3 days in Rio de Janeiro
Rio De Janeiro was the very first city I visited when I travelled to South America. I was feeling a little nervous, because the city has quite the reputation. But when I got there, the scenery, the landmarks and the energy of the city blew me away.
Even though the city is big, you can do all the major attractions in just 3 days. That’s the amount of days I spent there. But you can also spend much longer time here, laying on the beaches and eating acai until you can’t stand it no more (although I think that’s quite hard to do, as it is delicious).
Here is my Rio de Janeiro itinerary for how to spend 3 days in Rio.
Day 1: Christ the redeemer and football
Start your day with seeing one of the most famous landmarks in the world; Christ the Redeemer. This 100 foot statue sits on top of Corcovado mountain, and overlooks the city below. Chances are, if you already are in Rio, you’ve seen it. It can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. But you should see it up close and personal, and take your way up the mountain, either by car, train or walking. See my full guide for visiting Christ the Redeemer here. Because it is such a popular attraction, this can really take a big chunk of your day out. Nevertheless, this is a landmark that needs to be on your Rio De Janeiro itinerary, and a great way of starting your 3 days in Rio.
In the afternoon, go to the Ipanema area for lunch or dinner, or maybe chill out on the beach. This is one of the safest neighborhoods in Rio, and is a great place to take a swim or go boutique shopping.
In the evening, try and see a football match. Brazil is famous for their footballplayers such as Pele or Ronaldinho, and Brazilians take great pride in their skills. The stadium Maracana is one of the biggest in the world, and the energy that excudes from Brazilian supporters on a match here is contagious! You need to experience it to believe it.
Day 2: Sugarloaf mountain and a cooking class
On our second day we embark on the second most famous landmark in Rio; Sugarloaf mountain. The mountain provides panoramic views of the entirety of Rio. Try and catch either sunrise or sunset here. To get up you take the cable car that costs about 25 USD there and back. It is definitely worth the money, and of the highlights of any trip to Rio. It is a must for your Rio de Janeiro itinerary.
After you’ve been to Sugarloaf mountain, consider taking a Brazilian cooking class, or maybe a Capoira (Brazilian martial arts) class. Or maybe try and get a samba-lesson. Whatever part of the Brazilian culture you want to take a deep-dive into, do that! You’ve got all afternoon.
Day 3: A day at the beach
Today is a beach day. I would recommend Copacabana, seeing as it is one of the most famous beaches in the world. This is not a paradise-beach. It is crowded, it is loud, yet it is maybe the most important part of everyday-life of Rio. People go here to celebrate, to bask in the sun, to chill. They go on dates, with friends, or family. Whatever it is; they go to Copacabana, and have a really good time. So that is exactly what you should do on your final day in Rio de Janeiro. However, if you hate crowds, loud music and touristy places, Barra de Tijuca beach or Prainha beach are more quiet.
So there you have it! A Rio de Janeiro itinerary for spending 3 days in Rio de Janeiro. Adjust it to your liking, but I feel like this will get you the perfect mix of tourist attractions, local life, culture, famous landmarks, and time to relax and bask in the sun.
