FreeWalkerTours
Culture of Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, known worldwide for its paradisiacal beaches and breathtaking landscapes, is much more than a tourist destination. In addition to its natural beauty,
Join the most popular walking tour in Rio de Janeiro! More than 100,000 tourists have already participated in the first Free Walking Tour Rio de Janeiro!
Rio is certainly one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and that’s why everyone who visits here falls in love. But besides nature, beaches, Corcovado, carnival and caipirinhas, there’s a lot to see in this vibrant and colorful city.
Travel back in time on our Rio Free Walking Tour of Downtown and Lapa and relive the past as you stroll through Rio’s charming colonial streets and learn about the city’s four centuries of history. Join our Rio de Janeiro Free Walking Tour to gain a deeper understanding of the origins of Brazilian culture and society from colonization to the present day.
From Monday to Saturday at 10:30am and 3pm
Clock Tower at Largo da Carioca (close to Exit C of Carioca Metro Station)
Approximately 3 hours
Price: This is a Rio Free Walking Tour, so there is no fixed price! Everyone pays what they think the tour is worth. There is no minimum or maximum!
Quality: As there is no fixed price for the tour, our Walkers will always show you the best of their knowledge of the city, and ensure that every tour is an unforgettable experience. It is no wonder that we won the Trip Advisor certificate of excellence in 2024.
Learn from Rio de Janeiro experts: Our walkers are funny and dynamic storytellers who are totally passionate about Rio de Janeiro. During the Rio Free Walking Tour they will share wonderful tips on what to see and do during your stay in the Marvelous City. We make the tour with wonderful tips on what to do and see during your stay in the Marvelous City. We run the tour in a relaxed and interactive atmosphere, and everyone is welcome to join. For five years (2013), travelers from all over the world have approved our tours and had a great time exploring the city!
We will visit several attractions in the historic part of the city. Read about some of the places we will visit on the Rio Free Walking Tour.
Colombo Bakery: The most famous confectionery in Brazil, which was opened during the years of the Brazilian Republic, in 1894. The confectionery has Parisian-style architecture and delicious traditional Portuguese and Brazilian sweets.
Travessa do Comércio: Old commercial part of the city. Portuguese pavement and beautiful colonial houses. Today this area is full of cozy bars and restaurants to enjoy a happy hour after the tour!
XV Square: One of the most important squares in Rio de Janeiro. In this square we will find the city’s old port, the imperial palace and two important churches.
Imperial Palace: The home of the Portuguese royal family when they moved to Rio de Janeiro in 1808! Inside the Palace we will see some old photos of the area and the emperors of Brazil.
Cinelândia: One of the main attractions of the Free Walking Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s city center and Lapa. The name Cinelândia comes from cinema! It used to be a place for the city’s elite, full of cinemas and theaters. Cinelândia was also nicknamed the “Paris of Rio” or “Brazilian Broadway”.
Municipal Theater: Located in Cinelândia, one of the most fascinating buildings in downtown Rio is undoubtedly the Teatro Municipal. This eclectic building full of gold details is practically a miniature version of the Paris Opera!
National Library: Nothing more and nothing less than the largest bookstore in Latin America. This bookstore is based on 60,000 books that D João VI brought with him from Portugal in 1808. The bookstore has just finished a huge renovation, and it is incredible to see it from the outside.
Lapa: The most bohemian neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro. Here you will see the Carioca Aqueduct that used to transport water from the Carioca River to Largo da Carioca and other areas of the city center. Today the Carioca Aqueduct is an important landmark. We will also see a little bit of a building that looks like a Mayan pyramid. We don’t want to disappoint you, but in reality it is not a pyramid, but the metropolitan cathedral of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro.
Selarón Stairs: The final stop on the Free Walking Tour Downtown and Lapa, the most famous staircase in the world, Escadaria Selarón! More than 200 steps full of ceramic tiles from 60 countries around the world and from every corner of Brazil. Are you up for the challenge of looking for tiles from where you were born?
Attention! The Downtown and Lapa tour does not take place on holidays
On the Free Walking Tour Downtown and Lapa, discover the culture and history and see Rio de Janeiro from a much more enchanting perspective!
You have certainly heard many bad things about the Marvelous City, and you most likely encountered resistance from some family members, friends or acquaintances before deciding to embark on a journey to the Marvelous City.
Free Walker Tours’s mission on the Free Walking Tour Downtown and Lapa is to break all the paradigms you’ve heard about the city and show you how rich Rio de Janeiro is in history, culture and economy!
We guarantee you’ll never see the Marvelous City the same way again after joining our Free Walking Tour Downtown and Lapa. As you walk through the historic streets of downtown Rio, you’ll uncover fascinating stories, hidden gems, and local curiosities that will transform your experience. Expect to return home with unforgettable memories, amazing photos, and plenty of stories to share with friends and family.
Don’t miss the chance to enjoy this unique and authentic experience in the heart of Rio! Book your spot on the Free Walking Tour Downtown and Lapa now and find out why this tour is one of the most recommended in the city.
We can’t wait to explore with you!
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