5 UNUSUAL THINGS TO DO IN RIO DE JANEIRO
Rio de Janeiro is the perfect destination for those who wants to enjoy a little bit of everything! Beautiful beaches and hills, added to a huge diversity of bars, restaurants and museums, give Rio the title of “Marvelous City”. Between hundreds of tourist attractions, we selected 5 unusual things to do in Rio de Janeiro!
UNUSUAL THING #1: LEME HILL AND LEME FORT
The first unsual thing of the list, is located at the end of Leme Beach (read about Leme beaches on our blog post about Rio best beaches, the hill is a great option of ecological walk! The hill has 800m (about 30min) and the rise is done through wooded road. At the top of the hill stands Leme Fort, built in 1776 to protect the Guanabara Bay. Besides being a Historical Point, the place offers a privileged view of Urca neighborhood and its beach (Praia Vermelha), Copacabana Beach and also of Niteroi (a city located just in front of Rio)
Address: Praça Almirante Júlio de Noronha, s/nº – Leme.
Working times: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30AM to 4:30PM
Tickets: R$ 4 (students R$2)
Tips: Free visitation on Tuesdays
UNUSUAL THING #2: MONASTERY OF SÃO BENTO
Founded in 1590, the Monastery and the church attached to it, the Abadia de Nossa Senhora de Monserrate, are one of the most precious historical and architectonical monuments of Rio de Janeiro. It’s a place o peace and silence at the center of the busy city of Rio de Janeiro
Address: Dom Gerardo Street, 68 – Center – Close to Mauá Square.
Visitation: Monday to Sunday, from 7h to 18h. Free entrance.
Tip: The choir of the Monastery monks is amazing, and it can be watched on Sunday masses at 10AM
UNUSUAL THING #3: LAGE PARK
This is my favourite of the list of unusual things. Awesome place for a picnic and a walks, Parque Lage has 52 hectares of green area. It’s geometrical gardens, lakes and grottos ensure entertainment of the children and make it a unique splendid place to the photography lovers. In the treks around the park you will see waterfalls and viewpoints and there even is a way that takes to Corcovado (see more details here)!
Stroll in the park means to enjoin the presence of the monkeys that transit in it and breath a little bit of fresh air at the middle of a big city. The place is also full of history and arts, as it houses an old mansion that is today Rio’s Visual Art School
Tips: In the mansion there is a charming coffee house, specially crowded on Sunday mornings
Address: Rua Jardim Botânico, 414 – Jardim Botânico
Working time: daily, from 8AM to 5PM. Free Entrance.
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UNUSUAL THING #4: CATACUMBA PARK
This is really an unusal place for tourists. Located in front of Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, the park offers 2 treks that take to the viewpoints of Sacopã and Urubu Rock, where is possible to contemplate the Lagoon, The Christ and Gavea Rock (the biggest rock in the world that ends in the see). The trek is fast and safe, done in 30 minutes of walk. To the adventures, there is a company that offers activities of tyrolese, climbing and rappel in the park. The prices are between R$20 and R$40 per person. The park also has gardens and open air architectures, providing visitors places to rest and picnics. The entrance is free
Address: Av. Epitácio Pessoa, 3000 – Lagoa
Working time: from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8AM to 5PM
UNUSUAL THING #5: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL
An unsual and cultural spot? One of my favorite points of Rio Free Walking Tour Downtown and Lapa, the National Library is, for sure, one of the most beautiful buildings of the city! It’s considered by UNESCO one of the 10 largest libraries in the world, and the largest in Latin America!
Working times: 9AM to 9PM
Address: Av. Rio Branco, 219 – Center
Tip: There are free guided visits in English every one hour
