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 Free Walking Tour Olympic Boulevard and African Heritage to learn about the heritage that helped shape today’s Brazil!
When visiting Brazil, it’s impossible not to talk about the influence of Africa in our culture! Just imagine samba, capoeira or feijoada, the things that Brazil is known for in the world. All these things have their roots in the African enslaved communities of Brazil!
Learn stories about how Brazilian cultural identity was shaped from slavery to today. Meanwhile, visit important historical sites and contemporary landmarks in the lesser-visited area of downtown Rio de Janeiro!
EN: Monday to Friday at 15h (3 PM)
ES: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 15h (3 PM)
Mauá Square, in front of MAR (Rio Art Museum)
Approximately 2:30 hours
Price: This is a Free Walking Tour in Rio de Janeiro and you decide the price! It’s completely up to you – no minimum or maximum!
Experience: This area of Rio is still a little less frequented by tourists, so in our opinion it is a good idea to visit a place with a tour. We will take you to places that you might not go to on your own. Our Walkers will share fascinating stories and curiosities about the history and life of Rio today.
Quality: Free Walking Tour is a sustainable tourism model for all budgets, and our staff will always give you their best charm, knowledge and travel tips. In 2018 we won the Trip Advisor certificate of excellence for the 4th time in a row!
Olympic Boulevard: The total length of the Olympic Boulevard is 3.5km, and we will cover approximately half of it. This area of the city was completely renovated for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and offers incredible views of Guanabara Bay.
Praça Mauá: This square is a mix of history and modernity. Here you will find the Museum of Tomorrow and the Museum of Art. Praça Mauá used to be an amphitheater for several historical monuments in Rio de Janeiro. Today it is a popular place for locals to hang out, but it also hosts some cultural events, especially on weekends.
Pedra do Sal: A small street in the heart of “little Africa”. They say that it was here that the first samba in history was played! Part of the city’s historical heritage also hosts the traditional samba circle every Monday night!
Cais do Valongo: A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017, Valongo Wharf was the largest port in the world to receive African slaves. The pier was filled in at the beginning of the 20th century and rediscovered in 2011 during the renovation projects of Rio’s port area for the Olympics.
Olympic Boulevard Graffiti: The largest graffiti in the world made by an artist is located on the Olympic Boulevard! A painting made by a Brazilian artist, Eduardo Kobra, as a project for the 2016 Olympics in Rio. The painting is 3000 square meters!
Reservations are required.
On the Free Walking Olympic Boulevard and African Heritage tour, 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 Olympic Boulevard and African Heritage tour 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!
Olympic Boulevard: The total length of the Olympic Boulevard is 3.5km, and we will cover approximately half of it. This area of the city was completely renovated for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and offers incredible views of Guanabara Bay.
Praça Mauá: This square is a mix of history and modernity. Here you will find the Museum of Tomorrow and the Museum of Art. Praça Mauá used to be an amphitheater for several historical monuments in Rio de Janeiro. Today it is a popular place for locals to hang out, but it also hosts some cultural events, especially on weekends.
Pedra do Sal: A small street in the heart of “little Africa”. They say that it was here that the first samba in history was played! Part of the city’s historical heritage also hosts the traditional samba circle every Monday night!
Cais do Valongo: A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017, Valongo Wharf was the largest port in the world to receive African slaves. The pier was filled in at the beginning of the 20th century and rediscovered in 2011 during the renovation projects of Rio’s port area for the Olympics.
Olympic Boulevard Graffiti: The largest graffiti in the world made by an artist is located on the Olympic Boulevard! A painting made by a Brazilian artist, Eduardo Kobra, as a project for the 2016 Olympics in Rio. The painting is 3000 square meters!
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