Rio de Janeiro · WALKING TOURS
Good walking tours fill up weeks ahead; the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Education-first guided walk through Rocinha with a local guide, Copacabana or Ipanema pickup, and community support.
“I want to thank our tour guide Ray She was really nice and very helpful Her English was great, all the information she gave us was really clear”
A respectful half-day walking tour of Rocinha, Rio, with local guides, real stories, city views, and Capoeira culture on foot.
“If you go to Rio you have to do this tour it’s a great insight into life here and we felt safer with our guide than we had at times on Copacabana beach ! We had wellington as the guide and he was brilliant !”
A 3-hour Rocinha walk with a local guide, minivan pickup, and a community contribution. Uneven steps, strong context, real Rio.
“Exactly as described. Feel confident that this tour is well worth it. Highly recommend it to everyone”
Walk Rio’s Vidigal favela with Russo Guia, meet at the Sheraton, and see Morro Dois Irmãos viewpoints in a 2.5-3 hour local experience.
“Be very humble. Beautiful city with beautiful people. You cant beat the breath taking views. I highly reccomend Roussou as a tour guide and camera man.”
Rio Centro walking tour with Lucemir: Theatro Municipal, Selarón steps, cathedral, and historic plazas for $29, about 3 to 4 hours.
“We enjoyed the walking tour with Lucemere and Lucas. The highlight was hanging out with these wonderful gents and exploring Brazilian history, culture, and landmarks from the local perspective.”
Private 3-hour Rocinha cultural walk with a bilingual local guide, rooftop views, and a thrilling start by motorbike in Rio.
“Makes you feel a whole lot more comfortable when your guide actually lives in the area you’re touring. Antonio was an excellent guide; friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. He made the tour fun & kept me wanting to see more.”
A 2-hour Rocinha walk with a local guide from inside the community, plus big Rio viewpoints like Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer.
“Experienced local guide shared his knowledge with honesty and respect. As we descended the many steps and alleyways at all times I felt safe. Highly recomended”
Sunrise hike to Morro Dois Irmãos from Vidigal, with lanterns, motor-taxi ride, and sweeping Rio views. 3.5 hours.
“Jessie was our tour guide and she was great! The whole experience from riding motorbikes through the favela to the sunrise on top of the hill was incredible. Definitely recommend!”
Walk Rio’s Little Africa from Mauá Square views to Pedra do Sal and Valongo’s history, guided in English for 150 minutes.
“We had a great time on this tour. Luana, our tour guide, was very informative and you could tell she was passionate about the information she was providing. It was very eye-opening and I would recommend this tour. It's a walking tour outside so be prepared to be out in the heat for 2.5 hours. But it was worth it.”
A 6-hour small-group food walk through Rio, from Copacabana juices to Santa Teresa art and a legendary Portuguese library.
“Excellent day trip... well organised from start to finish. did exactly what was promised, Train was good, food OK and driver pickup drop off very easy. Our guide Zohaib was excellent and knowledgeable given plenty of insights and getting us into all he right locations and in front of the queues. Overall perfect trip and well worth little bit extra for private tour and service....”
A 4 to 5 hour Centro walking tour with Bruno, tracing Rio's past to present from Cinelandia to Valongo Wharf.
“Amazing insights into Rio, and a fantastic experience overall. I feel like I learnt so much in just 4 hours - Thank you Bruno!”
Walk Rocinha with local guides in a small group. Learn daily life and Rio's social forces on a 4-hour Copacabana tour.
“The guide should have never left us alone during the walking tour because the 5 minutes he went away for some personal shopping, at least two locals approached us asking for money or obliging us to put cameras in our pockets. Besides I paid a 4hour walking tour that lasted no more than 2 hours”
Private 3-hour Centro walking tour through Rio’s history and architecture, from Theatro Municipal to Paço Imperial, with your group guide.
“Amazing, friendly and very informative walk around the historical center of Rio! 5 / 5 stars! Thank you!”
A 4-hour Old Rio walking tour with free church-and-palace stops, Olympic legacy at Mauá Square, and hotel pickup from Ipanema, Copacabana, Leblon.
“Only us 2 in the tour. The tour guide is constently busy texting on his phone and rushing us to get the tour over with. At one point he even comment that he is a man of the clock meaning he is intested only to make all check list that need to visit and get us over with.”
Ride Rio’s yellow Bonde up Santa Teresa, then walk to Selarón Steps, Arcos da Lapa, and Cinelandia in a small 3.5-hour tour.
“Wonderful experience and really Ivan was really friendly. We discovered a lot of little gems from Santa Theresa. We strongly recommend this tour.”
Every kind of day this city offers, and the best of each.
