Rio de Janeiro

Carnival, Christ the Redeemer and the most beautiful urban beaches on earth.

Rio de Janeiro is one of the world's most spectacular cities — dramatically set between the Atlantic Ocean, Guanabara Bay, the jungle-covered mountains of the Serra do Mar and the distinctive granite peaks (Corcovado, Pão de Açúcar) that give it an unmatched natural backdrop. It is a city of beauty, vitality, social inequality and the most famous carnival on Earth. The Christ the Redeemer statue (Cristo Redentor) on the summit of Corcovado (709m), arms outstretched over the city, is one of the world's most recognisable monuments — the view from the base looks out over the entire city and bay in a panorama of extraordinary breadth. The Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar), accessible by cable car in two stages, gives equally spectacular views particularly at sunset. Both can be crowded; morning visits are best. Copacabana and Ipanema beaches are world-famous and genuinely excellent — the beach culture here (futebol, volleyball, caipirinha vendors, outdoor showers, the entire city sunbathing together) is at its most vivid on weekends. Lapa, the historic entertainment district, is the best destination for live samba music on Thursday and Friday nights. The Carnaval (February/March) is the world's largest festival — the Sambódromo parade is extraordinary. Santa Teresa, the hillside bohemian neighbourhood above Lapa, has excellent restaurants and views. Security has improved significantly in tourist areas.