Best Day Trips from Rio de Janeiro

If you plan to visit Rio de Janeiro for several days and, in addition to the beaches and cultural attractions of the ancient capital of Brazil, you also want to see the nearby places, let me tell you that this city is an ideal destination to use as a base. From there you can discover paradisiacal beaches, mountain trails and the surrounding architecture.

Among the best activities you can do in Rio de Janeiro are taking an excursion to Arraial Do Cabo, discovering Pedra de Gávea on a hiking tour, visiting Angra dos Reis, making a full day visit to Buzios, visiting Petrópolis and getting to know the picturesque Niterói neighborhood and the Niemeyer Route, which will take you through the main buildings designed by the renowned Brazilian architect.

If you are in Rio de Janeiro and are looking for a coastal adventure that will surprise you, you can't miss the opportunity to take an excursion to Arraial do Cabo. This beach tongue, located about three hours from Rio, is a coastal paradise that has become one of the most visited places in Brazil.

Although Arraial do Cabo is a very popular site and an established city, it is its beaches, some of which are considered among the most beautiful in the world, that make this destination famous. From Praia do Forno, with its crystal clear waters and white sand, to Praia Grande, known for its sunsets, in Arraial you will find beach options for all tastes.

Also, during your tour you can't miss exploring Praia dos Anjos and its picturesque port, where you can enjoy some of the best boat trips in town. Scuba diving and snorkeling are also popular activities here, especially during the summer, when you can discover the colorful coral reefs in a clear way.

These excursions are usually full day tours and include round trip transfers with hotel pick up in Rio de Janeiro. You will also have free time for sunbathing, swimming at the beaches and touring some of the sites on your own.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 47 euros per person.
• Duration: about 14 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to see one of the most famous sites around Rio de Janeiro and some of what are considered the best beaches in the world.
• Disadvantages of these tours: due to the long trip from Rio de Janeiro they are tours that usually start during the early morning hours.

If you are a nature lover or want to live an adventurous experience, one of the best alternatives from Rio de Janeiro is to opt for a hiking tour to Pedra de Gávea. This site marks one of the highest peaks in the region and is about an hour's drive from downtown Rio. This trip will take you to the top of this rock formation, where you can take in panoramic views.

The trail leading to the top of Pedra de Gávea goes through the Tijuca rainforest, where you can briefly enter the lush Brazilian vegetation. Once at the top, you can admire the skyline of Rio de Janeiro, its iconic beaches, such as Copacabana and Ipanema, the Maracana Stadium and Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Hill.

The Pedra de Gávea is also known for its large monolith in the shape of an armchair, which offers an ideal place to sit and contemplate the scenery from there in a relaxed way. However, keep in mind that the excursion to Pedra de Gávea is considered risky due to its complexity in the ascent to the top, so I advise you to never disregard the recommendations that the instructors will give you throughout the tour.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 51 euros per person.
• Duration: about 8 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: it is a different alternative to get to know the jungle that surrounds Rio de Janeiro and also to discover panoramic views of the city.
• Disadvantages of these tours: it is considered a dangerous experience and not recommended for people with reduced mobility.

Angra dos Reis is one of the best known and most visited places around Rio de Janeiro. Especially famous for its archipelago of Ilha Grande, it offers a tropical paradise just over two hours from downtown Rio. If you choose to tour this destination with an organized excursion, you can delegate the organization of transfers and internal transfers to reach the islands once you are in Angra.

Ilha Grande, despite what its name suggests, is actually a conglomerate of more than 300 islands with paradisiacal beaches. There you can go scuba diving, snorkeling or kayaking to discover the marine life and underwater treasures of the region. In addition, on the beach of Lopes Mendes you will find the ideal conditions for a surfing experience.

These excursions usually also include a tour of the historic center of Angra dos Reis. Its cobblestone streets, colonial buildings and the Church of Santa Luzia reflect the historical heritage of the region. If you plan to visit Rio de Janeiro in December, Ilha Grande offers some of the best alternatives for spending Christmas and New Year's Eve there.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 47 euros per person.
• Duration: about 14 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will get to know the natural beauty and cultural richness of one of the most visited places around Rio de Janeiro.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: they do not include enough free time for you to visit islands other than those included in the tour.

If during your trip you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Rio de Janeiro, a good alternative is to take refuge in the quiet attractions of Búzios. This seaside town is about a three-hour drive from Rio and offers picturesque beaches, cobblestone streets and a relaxed atmosphere that captivated the legendary model Brigitte Bardot, who made this resort her summer resort, bringing worldwide fame to this destination.

The beaches of Búzios are the main attraction of this coastal area. Among the most famous are Praia de Geribá, perfect for surfing; Praia de Ferradura, with its crystal clear waters and horseshoe shape; and Praia da Ferradurinha, a small hidden beach ideal for snorkeling and stand up paddle. If you want to visit the central resorts, you can visit Praia de João Fernandes and Praia da Tartaruga.

Búzios also has a picturesque historic center known as Rua das Pedras. There you can explore cobblestone streets lined with stores, restaurants and bars. As most tours usually include free time to do activities on your own, you can also opt to take a stroll along the coast of Búzios.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 47 euros per person.
• Duration: about 12 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will be able to get away from the hustle and bustle and crowds of Rio de Janeiro's beaches.
• Disadvantages of these tours: the round trip is long, so it can be a tiring experience at the end of the day.

If you are looking for a cultural and historical getaway from Rio de Janeiro and an alternative experience, an excursion to Petrópolis may be an ideal choice. This city is about an hour's drive from downtown Rio and is known for its rich history, architecture and its nickname as The Imperial City.

In Petrópolis you can visit the Imperial Museum, once the summer palace of Emperor Pedro II of Brazil. There you can tour the halls, the art collection and the display of historical artifacts that will transport you back to the country's imperial era. During these tours you can also visit the Cathedral of São Pedro de Alcântara, a neo-Gothic church that houses the remains of the emperor and his family.

Petrópolis is also famous for its colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. Rua Teresa is known for its fashion boutiques and handicraft stores, where you can buy souvenirs and mementos. You can also take a stroll through the Jardim dos Mayores, a park with preserved gardens and statues that offers a tranquil setting for relaxing.

The city is also famous for its craft beer, so some tours also include a visit to Cervejaria Bohemia, one of Brazil's most famous bottlers, where you can learn about the brewing process and taste some of the local varieties.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 40 euros per person.
• Duration: between 10 and 12 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will get to know an alternative profile of the surroundings of Rio de Janeiro.
• Disadvantages of these tours: the rate does not usually include entrance to the museums and the cathedral.

If you want to really get to know the cultural spirit of Rio de Janeiro, you can't miss an excursion to Niterói, which will allow you to follow the Niemeyer Route. This sister city of Rio, located just across the Guanabara Bay, is home to a number of iconic buildings designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, which is one of the best museums in the city.

The MAC 's futuristic building resembles a flying saucer that rises on a hill with panoramic views, so from there you can get a different perspective of Rio de Janeiro, similar to what you can see on the city's best boat rides along the Guanabara Bay, but from the mainland.

The Niemeyer Route also includes a stop at the Teatro Popular de Niterói, a circular-shaped building with a distinctive roof that resembles a circus canvas. This cultural space hosts various performances and artistic events throughout the year, and its avant-garde design makes it an attraction in its own right.

In addition to the Niemeyer-designed buildings, the tour will also take you to Praia de Icaraí, a beach in Niterói where you can relax and enjoy the breeze from the bay. Usually, these tours also include in their itinerary the Museum of Tomorrow, which was designed by Santiago Calatrava but inspired by Niemeyer's work and houses an ideal exhibit to explore science, technology and the future of humanity.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 65 euros per person.
• Duration: between 4 and 5 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: the rate usually includes entrance to museums and attractions, so you can get a complete cultural profile of Niteroi.
• Disadvantages of these tours: you will not have much free time to explore the sites of Niterói outside the Niemeyer Route.

If you want to take an excursion from Rio de Janeiro to the surroundings of the city you can book the tours in advance or you can also buy them once you are in the destination.

However, if you plan to visit Rio de Janeiro in December or during the summer months, which are part of the high season, I advise you to book your tours in advance, to secure your spot, freeze the rate and be able to organize an itinerary for your trip, as most of the activities require full-day tours.

As a first step, ideally, if you plan to visit Rio de Janeiro during the high season, you should book your excursions in advance so as not to lose your place in these experiences, and also to get better prices, since rates tend to be dynamic and increase in last-minute bookings, especially when demand is high.

I also advise you to organize an itinerary and plan your tours to the outskirts of the city. This will help you not to miss any of the best activities in Rio de Janeiro, especially because tours to the outskirts of the former capital of Brazil usually take all day, which could interfere with a short stay in this destination. If that is your case, here is a list of activities so you can get to know the city in 3 days.

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most famous cities in Brazil, it has some of the best beaches in the country, outstanding museums and entertaining activities, but if you choose to visit also the surroundings of this city you will be able to know from beautiful beaches to some of the architectural and cultural wonders of the country. It will also allow you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of Rio.

On the other hand, some of the excursions to the surroundings of Rio de Janeiro will show you the city from another perspective, as is the case of the tour of Niteroi and the Niemeyer Route. In this experience you will be able to contemplate the panoramic views of the city and the Guanabara Bay from another place. In addition, if you plan to visit Rio during Christmas or New Year's Eve, in some destinations, such as Angra dos Reis, you can find alternatives to discover the festive spirit of the eve in Brazil.

The main advantages of taking a guided tour and not touring these destinations around Rio de Janeiro on your own are two: comfort and safety. These organized options will be more beneficial for you because you will be able to delegate the organization of transportation and tours to the expert local guide, which will help you avoid the chaotic traffic of Brazil and the crowds of tourists that usually characterize this destination.

In addition, it will also be safer for you because the transfers and the organization will be in charge of experienced guides. All this will result in a more relaxed and comfortable experience that will allow you to save time during your stay in Rio de Janeiro, while you enjoy all the edges of the city and its periphery.