City Tour of Art, Architecture and Culture in Downtown Rio de Janeiro

After pick ups, the tour starts with a visit to the Maracanã Stadium (outside only) where we will have a quick stop for pictures at the Bellini’s statue, a famous captain who led Brazil’s soccer team to win the World Soccer Cup in 1958.

After seeing Maracanã Stadium we will head to the Sambadrome, get ready to see where the magic happens every year. You'll see where the biggest carnival parade happens.

The Candelária Church is an important historical Roman Catholic church in the city of Rio de Janeiro, in southeastern Brazil. It was built and decorated during a long period, from 1775 to the late 19th century. The church combines a Baroque façade with a neoclassical and Neo-Renaissance interior elements

Following we will then visit the São Bento Monastery. A place of monastic simplicity that is one of the most beautiful architectural complexes in Brazil where there is a surprising contrast between the austere, purposefully simple appearance of the exterior and the richness of the interior highlighting gilded Baroque engravings with plants motifs. See for yourself the exuberant Rococo style in the engraving on the high altar, followed by a view of the dome and the Chapel of the Santíssimo Sacramento.

As we continue through the city, we will see the Lapa Arches, Lavradio street and Avenida Chile. There we will visit the cone-shaped Metropolitan Cathedral, a major landmark in this Brazilian city and a masterpiece of modern art. With architecture inspired by the Mayan pyramids of Mexico, the conical shape is believed to give proximity to God. Four stained glass windows run from floor to ceiling forming a cross at the top. You will notice that acoustics are great in there!

The Carioca Aqueduct is located in the center of the city, in Lapa neighborhood, and is frequently called Arcos da Lapa (Lapa Arches) by Brazilian people. Since the end of the 19th century the aqueduct serves as a bridge for a popular tram that connects the city center with the Santa Teresa neighborhood uphill, the Santa Teresa streetcar.

Next we will visit the Escadaria Selarón or Selaron staircase, a colorful tiled stairway, work of a self-taught Chilean artist Jorge Selarón. Having traveled the world, Selarón moved to Rio in 1983, in a tiny house just in front of the desolate stairway connecting the areas of Lapa and Santa Teresa. 215 steps that he entirely covered with tiles collected in urban areas of Rio or donated by visitors from all around the world. Since 1990, Selarón has laid over 2000 tiles, He choose green, yellow and blue as main colors like the Brazilian flag: unique pieces representing a “tribute to the Brazilian people”. It has starred in many music videos such as "Beautiful" by Snoop Dog and Pharrel Williams in 2002.

The Nossa Senhora da Glória do Outeiro church is one of the most important monuments of Brazil's colonial religious heritage. Architecturally speaking, the building is an 18th century masterpiece - the temple and nave still bear the original Azulejo decorated tiles, small works of art in themselves. Though ornamental, these pieces depict Biblical scenes from the Book of Tobit and the Song of Songs with startling clarity.

The Botafogo beach are one of the most beautiful postcards of Rio de Janeiro, being inside the Guanabara Bay and having the Sugar Loaf ahead to set the scene. However the beach is more frequented by locals, for sports, sun bathing and recreation, instead of swimming. Occasionally some music concerts are organized in the place.

Is one of the most famous and most beautiful beaches in the world. The atmosphere is very vibrant and the people are colorful and fun loving.After the pick-up we will start the tour from Copacabana Beach.