloaf cable car will give you panoramic views of the city, ranging from the famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches to Christ the Redeemer.

In addition to the view, at the base of Sugarloaf you will find hiking trails, souvenir stores and restaurants that will allow you to discover all the secrets of Brazilian gastronomy.

Book tickets for the cable car to Sugar Loaf Mountain

Rocinha Fave

Rocinha is one of the largest and best known informal settlements in the world. In its steep and narrow streets lie the culture, history and contrasts of Brazil and is one of the most densely populated emergency neighborhoods.

To discover Rocinha safely, many tourist agencies offer guided tours. These hire a tour of the favelas of Rio de Janeiro will allow you to know the reality of these sites firsthand, because most of the expert guides are residents of these settlements.

Buy a Rocinha guided tour

Selarón Staircase

This colorful staircase connects the neighborhoods of Lapa and Santa Teresa and consists of more than 200 steps lined with ceramic tiles from around the world. Each step is unique, with tiles representing the cultural and geographic diversity of the people who visit and contribute to this ever-evolving work.

Book a tour to see the Selarón Staircase so you won't miss any details, as the staircase is decorated with art pieces and sculptures that Selarón incorporated over the years.

Book a tour to visit the Selaron Stairway

Maracana Stadium

If you are a soccer fan, exploring the Maracana Stadium, one of the cathedrals of soccer, will allow you not only to enter its museum exhibition, which contains trophies, jerseys, memorabilia and a video room, but also to step on the field.

From the Maracanazo to the rivalry between Flamengo and Fluminense and from Zico and Pelé to Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, at the Maracanã you will be able to explore the soccer past in one of the most representative sports scenarios in history.

Explore the Maracana Stadium