Rio de Janeiro was chosen as the best destination to watch the sunset according to Booking.com’s global customer recommendations.
This was the result of a survey commissioned by Booking.com and conducted independently of 48,413 respondents across 31 markets in January 2022
We Cariocas already knew it. We know the sunset here is a true and free daily spectacle. But if you didn’t know that, now it’s time to discover. So we made this short list of some of the best places to watch the sunset in the Marvelous City.
Check it out, and be sure to add at least one of them on your trip to Rio de Janeiro.
Arpoador Stones
Ipanema
No wonder one of the oldest posts on our blog describes this ritual in detail in the city: the sunset at Arpoador Stone is the favorite of “Cariocas” and also the most iconic, romantic, and democratic one.
The sun’s rays reflect on the water and cause an explosion of colors that contrast with the most bright yellow. In the background, the “Morro Dois Irmãos” becomes the ideal background. This is what is happening right in front of you. But when you look to your right, the landscape is also beautiful. You will see the entire curvilinear edge of the beaches of Leblon and Ipanema, bordered by the buildings and mountains of Rio, including the famous Pedra da Gávea and Corcovado with Christ the Redeemer.
Don’t expect silence and contemplation. For Cariocas, the sunset is also a reason to celebrate. So at the end of another day, there will be lots of applause.
Learn more at Arpoador, the favorite sunset of the Cariocas
Visit Arpoador Stones on our tour: The most beautiful beaches in Rio
Sugarloaf Mountain and Morro da Urca
Urca
One of the city’s main postcards also offers fantastic views at sunset. The color varies according to the seasons. In winter, it gains shades of pink and lilac. In summer, red and orange are predominant.
During the high season, the space may be crowded, as it’s one of the two main attractions of the city. But it is worth planning to see the sunset from the top of Morro da Urca or Sugarloaf Mountain which, unlike Corcovado, is open until later, around 8pm.
Learn more at Sugarloaf Hike and Happy Hour at Urca
Visit Sugarloaf Mountain on our tour: Sugarloaf Hike and Happy Hour at Urca
Mureta da Urca
Urca
Very close to Sugarloaf Mountain is another place where Cariocas love to watch the sunset. Mureta da Urca is a small stone wall that separates the charming neighborhood of Urca from Guanabara Bay, where you can see the sun setting behind Christ the Redeemer. Just beautiful!
Of course, that’s why the place was chosen as one of the favorites for Happy Hour. In the local bars, small groups of Cariocas buy beer, “empada” and “pastel” and head to Mureta to follow the daily show.
Fridays and Saturdays may get crowded! So arrive early to secure your spot right in front of Christ the Redeemer.
Find out more at 10 unmissable things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Live Happy Hour at Mureta da Urca with Rio by Cariocas
Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon
Lagoa
With 2.4 million square meters of surface and surrounded by the hills of the Tijuca Forest, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas is another incredible setting to enjoy the sunset.
The place is the favorite of Cariocas for the practice of outdoor sports. On the water surface, sports such as rowing can be practiced, or simply a pedalo ride. In the surroundings, there is a paved bike path 7.5 km in length and various equipment for leisure and sports.
But if jogging is not your style, in the surroundings of the Lagoa there are also restaurants with regional and international cuisine and many options for live music. The atmosphere is very familiar and quiet in this neighborhood, which is one of the richest in the city.
What about having a picnic with your family and enjoying the sunset at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas? Learn more here.
Barra da Tijuca Beach
Barra da Tijuca
On the other side of the city, the sunset is also beautiful. And some Cariocas prefer to spend their afternoons on the beach, despite mornings, for this reason. Praia da Barra, unlike the beaches in the South Zone, has an extensive stretch of fine white sand that beautifully combines with the sunlight. You can almost forget that you are in a city with almost 7 million inhabitants.
Here the climate is also quite familiar, and it is common to see children playing in the sand with their shovels and buckets and running happily as the sun sets.
Learn more at The 10 best beaches in Rio according to the Cariocas
Visit Barra da Tijuca with Rio de Janeiro by Cariocas. Check the tour The most beautiful beaches in Rio
Did you like this list? If you are a big fan of sunsets like me, you can schedule one per day in the Marvelous City! But how about extending your trip through Brazil and enjoying the sunset in other of our cities?
In the same Booking.com survey, three other Brazilian destinations were among the top 10 in the world to watch the sunset: Jericoacoara, in Ceará, reached the fourth position; Búzios, in the state of Rio, the sixth; and Salvador, in Bahia, the eighth.
You can already tell that if you are a lover of this daily show, Brazil has to be the destination of your next trip, right? Count on our team for a perfect trip! Learn more at Travel Planning.
