Rio de Janeiro Beach Walk (Self Guided), Rio de Janeiro

The Copacabana and Ipanema beaches are two of the main reasons Rio is so famous around the world. While Copacabana is a year-round tourist hub, famed for its incredible New Year’s Eve celebrations, the Ipanema and Leblon neighborhoods have the cleanest, safest, most beautiful beaches in the city, and are the favorite playgrounds of Rio de Janeiro’s upper-middle class.

Start your tour with a stroll through Copacabana’s white sandy beach, which has the advantage of being flatter and easier to get in for a swim. Great restaurants running all the way along, and the staff provide great service on a lounger if you’re feeling lazy and fancy a few refreshments. The design mainly adopts an open and spacious walking path, with sidewalks mainly featuring abstract flowing patterns and mosaic blocks used as paving materials. From a high altitude, it is a series of continuous abstract patterns, naturally flowing and without repetition.

If you want quiet sea, there is a headland called Arpoador between Copacabana and Ipanema which is a lovely spot to watch the sunset while sipping on a cocktail. You will find Ipanema to be generally more relaxed; a smaller beach from sidewalk to the water, with all the comforts of “home on the beach” – including rental chairs, umbrellas, ice cold beer – as well as many surfing opportunities.

Finally, Leblon beach is essentially the same as Ipanema, but divided by a little creek and somewhat more upscale, as demonstrated by some of the higher-end hotels and bars in the vicinity. It’s also much quieter than Copacabana, though you will still see people playing football, working out and playing other sports.

Take our self-guided walking tour to discover these picturesque beaches and waterfront strips that will make for an unforgettable experience in Rio.