There was a period of my childhood when I did not live in Rio de Janeiro. But my vacations were always there, at my grandparents’ house. So I can say that my first sightseeing tours in Rio de Janeiro were with them. In fact, they were already seniors but still had a lot of energy to walk around the city with three small grandchildren. I first visited Santa Teresa with them. They also took me to discover Tijuca Forest and Parque Lage. And went up Corcovado for the first time.
The years have passed, my adult life arrived, and their disposition was no longer the same. Still, they never missed an opportunity when we invited them for a tour around Rio de Janeiro. My grandmother used to say: “Rio is always a delight for the eyes and soul.”
This list, therefore, includes my grandparents’ favorite outings when they were between 65 and 80 years old. And it will prove to you that Rio de Janeiro is also a perfect destination for seniors, with a lot or a little mood.
Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain
The two main attractions of the city are prepared to receive people with reduced mobility. Access to ramps, elevators, and escalators are part of the structure of the two tourist attractions. Therefore, those who no longer want to climb many stairs but like to admire Rio de Janeiro from above are very welcome.
Rio de Janeiro by Cariocas has a tour that offers a lot of comfort and safety to visit these two tourist attractions on the same day. Check this link here.
If you prefer to do these tours on your own, we also teach you how to do it. Read the articles:
How to Visit Christ the Redeemer
How to visit Sugarloaf Mountain
Viewpoints of the Tijuca Forest
This is the ideal tour to escape the heat and get some fresh air. Tijuca Forest, in the heart of the city of Rio de Janeiro, is full of viewpoints and easily accessible places of interest. Just a car and a few steps to reach breathtaking landscapes, waterfalls, and corners that can make you forget that you are in the middle of a large metropolis.
You should include in your itinerary the Cascatinha Taunay, the Fairy Lake (Lago das Fadas), the Weir of Solitude (Açude da Solidão), the Emperor’s Table (Mesa do Imperador), and the Chinese View (Vista Chinesa). Did you get hungry? Choose between Restaurante Os Esquilos, Bar da Pracinha or a visit to Instituto Moreira Sales, which houses a branch of Empório Jardim in its gardens.
You can also hire the tour: Private Tour to Tijuca Forest if you want the company of a local and the comfort of an executive car.
Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon
Beautiful landscape, wind in your face, children and young people practicing different physical activities, benches everywhere, street vendors offering churros and coconut water, and many restaurants. It is the ideal tour for seniors to feel younger and more integrated into Rio’s way of life, at any time of the day, but especially on weekends.
For the more excited, it is also possible to rent bicycles (individual or group), ride a pedal boat on the lagoon, or even venture out on a helicopter flight.
Republic Museum
The Museum of the Republic is located in a beautiful 19th-century Palace. It has rooms that preserve the original decoration and the recent history of Brazil, with facts that were experienced by the 30s, 40s, and 50s generations. Ideal tour for a very cultural afternoon.
Learn more about the Republic Museum here.
Want to visit the Republic Museum with a local tour guide? Hire our Private Custom Tour and build an itinerary based on your personal interests.
Municipal Theater + Confeitaria Colombo
Located in the main Economic, Political, and Cultural Center of Rio de Janeiro, visiting the Municipal Theater is the ideal tour for those who love history. Then, if it’s not possible to attend a show, at least you may take a guided tour to discover its interior.
In the same area of the Theater, there are other attractions in the city that are worth visiting. One of them, for example, is the National Museum of Fine Arts, located right next to the Theater.
If, however, time is short, opt for an afternoon tea in the magnificent building of Confeitaria Colombo, located at Gonçalves Dias Street, 32.
You can also visit these attractions in one of our Carioca Experiences. Check it out.
Carioca Tip:
The traditional Confeitaria Colombo has two other stores that may interest senior tourists. The first one is located inside the Centro Cultural do Banco do Brasil (CCBB) and is an option for rainy days. The other one is located at the Copacabana Fort, a choice for those who can’t resist a beautiful view.
Did you like these tips for seniors in Rio? How about bringing your grandparents for a walk-in Rio de Janeiro? Who warns friend is: enjoy every minute they are still by your side. And count on Rio de Janeiro by Cariocas to make these moments unforgettable for you and them.
