Rio de Janeiro Trip Overview
Come and learn a lot about the history and heritage of Brazil. In this 2-Day tour, you will explore two very important cities in two different ways: a Walking Tour in Rio and a Day-Trip Tour to Petropolis.
In Rio, you will explore the historic city center and discover how a colony on the other side of the Atlantic became the capital of the Portuguese Empire. Also, you will hear the history of slavery from the point of view of those who suffered from the Atlantic trade and their descendants, as well as the impact and legacy of Afro culture on national identity.
In Petropolis, where the Royal Family built their summerhouse, you will learn more about the Imperial times and not only visit the summerhouse itself (nowadays a museum) but also other important historic sites. This is a hidden gem of Rio.
What are you waiting for? Board this ‘time-travel’ tour with us!
Additional Info
Duration: 2 days
Starts: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Rio de Janeiro Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Come and learn a lot about the history and heritage of Brazil. In this 2-Day tour, you will explore two very important cities in two different ways: a Walking Tour in Rio and a Day-Trip Tour to Petropolis.
In Rio, you will explore the historic city center and discover how a colony on the other side of the Atlantic became the capital of the Portuguese Empire. Also, you will hear the history of slavery from the point of view of those who suffered from the Atlantic trade and their descendants, as well as the impact and legacy of Afro culture on national identity.
In Petropolis, where the Royal Family built their summerhouse, you will learn more about the Imperial times and not only visit the summerhouse itself (nowadays a museum) but also other important historic sites. This is a hidden gem of Rio.
What are you waiting for? Board this ‘time-travel’ tour with us!
Itinerary
Day 1: Rio Historic and Heritage Walking Tour
Stop At: Cinelandia, Avenue rio Branco, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20031-050 Brazil
The square with the first movie theaters in Rio. Nowadays, although the movies are gone, we can still find some of the most impressive buildings in the city, like the Municipal Theater and the National Library
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Tiradentes Palace, Rua Primeiro de Marco s/n Centro, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20010-900 Brazil
Region of the former ‘Morro do Castelo’, one of the largest Portuguese settlements in the 16th century; also hosts the Tiradentes Palace: former Imperial Parlament.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Praca Quinze de Novembro – Centro, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20010-010 Brazil
One of the most important regions in Rio’s and Brazil’s history. In this place, we have the first street of the city; the old cathedral, and the former royal palace. It was also one of the main areas of slave trading in the early colonial days.
Duration: 20 minutes
Pass By: Orla Prefeito Luiz Paulo Conde, From Praca XV de Novembro up to Praca Maua – Centro, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro Brazil
The Olympic Boulevard is one of the legacies of the Olympics for the city. This was a region that was pretty abandoned prior to the restoration of downtown but today is one of the most iconic memories of the games in Rio.
Stop At: Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil – CCBB Rio de Janeiro, Rua Primeiro de Marco 66, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20010-000 Brazil
This place is the most important cultural center of the city of Rio de Janeiro. This place has hosted exhibitions from Picasso, Da Vinci, and others, totally for free. The building itself used to be the main headquarters of the National Brazilian Bank.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Maua Square, Avenida Rodrigues Alves 1, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20081-250 Brazil
The central region of the old pier of the city, now known for the Museum of Tomorrow, was designed by Calatrava. Usually one of the first places that you visit if you arrive in Rio by cruise ship.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Pedra do Sal, Largo Joao da Baiana Saude, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20081-120 Brazil
Pedra do Sal, famous for traditional samba circles. Also known address of the old ‘terreiro da Tia Ciata’, and Largo da Prainha, one of the best-known regions of the ‘Little Africa’ area, it brings together a number of traditional local businesses.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Cais do Valongo, Avenida Barao de Tefe Saude, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20220-460 Brazil
A former slave port, it fell into oblivion after the prohibition of the slave trade, its ruins being rediscovered during the renovation works in the region. Listed by UNESCO as a material heritage of humanity
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Painel Etnias, Av Rodrigues Alves,241 – Gamboa, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20081-250 Brazil
The largest continuous urban art panel in the world, located in the cruise ship docks. The artist named Kobra was commissioned to the work on the occasion of the Olympic Games.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Museu Historico Nacional, Praca Marechal Ancora S/N Centro, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20021-200 Brazil
Optional visit to ‘Museu Histórico Nacional’, one of the most important Museums in Rio and Brazil. In this museum, we can learn more about the different aspects of Brazilian culture and history, from the stone age to nowadays
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Historic Petropolis Tour
Stop At: Imperial Museum, Rua da Imperatriz 220 Centro, Petropolis, State of Rio de Janeiro 25610-320 Brazil
The former summerhouse of the Brazilian Imperial Family, built in the 1800s. Todays it hosts a museum dedicated to expose their everyday life when they were in the city.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Catedral de Sao Pedro de Alcantara, Rua Sao Pedro Alcantara 60, Petropolis, State of Rio de Janeiro 25685-300 Brazil
The Neo-Gothic style Metropolitan Cathedral, where the remains of former emperor Dom Pedro II and part of his family are buried.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Casa De Petropolis / Casa Dos 7 Erros, Rua Ipiranga, 716, Petropolis, State of Rio de Janeiro 25610-150 Brazil
A historic house, built by the heir of a coffee baron, with picturesque architecture and gorgeous inside.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Centro Historico de Petropolis, Rua do Imperador, Petropolis, State of Rio de Janeiro 25620-900 Brazil
This region is full of historic houses, used to be owned by the most powerful families in Brazil of the late IXX Century. Full of stories about the houses and the people that used to live there, it’s a good opportunity for a walk and pics.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Quitandinha Palace Congress and Convention Center, Avenida Estados Unidos 2, Petropolis, State of Rio de Janeiro 25651-050 Brazil
This building was once the biggest Hotel-Cassino in South America, receiving guests from all over the world. Today it works as both a condo and a cultural center, hosting musical presentations, local fairs, and art exhibitions.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: Cervejaria Bohemia, Rua Alfredo Pacha 166, Petropolis, State of Rio de Janeiro 25685-210 Brazil
Bohemia, the first brewery of Brazil. Founded by German immigrants, this place has a special selection of draft beers that you won’t find anywhere else. Also, they have a restaurant that is our go-to recommendation for lunch.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
