Tours/Rio de Janeiro/From the Past to the Present: A Historical Walking Tour of Rio
Viator · group up to 10 pax

From the Past to the Present: A Historical Walking Tour of Rio

5.0(116)Rio de Janeiro1 hour
TRIPADVISOR5.0(116)

Description

Limited Time in Rio? Discover Hidden Gems & Local Life! Maximize your Rio adventure with our unique tour, perfect for those who want to go beyond the usual tourist spots. Escape the crowds, breathe in the fresh air, and truly connect with the city by mingling with locals. Along the way, you'll explore unique buildings and uncover fascinating stories about Rio's history and culture. Experience the authentic Carioca spirit in a way that fits your schedule. Book your unforgettable glimpse into the real Rio today!"

Tour Options

From the Past to the Present: A Historical Walking Tour of Rio

Itinerary

20 min

This is where our experience will start. We will meet at Starbucks. Cinelandia is an area where some of the prettiest buildings in Rio are located. Theatro Municipal, Biblioteca Nacional, Museu Nacional de Artes and the old Supremo Tribunal Federal buildings.

30 min

Here we'll visit the first public park in Latin America.

20 min

Here we'll visit the world famous Selaron Steps. This amazing art work measures 125 meters long with over 2000 tiles.

Pass by

Here we'll see an engineering marvel from the the 1700's. This water aqueduct was used to supply water to the city and now is used by the Bondinho de Santa Teresa.

20 min

Here we'll visit a very unique and different Cathedral.

10 min

The Royal Portuguese Reading Room is a truly stunning place, but it can get incredibly busy with long lines. This might affect how much time we can spend inside. To keep our tour on schedule, we might only be able to see the outside of the building.

10 min

One of the most beautiful churches in the city and the second-largest temple in the city.

Pass by

Here we'll see how the city changed since its beginning.

15 min

The Monastery of São Bento do Rio de Janeiro is a historic monastery located on Morro de São Bento, in the center of the city of Rio de Janeiro. It is one of the main monuments of colonial art in the city and in the country.

Pass by

We'll pass by Mauá Square on our way to the famous Kobra Graffiti.

5 min

The largest graffiti in the world.

5 min

The Cais do Valongo (Valongo Wharf) is an archaeological site located in the port area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It holds immense historical and spiritual significance as it was the main landing point and trading center for enslaved Africans brought to Brazil between 1811 and 1831.

Highlights

We use the VLT train system to access some of the locations on the list.
Licensed Tour Guide

What's included

Included
We use the VLT train system to access some of the locations on the list.
Licensed Tour Guide

Traveller Ratings

5.0
116 reviews
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116
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2
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Important Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Reviews(116)

C
CaterinaS16
July 2, 2026
Best guide we've ever had!!!

Bruno is the most knowledgeable, attentive, respectful, passionate tour guide we have ever met in all our travels, from business to leisure experiences. The tour covers hidden gems you would never discover alone, and while you walk and stop and walk again, Bruno makes every corner resonate with the history of Rio from his foundation to recent times. The pace is perfect, and with his vibe and enthusiasm you never feel tired. If you are searching for a real Rio experience that will make you deep dive into the carioca culture and get to know as much as you want about this wonderful city and Brazil, search no further and book him fast!

Operator response

Thank you so much 😊

5
544jungl
June 25, 2026
Great day learning about the history of Rio with Bruno!

Bruno was a fantastic tour guide - he went above and beyond to show us a deep history of the city, and it was great getting to know him better throughout the day too. We highly recommend Bruno for anyone looking to do a tour in Rio!

Operator response

Thank you so much 😊

3
384sofic
June 22, 2026
Wonderful experience walking through Rio.

We had a tour with Bruno, and it was fantastic. Exploring the city with him as our guide was a wonderful experience. He was genuine, knowledgeable, and passionate about sharing information about the area. Bruno was very attentive to our needs throughout the tour and went above and beyond to ensure we had a great time. He also took amazing photos for us, which was a wonderful bonus. We highly recommend him to anyone looking for an informative and enjoyable tour experience.

Operator response

Thank you so much 😊

Z
zEnd89
June 22, 2026
Must try tour if you are visiting Rio

Amazing city tour around Rio city center with a great tour guide who is very attentive and knowledgeable. He was always looking out for us and made sure we are comfortable around the city center and helped us taking great pictures from the best angles

Operator response

Thank you so much 😊

E
evarttt
June 12, 2026
Best tour guide ever

Absolute best tour guide ever! Complete tour of all the highlights in Rio’s Centro with the amazing guide Bruno, very knowledgable about Rio’s history, and also shared a lot of less known facts about Rio’s society and culture. 100% would recommend!

Operator response

Thank you so much 😊

T
Troy d
June 9, 2026
The best tour for understanding Rio

Probably the best tour in Rio if you really want to learn about the city and its history. Bruno knows it all, explains everything in a clear and engaging way, and speaks fluent English. I really feel like I understand Rio from A to Z now!

Operator response

Thank you so much 😊

7
727vincentg
May 19, 2026
BBTours is the Best!

From A-Z Bruno was awesome! We had such a great tour! We hit many highlights in Rio. But it was the off beaten places and people we met that made the adventure with Bruno unforgettable! He’s the unofficial mayor of tourism in Rio, so generous with you and the people who make these spots pop! He’s a genius of kindness and respect for others. I what ever forget his spirit!

Operator response

Thank you so much 😊

Y
yoselint380
January 5, 2026
Vacation in Rio De Janeiro

Bruno was very helpful, patient, friendly! He went above and beyond to make our trip unforgettable. We got vip tickets to the sugarloaf and the Chris. We felt safe walking around with him. I totally recommend him . We did few trips with him….. (samba, restaurant….)

Operator response

Thank you so much

V
Vedran P
November 26, 2025
Rio's heartbeat

We chose Bruno for a private historical tour in English, and we ended up experiencing far more than we expected. Bruno is a well-connected local who clearly knows everyone, and everyone knows him. His ties to the neighborhoods we visited allowed him to reveal a side of Rio that few tours can offer. We explored the city’s evolution from its origins to the present day and gained insight into the true heartbeat of this captivating, complex city. I wholeheartedly recommend Bruno. When I return to Rio, he will be the first person I reach out to!

Operator response

Thank you so much 😊

J
jamescO1355GD
November 15, 2025
Amazing insights into Rio

Amazing insights into Rio, and a fantastic experience overall. I feel like I learnt so much in just 4 hours - Thank you Bruno!

Operator response

Thank you so much 😊

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