A cultural guide to Rio de Janeiro

Also known as the Cidade Maravilhosa (“Marvellous City”), Rio is a truly beautiful place enhanced by its contagious energy, stylish restaurants, fantastic museums, and, of course, samba culture. Few cities could rival its cinematic setting, world-famous sights, iconic Carnival and 45 miles of beaches, including Copacabana and Ipanema. Rio life is beach life and if you head to any of the city’s stunning stretches of sand, you’ll gain an instant snapshot of Carioca culture: Think lively games of footvolley, relaxed sunbathers sipping from coconuts, fearless surfers catching waves, and scrappy entrepreneurs hawking everything from kickballs to bikinis. 

Discovered by Portuguese explorers in 1502, the bay around which Rio is built is still the heart of the city. Serving as the capital of Brazil between 1822 and 1960, Rio’s beauty belies its social inequality, with around 20% of the population living in run-down favelas. The culture is a mix of influences from Portuguese to African to indigenous, but the things that unite everyone are the beach and football. No trip is complete without experiencing a game at the Maracanã, one of the most famous stadiums in the world. 

The Museum of Modern Art (MAM) is set in stunning gardens by Roberto Burle Marx, who also designed Copacabana’s famous promenade. Take time to wander past iconic hotel Copacabana Palace and the beautiful Municipal Theater, and visit the futuristic Museum of Tomorrow in the revamped port at Praça Mauá. 

Music

Samba is an ever-present soundtrack to city life in Rio. To experience its magic, visit one of the city’s main samba schools such as Salgueiro or Mangueira. Spread over three floors, Rio Scenarium is one of the city’s best-loved clubs, with live samba almost every night. Bar Carioca da Gema and Clube dos Democraticos host live bands and are great for dancing. 

Watch before you go

Rio’s striking appearance has seen it crop up in everything from The Incredible Hulk and Moonraker to Twilight: Breaking Dawn. Not forgetting, of course, the Academy Award-winning City of God—widely acclaimed for its realistic depiction of favela life, it’s a modern classic. Meanwhile, Rio, I Love You is a series of short films set in different neighborhoods of the city.