Rio De Janeiro Weekend Itinerary

3-Day Weekend Itinerary in Rio de Janeiro

Despite its intimidating size, you can easily explore the best that everything Rio de Janeiro has to offer in just a handful of days. In a single weekend you can take in the city’s iconic Christ the Redeemer, sip fruity caipirinhas on Copacabana beach, dig into Brazilian flame-grilled steak, and more! 

This 3-day weekend itinerary for Rio de Janeiro is the exact one I followed when I visited. It’s a pretty exhausting trip with a couple of early starts, but if you’re only going to visit the iconic carnival city once, you might as well push yourself to the limit. 

Whether your idea of the perfect vacation involves lounging on golden sands, exploring lush parks, dining where the locals eat, or packing as much sightseeing in as you possibly can, this itinerary has it all. So pack your smallest swimwear, get yourself an eSIM, and start planning your next epic weekend away!

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Getting Around Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro Weekend Itinerary

If you’re flying into Rio de Janeiro from outside Brazil, you’ll almost certainly land at Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (GIG). The quickest and easiest way to get from the airport to your accommodation is by an official yellow taxi or Uber.

Rio de Janeiro is remarkably vast and complex and navigating the bustling streets can feel overwhelming at first. The good news is the city has a fantastic metro system and budget-friendly yellow taxis and Ubers, making getting around much easier than it first seems.

To cover large distances, the metro is your best bet. Line 1 covers Ipanema to Uruguai in the north zone. Line 2 takes you from Botafogo to Pavuna. Line 3 goes from Ipanema to the eastern end of Barra da Tijuca at Jardim Oceânico. You can buy a prepaid card and load it up with cash from kiosks in any metro station.

For shorter distances, use official yellow taxis or Uber. Download one of the city’s free taxi apps, like Easy Taxi or 99Taxis (or stick with Uber) and you can zip around the city quickly, safely, and cheaply. If you’re planning on using apps to get around, it’s best to sign up for an eSIM because free WiFi can be tough to find in the city. 

As long as you stick to the city’s main, busy streets, walking around Rio de Janeiro is usually safe during the day. If you find yourself out in the city at night, it’s best to catch a cab or an Uber to get to your destination.


Rio de Janeiro Weekend Itinerary – Day 1

Rio de Janeiro Perfect Weekend Itinerary

Start day one of your Rio de Janeiro trip by renting one of the city’s bikes and cycling along the stunning coastline. Download the Bike Itaú app, sign up for one of the cheap plans, and go searching for a bike rack filled with bright orange Itaú bikes. There are more than 390 Itaú bikes throughout the city and a 15 minute journey costs a little over $1USD.

There are cycle lanes lining Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches, so you can zoom along the coastline and check out the iconic views along the way. When you need a break, stop at one of the bike racks, end your journey on the app, and head to the beach for a freshly-made caipirinha from one of the many stalls dotted along the golden sands. Not all stalls accept card payment, so it’s a good idea to bring some cash with you.

If you get hungry, head to Quiosque Arrastapé. This laid-back beachside restaurant is located about half way along Copacabana Beach and serves casual snacks, like chicken wings, burgers, crispy shrimp, and fries. There are some more local options, too, like hand pies, picanha steak, and tapioca cubes.

There’s a fantastic selection of local and international beers available, as well as creative cocktails and even housemade sodas. 

Return to the beach, rent a lounger and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the soft, platinum sand if you want to take it easy. The sea along Copacabana and Ipanema is the Atlantic, so be prepared because it can be pretty cool and rough — even in summer. 

Alternatively, if you’re up for some more adventure, hop back on a bike and carry on cycling along the coastline, soaking up the unique, buzzing atmosphere of Rio de Janeiro. 

3 Days in Rio de Janeiro: Sunset Helicopter Tour

For the perfect end to your first day in Rio de Janeiro, hop on the metro and head to the helipad for a sunset helicopter tour. If you don’t want to use public transport, sign up for a helicopter tour that includes a transfer instead.

Whichever option you choose, you’ll soar through the air past impressive landmarks, like Christ the Redeemer, Ipanema Beach, and Barra da Tijuca. It’s an amazing way to get your bearings of the city, while seeing iconic spots from a totally unique viewpoint.

If you haven’t eaten much today, put on your finest clothes and head for Assador. One of the best restaurants in the city, this classic Brazilian all-you-can-eat restaurant is an amazing place to try the finest cuts of steak you’ll ever have. Your servers will bring you increasingly delicious and succulent pieces of meat until you ask them to stop, so pace yourself!


Rio de Janeiro Weekend Itinerary – Day 2

Weekend in Rio de Janeiro The Perfect Itinerary: Christ The Redeemer

Wake up bright and early and catch the cog train to see Christ the Redeemer. The earlier you get there, the thinner the crowds will be, so it’s worth the effort. Getting there early makes it a much better experience and allows you to get pictures without masses of other people in them.

The cog train takes you through the Tijuca National Park, one of the largest urban forests in the world. Try and grab a window seat because the views are phenomenal. Position yourself on the right-hand side of the cog train as it moves up and you’ll be in the perfect spot to snap pictures of the dramatic coastline panoramas that crop up between the trees.

When the train stops, disembark and start climbing stairs for the main attraction — Christ the Redeemer. Snap some selfies with the famous Wonder of the World and check out the views from one of the highest peaks in the city. You can see practically the whole of Rio from the viewpoint in front of the statue! 

Catch a taxi or Uber to Capitu Café for an amazing brunch or lunch. If you get there early enough, order the set brunch which includes a coffee, juice, açai bowl or fruit salad, freshly-made bread, scrambled eggs, and a muffin. If brunch has finished by the time you arrive, opt for one of the savory crepes instead. The crepe with buffalo mozzarella, tomato, and basil is incredible!

Next, take a short walk to Largo do Boticário, also known as Boticário Square. This beautiful square looks like somewhere time forgot. It’s dotted with multicolored Neo-Colonial houses left to ruin and uneven cobblestone pavements leading to all sorts of magical spots. 

The huge trees that provide some much-needed shade have also taken over a lot of the buildings, giving the place a mystical, eerie feel. Wander around, see where your feet take you, and snap as many beautiful pictures as you can along the way.

Rio de Janeiro Perfect Weekend Itinerary: Selaron Stairs

Take a taxi or an Uber to Escadaria Selarón, also known as the Selaron Stairs. Your driver won’t be able to drop you off directly at the unique attraction, but it’s just a couple of blocks away along lively, colorful streets. When you arrive, you’ll be swept away with the vibrant, high-octane atmosphere.

People are strewn all over the brightly-colored, artsy staircase, drinking fruity caipirinhas, playing live music, and taking creative selfies. Snap all the pictures you can and soak up the atmosphere because you’ll never be anywhere like this ever again! 

Just a short walk away you’ll find the Rooftop Lapa. This quirky bar and restaurant has a cool rooftop, from where you can see the nearby Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro. If you’re up for exploring, head over there and see the amazing stained glass windows on the inside when you’re finished eating.

The Rooftop Lapa serves fantastic cocktails and local pub-style food like burgers, sandwiches, meat kabobs, and chunky fries. The croquettes of the day are always crunchy, golden, delicious, and absolutely worth trying. 


Rio de Janeiro Weekend Itinerary – Day 3 

Weekend in Rio de Janeiro Perfect Itinerary: Sugarloaf Mountain

Today is your final day in Rio de Janeiro, so make it count! Wake up early and head straight for Sugarloaf Mountain. If you’re feeling energetic, you can hike to the top of the first mountain — Morro da Urca and ride the cable car the rest of the way.

It’s a pretty tough 45-minute hike with a lot of steep bits and uneven stairs. If you’d rather take it easy, you can take 2 cable car trips and get to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain without having to trek through the forest.

When you get off the second cable car, head straight for Classic Beach Club. This chic restaurant boasts spectacular panoramic views and a fantastic breakfast menu. The croque monsieur is incredible, but if you’d prefer something local, try the tapioca with scrambled eggs. 

After eating, take time to explore Sugarloaf Mountain’s trails. Some of them take you to beautiful sculptures created by local artists, while others take you to spectacular viewpoints just begging to have their pictures taken. You’ll also find a handful of stores, cafes, bars, and restaurants at the top of each mountain, if you fancy a break. 

Ride the cable car back to the ground and take a taxi or Uber to Parque Lage. This huge park is studded with green lawns, ancient buildings, bubbling fountains, and towering palm trees. It’s a wonderful place to go when you want a change of scenery from Rio de Janeiro’s urban streets. There are incredible photo opportunities everywhere you turn — you can even see Christ the Redeemer! 

3 Days in Rio de Janeiro: Parque Lage

Before you leave the park, swing by Plage Café. This historic cafe dates back to 1840 and serves fantastic brunch and lunch dishes. Here you’ll find everything from eggs benedicts with salsa verde and shashukas served with sourdough bread to crisp salads and gourmet burgers. There’s also an extensive cocktail menu, with a huge choice of one-of-a-kind cocktails you won’t find anywhere else. 

If you’ve planned your trip so your third day in Rio de Janeiro is Sunday, head to Ipanema for the weekly Hippie Fair, also known as the Feira de Arte de Ipanema. This fair began at the Praça General Osório in the 1960s, so local hippies had somewhere to sell their handicrafts and artwork to locals and visitors. It’s been thriving and growing ever since! 

Here you’ll find all kinds of goodies to take home with you, from alternative clothing, Brazilian-style bikinis, and strappy sandals to handmade jewelry, beautiful handbags, and gorgeous canvases. Not all stall owners accept cards, so it’s a good idea to take cash with you, too.

Make your final evening special by spending it at Fogo de Chão. A classic Brazilian steakhouse, this incredible restaurant has been serving hungry diners premium cuts of perfectly-cooked, butter-soft meat for more than 40 years. Here you’ll be treated to everything from filet mignon, bone-in ribeye, and bacon-wrapped steak to pork belly, lamb chops, and chicken thighs.

We hope you enjoy your long weekend trip to Rio de Janeiro! Is there anything we missed? Let us know in the comments.


Author

  • Nicola Quinn

    Nicola is a freelance writer with an insatiable hunger for travel. She swapped her home in the UK for the sunny Canary Islands when she was just 11 and she has been based there ever since.

    From crawling on her hands and knees inside pyramids in Egypt to swimming with baby sharks in Bali and searching (fruitlessly!) for the Northern Lights in Iceland, Nicola takes every chance she gets to explore new places.

    The incredible experiences she has around the world fuels her writing and inspires her to plan even more adventures for the future.

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