Rio’s many vantage points offer unrivalled experiences. Climb the Corcovado or the Sugar Loaf or the many other granite peaks in the Tijuca Forest for outstanding and unforgettable panoramic views. Of course, Rio de Janeiro is also famous for its many beautiful beaches that include Copacabana and Ipanema, while several delightful parks and gardens and an array of palaces and colonial architecture add alternative sights to see.

Corcovado
Taking the train is definitely the best option for seeing the 125 foot Christ the Redeemer statue atop the 2,330 foot granite Corcovado Mountain. The attraction lies in the Tijuca Forest National Park and it is accessible by narrow road or the electric train, known as the Corcovado Rack Railway. Trains leave every 30 minutes and take about 20 minutes to reach the foot of Christ, although queues are often very long at any time of year. To get to the viewing platform, you will have to climb a large flight of steps or, better still, take the escalator. The views of Rio, its beaches and the surrounding mountains are breathtaking and make all the waiting worthwhile.

Jardim Botânico
Rio de Janeiro’s Botanical Gardens can be found en-route to Christ the Redeemer from Leblon Beach and are also on the boundary of the Tijuca Forest. First planted in the early 1800s by Prince Regent Dom João, the gardens now have thousands of varieties of plants and are best visited on weekdays to avoid the tourist hordes. The main attractions of the gardens are the massive Vitória Regia water lilies and the original row of palms.

Paço Imperial
This colonial palace was built in the mid-18^th century as the headquarters for Brazil's captains during the days of the Portuguese rulers. It first became a royal palace when King João VI arrived. It housed emperors Dom Pedro I and II but later became Rio’s main post office after the monarchy was overthrown. Luckily, it was eventually restored to its former glory in the 1980s when it became a concert hall. The building today still presides over its beautiful square and houses a movie theatre, restaurant, and coffee shop. Telephone: +55 212 5334359 for more information.

Palácio do Catete
The Palácio do Catete features a museum and theatre, contemporary art gallery, a movie theatre, and a restaurant. It was used as the presidential palace after the 1889 coup overthrew the monarchy. The beautiful marble palace became home to 18 successive presidents and is resplendent in its furnishings and décor. The Museu da República (Museum of the Republic) features permanent exhibits and presidential memorabilia. For more information, please telephone +55 212 558 6350.

Pão de Açúcar
Commonly known as the Sugar Loaf, Pão de Açúcar offers views which are on par with Corcovado. Although only a little over half the height of Christ the Redeemer, the Sugar Loaf is certainly lofty enough for you to grasp the beauty of the city with one sweep and is even more amazing at sunset. You can reach its peak by cable car or if you are feeling a little bit more adventurous, by climbing.

Parque do Flamengo
A popular alternative to the beach, the Flamengo Park lies on the shores of the Guanabara Bay in the Glória neighbourhood and features many sports and leisure opportunities. There are playgrounds and ball courts here, as well as walking, jogging, and biking paths. The park is best enjoyed on weekends, especially for families with children, as the highway running alongside is pedestrianised.

Quinta da Boa Vista
Located just to the west of the city centre, Quinta da Boa Vista features beautifully landscaped gardens which are home to the National Museum and Rio Zoo, along with a dazzling array of pools and marble statues. The museum tells the story of Brazil’s past and is housed in the elegant early 19^th century imperial palace. The world’s largest meteorite is one of the museum’s star attractions, weighing in at a massive five tonnes. Jardim Zoológico houses a great selection of Brazil’s fauna in their natural habitats. Telephone: +55 212 568 8262.

Rio's beaches
Laying either side of the surfing beach, Arpoador, Copacabana and Ipanema are definitely the most famous stretches of sand in Rio. Each of the three beaches leads onto many desirable shopping streets. Although some beaches in Rio are unsuitable for swimming, Copacabana offers excellent swimming water sports facilities. Other good swimming beaches in Rio are Recreio dos Bandeirantes and Grumari, while Leblon Beach is also a major draw and suitable for families with children.

Check out Roberto Burle Marx’s house
Roberto Burle Marx was Brazil’s most celebrated landscape designer and was responsible for the elaborate beachfront walkways. His estate-turned-museum is fascinating and stunningly located amid tropical forest. The grounds of his estate feature thousands of species of plants with some of them being on the endangered species list. Marx was also a painter and visitors are able to view his modern studio, his folk art, and his belongings, as well as a restored chapel. Telephone: +55 22 410 1412 for more information.

Dance the samba
The samba, choro, and bossa nova are the three main Rio and Brazilian musical genres and the resurgence of the samba and choro in the city has led to the establishment of many new venues. If you fancy dancing to the samba, check out the downtown district of Lapa, where you will find the greatest concentration of samba venues. The live music scene for pop and rock in Rio is also popular in the city.

Hang glide over Rio
Hang gliding in Rio de Janeiro has been getting increasingly more popular over the last few decades owing to the juxtaposition of mountains and sea. You don’t have to go far from Rio and beaches to find the launching off points and then continue soaring above the city before landing on a beach.

Revel at Rio Carnival
The biggest event in Rio’s, and indeed Brazil’s, calendar is the Rio de Janeiro Carnival. This is the greatest reason for many to visit Rio de Janeiro and the Carnival is on a par with New Orleans’ Mardis Gras. The celebrations stretch over a two-week period and feature the ever popular samba schools parading in Centro (downtown) on the massive Sambadrome, as well as similar shows of decadence proceeding through virtually every city neighbourhood.

Relax in the Parque Nacional da Tijuca
Fancy a break from the beach scene? The beautiful Tijuca National Park, to the west of the city not only harbours Corcovado Mountain and Christ the Redeemer, it also offers extensive parkland and plenty of places to relax. Rio de Janeiro was once all Atlantic rainforest and the Tijuca is all that is left. Featuring mountainous terrain, beautiful trees and plunging waterfalls, the park has well marked walking and cycling paths, as well as a colourful collection of indigenous wildlife. Visitors can also visit the fascinating caves.

Soak up the Copacabana Chaos
Dive headfirst into the thick of Rio’s heaving mass of bronzed humanity on one of the world’s most famed beaches, Copacabana. The activity and noise is endless; join in a game of futevôlei (volleyball using heads and feet) with the locals or simply swim and bathe in the sun. If you’re not content with the often-polluted waters on Copacabana, the Avenida Atlântica backing the beach is known for its upscale hotels and numerous trendy cafés. If you’re here over the weekend, the main road traffic is shut-off and everything is pedestrianised.

Take it easy on Ipanema Beach
Ipanema offers much the same as Copacabana but is less touristy and more for the locals, with separate family and gay sections. Soccer is also played with fervour here and the entire beach is backed by a bustling boardwalk with kiosks running its length and serving beverages and snacks.