Rio de Janeiro is one of the most desired destinations by those visiting Brazil. But do you know the other beautiful cities of the state besides the capital? Check out our list below with 6 cities nearby Rio de Janeiro that you must visit.
The main gateway to the country, the city of Rio de Janeiro is the second-largest metropolis in Brazil. It is the capital of the state of the same name, which has 92 towns in total.
From short trips to weekend getaways, these popular destinations nearby the city of Rio de Janeiro can be easily combined with your stay in the Marvelous City. They will amaze you with its natural beauty, cultural and historical attractions.
Therefore, here are some great cities to visit in Brazil that are close to Rio de Janeiro, listed by order of distance:
Niterói
Only 13 kilometers separate the beauties of Niterói from the Marvelous City.
The access to the nearby town is fast, and the tour begins just before you arrive. Departing from Praça XV, the ferries cross Guanabara Bay in about 30 minutes. From its windows, you can see Sugarloaf Mountain, the airplanes swooping to land at Santos Dumont Airport on one side, and the Rio-Niterói bridge on the other. With 13.2 km in length, the bridge is the other way to reach Niterói, either by car or intercity bus lines.
Cariocas usually joke that the best thing about Niterói is the panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro, but in fact, the neighboring city has much more to offer.
Niterói has parks, lookouts, ocean beaches, museums and is the second city in the world with the largest amount of works designed by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, surpassed only by Brasilia (Brazil’s capital).
Niterói main attractions
• Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) – Designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer, the place is one of the great attractions of the city and one of the most emblematic architectural works in Brazil. It is also one of the best lookouts in town.
• Itacoatiara Beach – Considered the most beautiful beach in the city, the preserved beach has a paradise setting and crystal clear waters.
• Parque da Cidade (City’s park) – At an altitude of 270m, Parque da Cidade is the place for Hang gliding and paragliding jumps. Moreover, it has a lookout with a wide view of the city and some of the famous Carioca postcards, such as the statue of Christ the Redeemer, the Two Brothers Hill, and the Sugarloaf Mountain.
Carioca Tip:
After visiting the MAC Museum, finish your day with a drink in Hotel H’s rooftop bar, which owns one of the most beautiful views in town.
Petrópolis
The map of Rio de Janeiro is basically formed by mountains, beaches, and islands. And the favorite destination of Cariocas when winter comes is the mountain town of Petrópolis, located 68km from Rio.
During the nineteenth century, when the city of Rio de Janeiro was still the capital of Brazil, Dom Pedro II fled the intense heat of the city to take refuge in Petrópolis. He loved the mild climate of the city so much that he built a palace there, as the summer residence of the imperial family. The palace is currently a museum where documents, furniture, jewelry, and objects belonging to court members are kept.
The city, known as the Imperial City, still retains the many mansions that were erected to receive court and aristocrats. The charm of the royal buildings, together with the pleasant climate and the excellent tourist infrastructure, make the city one of the main destinations for enjoying the winter in the Southeast.
Petrópolis main attractions
• Imperial Museum – The summer palace of the imperial family of Brazil during the second half of the nineteenth century is today an interesting museum that recreates very well the decoration and lifestyle of the family during his rule.
• Palacio de Cristal – Its precast cast-iron structure was commissioned from a French shop by Count D’Eu and is a unique attraction in the city.
• Santos Dumont House Museum – It was the summer residence of Alberto Santos Dumont, Father of Aviation, and is known as “The Enchanted house.” The museum has a collection of objects, books, letters, and furniture that belonged to the inventor, as well as some of his interesting inventions.
• Bohemia Brewery – Founded in 1853, Bohemia is the first beer in Brazil. It is possible to take a guided tour with tasting.
–> The city is also the perfect getaway for those who doesn’t like Carnival. Read more here.
Arraial do Cabo
Very close to the capital (160km from Rio), in the region that is called “Região dos Lagos” (lakes region), is located the city that is the Brazilian diving capital: Arraial do Cabo.
In addition to one of the best spots to dive in the country, the city gathers some of the most beautiful beaches of the Brazilian coast. With white sand dunes, sandbank vegetation, lagoons, and a crystal clear sea, it also has cliffs that serve as lookouts to enjoy its beautiful landscapes.
With sunny weather practically every day of the year, Arraial do Cabo is one of the best destinations for those who want to relax on the beach for a whole day. One of the main beaches of the city is Praia do Forno, which can only be accessed by hiking or by boat. The colorful blue of the water, the narrow strip of white sand, and the virgin vegetation that surrounds the landscape form a beautiful setting, worthy of being compared to the beaches of the Caribbean Sea.
Arraial do Cabo main attractions
• Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Church – Built in 1503, it is one of the first buildings in Brazil, located in Praia dos Anjos.
• Diving – The abundant marine life, crystal clear waters, and a myriad of “spots” for the activity such as shipwrecks, caves, slabs, and crevices.
• Boat Trips – There are several itineraries with amazing tours through the beautiful landscapes of the region.
Carioca Tip:
There’s another city very close to Arraial that you can combine your visit: Cabo Frio. The town has beaches of crystal clear water and white sand, excellent for water sports. The most popular is Praia do Forte, but if you are looking for good waves, surely you will find the beaches of Dunes, Foguete, and Peró. Japanese Island is also a popular spot for stand up and kayakers.
Armação dos Búzios
Also located in Região dos Lagos (170km from Rio), Búzios is a tourist resort surrounded by green sea and transparent waters. Its name derives from a type of shell found in large quantities on its sands.
The city became world-famous after French actress Brigitte Bardot visited the town in 1964 and categorically stated that the place was “a place of tranquility and paradise beauty”.
Then, the simple fishing village has become a luxurious and glamorous city that houses incredible inns, delicious restaurants, designer shops, and lively nightlife. All this made the town gain a curious title in the tourist environment: the “Brazilian Saint-Tropez.”
Búzios main attractions
• Rua das Pedras street – The most symbolic road of Buzios, where are all the main bars and restaurants, shops, and art galleries. It takes its name from the pavement made of stones.
• Orla Bardot – The boardwalk named after the actress surrounds Praia da Armação, from where the boat trips to the city’s beaches and islands.
• Geriba Beach (stronghold of surfers) and Ferradura (great for snorkeling).
Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande is a district of Angra dos Reis and is part of the tourist region called Costa Verde (Green coast). The island is part of a 187 island cluster and is the largest of the State’s coast.
With 192 km ² of lush vegetation typical of the Atlantic forest, the island is a true ecological sanctuary guarded by the Environmental Protection Area of the Tamoios and other three protected areas: the Parque Estadual Marinho do Aventureiro, Parque Estadual da Ilha Grande and the Reserva Biológica da Praia do Sul.
Ilha Grande main Attractions
• Acaiá Cave – 8 meters below sea level, is where you can see the phenomenon of fluorescence when the sun hits the water in the underground lounge.
• Cachoeira da Feiticeira (Witch Waterfall) – Of spectacular beauty, it exalts the admiration of those who visit and indeed is one of the best walks in all of Ilha Grande. Highly sought after by adventurers who practice rappelling.
• Lagoa Azul (Blue Lagoon)- A natural pool with a sandy bottom, some rocks, and predominantly blue water, located between two islets in the important historical region of Parish of Santana.
Paraty
The perfect combination between the blue sea and the green of the Atlantic Forest, Paraty is one of the most beautiful cities in the state, located 232km from Rio.
Founded in 1667, Paraty (along with Ilha Grande) was recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee as historical and natural heritage of humanity.
The city’s port was of the most importance during the gold cycle in Brazil, because it was at the port of the gold and precious stone production went from Minas Gerais to Portugal.
Its houses of colorful windows and doors add a charming touch to the city, which hides incredible waterfalls and lagoons within its mountains.
Paraty main attractions
• Historical Center – The streets protected by currents preventing the passage of cars, is an example of preservation and wealth of colonial architecture. Its colonial mansions today house many shops, workshops, inns, and restaurants. Is where tourists and locals meet for sightseeing, enjoyment, eating, and shopping.
• Casa da Cultura – Cultural Center that offers an extensive program about the culture of Paraty with temporary exhibitions, concerts, and children’s activities. In his auditorium, there are always varied programs of theater, cinema, and various events.
• Cachaça Tasting – The region is known by its tradition on cachaça production, our national beverage (link o que beber). There are several stills open to visitation.
Carioca Tip:
If you are visiting between June and July, don’t miss the famous International Literary Festival (Flip). The traditional literary event has the presence of famous national and international writers.
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