Rio Downtown: A Journey through History, Art, and Culture
Join us and discover the heart of Rio! Stroll through historic streets, admire stunning architecture, and explore iconic churches, museums, and monuments. Experience the vibrant culture where past and present meet in the lively downtown.
Things to do Rio Downtown: A Journey through History, Art, and Culture
We will start at Praça XV, next to Guanabara Bay, where the Portuguese colonial government was located. When the Portuguese crown and its court arrived, the empire established its headquarters there.
We will walk through streets full of history and legends, passing by Candelária Church, Presidente Vargas Avenue, and even some Olympic echoes . We will also visit São Bento Monastery and Praça Mauá, where classic and modern architecture coexist in harmony. From there we can have a just a glance of the "Little Africa" .
Then, we can take the VLT (a modern tram) to reach Largo da Carioca or Cinelândia and we will end in the Confiteria Colombo where you can stay having a brazilian coffee.
The tour will last approximately four hours, covering around 3 km, so comfortable shoes or sneakers are strongly recommended. If bringing children, keep in mind that the walking may be too much for them. For babies, a stroller or similar may be necessary.
Although we will be shaded by buildings and trees during the tour, there will be areas with direct sun exposure. We recommend bringing sunscreen, hats, and other sun protection. Toillet stops will be available in some points.
Included
Biblioteca Nacional de Registro de Obras
Statue General Osorio
Mosteiro de São Bento
Chafariz do Mestre Valentim
Praça Mauá
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Candelária
Central Bank of Brazil
Carioca Clock
Museu Nacional de Belas Artes
Imperial Palace Cultural Center
Arco do Teles
Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB)
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Lapa dos Mercadores
Praça XV de Novembro
Federal Justice Cultural Center
Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro
Palácio Tiradentes
Official Guide
Meeting point
Palacio Tiradentes.
Reviews (12)
2025-07-03 21:26:28
“An amazing promenade ”
Eduardo è stato molto gentile, ci ha aspettati nonostante avessimo fatto ritardo e non ha annullato il tour anche con la pioggia. Esperto di storia e appassionato di arte ci ha fatto passeggiare per downtown raccontandoci storie e spiegandoci arte e cultura locale. Consigliatissimo!
Chiara Ferrari (Italian)
2025-06-21 21:41:08
“Caminata increíble con Eduardo”
Todo fue excelente. Muy agradecido con Eduardo por todas las enseñanzas y paradas que nos mostró. Recomiendo ampliamente realizar el tour.
Andrea López Salmerón (Spanish)
2025-06-15 11:48:18
“One of the best free tours we ever had”
I cannot find enough good words to express my gratidute for Eduardo who was very attentive, polite, sincere and professional during our tour. Even though it was only 2 of us attending, he still didn't cancel and spent more than 4 hours with us showing wonderful Rio downtown. We got to know so much about Rio's history and culture during the tour as well as about the most pressing social issues this city and country has to face. We highly recommend this tour!
Aistė (English)
2025-06-13 15:29:10
“UNA AVENTURA POR EL CENTRO HOSTORICO DE RIO DE JANEIRO CON EL ME”
El tour con el Sr. Eduardo es lo mejor que pudimos hacer el 1er día en RJ, la historia la relata como un cuento y te va llevando en esos momento historico de la historia y el relato es placentero. Recomendado 100%, tiene mucha paciencia y tiene respuesta para cada pregunta o consulta, muy buen tour.
Yariela (Spanish)
2025-05-15 01:48:08
“Centro de Río: Un Vviaje por la Hhistoria, el Arte y la Cultura ”
Excelente todo. La claridad de explicaciones, el trato, la amabilidad, la paciencia de Eduardo, súper recomendable.
MARIA ESTHER (Spanish)
2025-05-05 20:10:27
“visita por el centro historico”
Fue un recorrido muy interesante, conociendo parte de la historia de Brasil y de Rio de Janeiro, visitamos lugares que de otra forma no hubieras conocido. Eduardo, super amable, nos fue guiando y contando aspectos de la historia y de la construccion de Rio. Muy recomendable para aquellos que quieran entrar en otros aspectos de la ciudad
Maria Eugenia Iturregui (Spanish)
2025-04-24 10:52:44
“Viaje pour la historia, la cultura y el Arte en el centro de Rio”
Adorei esse “épico” do centro histórico, cultural e artístico do Rio feito com o Eduardo!
Gracas a ele eu aprendi tantas coisas.
Você pode ver que ele ama seu trabalho e as pessoas através do que ele transmite.
A visita foi pontuada por detalhes, humor e muitas anedotas, não vemos o tempo passar.
Obrigado novamente por essas origens deste belo país e desta cidade magnífica, maravilhosa e efervescente ????
Fabienne Turck (Portuguese)
2025-04-06 13:42:32
“Great journey through the time in Rio”
We really liked the concept of this tour, because it is chronologically and begins with the foundation of the city in the harbour centre. From there you can follow the different periods of history by walking along the next quarters with their own individual architecture.
We also appreciated Eduardo very much as our tourguide. He was really well prepared and enthusiastic about sharing all this informations with us. Thanks again for this nice afternoon! We really appreciated it!
Stefan Korn (English)
2025-03-26 21:02:27
“Caminata divertida por el centro ”
Eduardo es apasionado y se siente. Nos enseñó mucho sobre la historia de Brasil con Europa. Nos llevó a lugares muy lindo. De más nos aconsejó sobre muchas cosas de la ciudad
Laura (Spanish)
2025-03-16 17:43:56
“Best tour & tour guide ever”
Thank you so much Eduardo for the breadth of knowledge that you shared with us.
It was so refreshing to hear you pronounce my unsual surname correctly.
If i could give more than 5 stars I would because that's how much valued your time, knowledge and kindness.
Thank you and all the best.
Tope Songonuga (English)
2025-03-14 20:33:37
“Freetourt maravilloso ”
O Guia Eduardo foi fantástico, muito satisfeita com tudo
María de Lourdes Bezerra (Portuguese)
2025-03-14 19:46:02
“Walking tour if Rio centro”
Eduardo was excellent. Very knowledgeable and providing the good balance of histrory and modern culture. Often stopping in air con or cool buildings to stop us overheating! Would definitely recommed Eduardo.
Rio Downtown: A Journey through History, Art, and Culture
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