6 free and easy to access lookouts in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is known worldwide for its beautiful natural landscapes. The contrast between its green mountains, the blue sky and sea, and the architectural interventions give a unique aspect to the city, not found anywhere else on the planet. No wonder, in 2012, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) awarded Rio de Janeiro the unprecedented title of World Heritage for its Urban Cultural Landscape (see here).

With beaches and mountains to all sides, there are many ways to admire the beauties of Rio. But, perhaps the most obvious (and best) way is to enjoy the view from the top of these mountains, in lookouts scattered throughout the four corners of the city.

That’s why we have listed 6 breathtaking lookouts in Rio de Janeiro! In common, they have the fact that they are totally free and easy to access. And your only task will be to visit them. However, each one has its own peculiarity.

In this post, they are listed from the lowest to the highest. Choose your favorite, but keep in mind that they are all absolutely not to be missed!

1. Pasmado Lookout

The Pasmado lookout is located in Yitzhak Rabin Park, hidden in Botafogo neighborhood, very close to Rio Sul and Casa & Gourmet shopping centers. From there, you will have a beautiful view of the Sugarloaf, Botafogo Beach with its small boats and the Corcovado. All of them are framed by the trees that surround the lookout. It is a beautiful place to chat since there are stools to sit along the park, and also to get away from the heat of Rio as the trees in the park make the environment cooler.

The access to the lookout is along General Severiano Street, going up a ramp just outside the Pasmado tunnel. If you are good at hiking, the viewpoint is only 1.3 km away from Rio Sul Mall. It is approximately 18 minutes walking, on an asphalted and not very steep road. However, if you are not into hiking, a cab, Uber or Cabify will take you there without any hesitation and without you having to spend a small fortune!

* Alameda Embaixador Sanches Gavito, no number – Botafogo. No day and time restriction. With free parking and entrance.

2. Dois irmãos - Two Brothers Cliff Natural city Park (70 meters)

Inaugurated in 1992, Dois Irmãos (Two brothers) Park has four different lookouts with beautiful views of Leblon, Ipanema, Arpoador and São Conrado beach; to the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, the Botanical Garden and the streets of the South Zone. Of these viewpoints, the most beautiful is the first one, the Mirante do Penhasco, located behind the memorial to the victims of the Air France flight, which reveals a beautiful view of the Leblon, Ipanema, and Arpoador beaches.

Getting to Dois Irmãos Park is easy because there is no need for hiking. If you leave from the end of Leblon Beach (one of the 10 best beaches in Rio), the walk there will take about 20 minutes. It`s approximately 1.3 km, being 600 meters of steep ascent, from the Rua Aperana, in the High Leblon. If you are going by subway, alight at Antero de Quental Station. The walk will be equal to the distance from those who leave the beach. For those going by car, there is free parking at each of the lookouts. It is entirely possible to also go by taxi or Uber.

* Rua Aperana, number 178, Leblon. From Tuesday to Sunday, from 8 am to 5 pm. With free parking and admission.

Carioca Tip:

Dois Irmãos park can be more than a visit to its lookouts as it has an excellent infrastructure with water fountains, restrooms, playgrounds, benches along the way and lots of green. Great place for a picnic!

3. Parque das Ruínas (87 meters)

Parque das Ruínas (Ruins Park) is a Cultural Center located in the neighborhood of Santa Teresa. Its ground houses the ruins of the mansion of one of the most important carioca Maecenas in the early twentieth century: Laurinda Santos Lobo. Her residence was the meeting point of Brazilian modernism! Among those who attended the serenades promoted by Laurinda, were famous artists as Villa Lobos, Tarsila do Amaral, and João do Rio.

Currently, the visitation to the Ruins Park is free. Moreover, from the balcony of the old house, we have a beautiful view of the Sugarloaf and Rio de Janeiro Downtown, including the famous Arcos da Lapa and the modern Metropolitan Cathedral. Therefore, the park becomes a must-see for those who visit Santa Teresa neighborhood.

The most fun way to get there is to take the Santa Teresa’s tram. Just hop on Largo do Curvelo and walk 450 meters to the park. For those who travel by car, it is possible to park inside the Chácara do Céu Museum, right next to the Park.

* Rua Murtinho Nobre, 169. Tuesday to Sunday, from 8am to 6pm. It is possible to park in the street, or at the Chácara do Céu Museum, right next door. Free entrance.

Carioca Tip:

Besides its beautiful view, Parque das Ruínas is a great option for children and adults. For the small ones, it has toys and a musical park. For the adults, the Cultural Center hosts various types of exhibitions, plays, concerts, and workshops. To know their schedule and entry for the special events, access this link here.

4. Dona Marta Lookout (360 meters)

I would say that if you have just a few hours in Rio de Janeiro, this is where you have to go! From there, you will have one of the most classic views of the city, with the Sugarloaf right in front of you and Christ the Redeemer right next to you, blessing the whole city. Most probably, this is the picture of Rio de Janeiro that you have engraved in your mind.

From this lookout, you’ll see the Marvelous city at almost 360 degrees, with all its main points, including Maracanã stadium, located in the North Zone of the city; Rio-Niterói Bridge, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, the entire Guanabara Bay and even the most distant beaches of Niterói. Unmissable!

The ideal way to get to this lookout is by car. Walking the ascent to Dona Marta lookout from Cosme Velho neighborhood is quite drawn up (approximately 30 minutes up the hill). If you opt for taxis and other private transport services, ask the driver to wait for you. As the place is tucked away, you might not have options to get back! But remember that it is worth to spend a lot of time there and, if in the end, you choose to go down by foot, going down is easier than up!

→ Or we have a better idea! Hire our carioca services. We can take you to this and the next two lookouts on this list, plus many other places with all the comfort you deserve! See more here.

* Ladeira dos Guararapes, no number (signs indicate location), Cosme Velho. Every day from 8am to 5pm (until 6pm during daylight savings). With parking options. Free entrance.

Carioca Tip:

Dona Marta lookout also has a heliport. If your budget allows, this is the best place to start your helicopter ride through the Marvelous city! If you are traveling on a small budget, pass by the heliport anyway. The view from the airstrip is spectacular! And from there you have the closest view of Christ the Redeemer.

5. Chinese View Lookout (380 meters)

A must stop for those who visit the Tijuca Forest, this lookout has a unique view of the southern area of Rio de Janeiro. Here, you are no longer beside Christ the Redeemer, but, yes, behind it, with all the mountainous curves of the city right in front of you. So it is from there that, perhaps, it is easier to understand why UNESCO has given this landscape the title of World Heritage. In regards to the name of the lookout and its obelisk built in the early twentieth century, it is a tribute to the Chinese who settled in the region to cultivate tea in Brazil.

This lookout is located right in the middle of the Tijuca Forest. Consequently, it may not be considered by some as an easily accessible gazebo. However, it is on this list because the visit to Floresta da Tijuca is mandatory for those who visit Rio de Janeiro and, being so, you should pass through this lookout at some point!

To visit it, you can go by car or bike (for those who have breath). The quickest way is to enter the Forest through the Jardim Botânico neighborhood. Though the ideal is that you enjoy the trip there to visit other important points of the Forest.

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* Estrada Dona Castorina, no number. Tijuca forest, Alto da Boa Vista. No time restrictions, with parking. Free entrance.

6. Pedra Bonita Flying Ramp (520 meters)

It is also in the Tijuca Forest that is located the most famous ramp for paragliding and hang gliding flights in the city. It is next to Pedra Bonita and very close to Pedra da Gávea, which enchants us with its human face format. The brave jumpers head towards São Conrado Beach and Dois Irmãos hill.

Fortunately, the place is also open for those who are not going to jump and just want to enjoy this beautiful view and the blue sky and sea of Rio de Janeiro.

It is also the most recommended to go by car. To get to the ramp, follow Estrada das Canoas, from São Conrado Beach. The entrance is well indicated by signs. And you will know exactly where it is because the access is controlled by traffic agents. The parking spot is small, and the final climb up to the ramp is quite steep and narrow. Consequently, the agents control the number of cars that go up there. And, attention: in this control, those that will fly of paragliding or hang glider have the preference.

* Estrada da Canoa, no number. Tijuca forest, Alto da Boa Vista. Every day, from 8 am to 7 pm. With parking (however, often packed). Free access.

Carioca Tip:

If you are not up to jumping from hang gliding, and at the moment of your arrival it is not possible to climb up to the ramp due to excess vehicles and/or people, the alternative is to go to the Mirante das Canoas, just before the entrance of the ramp. The view from there is very similar to the ramp, and it will be possible to see the lawns of Gavea Golf Club, Pedra da Gávea, Morro Dois Irmãos and Pedra Bonita itself. Now, if you are an adventurous type, do not miss the opportunity to fly above our beautiful city.

These are our favorites city views of Rio de Janeiro.

And it will be a pleasure to accompany you on this tour if you prefer to visit them with a local guide – learn more here.

Still, there are many other lookouts in and around Rio de Janeiro that are worth checking out and have not entered this list for different reasons. However, they will be included in another post.

Perhaps you’re wondering why we didn`t add the Corcovado and Sugarloaf classics. The answer is simple: they are the most expensive in the city. It is evident, however, that for their importance and beauty they will soon receive an exclusive post!

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What did you think of this list? Have you chosen your favorite lookout? Your favorite lookout point did not appear on this list? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.