Top 5 Day Trips From Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, the Wonderful City, enchants the world with its iconic beauties: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana and Ipanema. But, beyond the postcards, the region offers a universe of unforgettable experiences for those looking for adventure, exuberant nature and authentic culture. In this post, I invite you to discover some incredible places very close to the city of Rio de Janeiro. Day trips where you can enjoy paradisiacal beaches, charming cities and unique experiences. Get ready to discover an authentic Rio de Janeiro, beyond the traditional itineraries!
Petrópolis – 70 km from Rio
Just a short drive from Rio de Janeiro, Petrópolis reveals itself as an imperial refuge with a European feel. Founded by Dom Pedro II in 1830 as a summer retreat for the court, the city boasts a rich past and exuberant architecture, as well as a mild climate and breathtaking mountainous landscapes. At the time of the Empire, the summer season in Petrópolis lasted around six months, when the city became the seat of government. Along with D. Pedro II and the imperial family, nobles, diplomats and intellectuals moved to Petrópolis, who also built their palaces there. Visit the Imperial Museum, the former summer palace of the royal family, and admire the period furniture, works of art and personal belongings of the emperors. Explore the Crystal Palace, built in cast iron and glass to house the 1889 International Exhibition, and be enchanted by its singular beauty. You can’t miss the Quitandinha Palace, which is more than a hotel, a unique experience for its beauty and history that can be discovered through a guided tour.
Cachoeiras de Macacu – 80 km from Rio
Cachoeiras de Macacu is a city located 1h30 from Rio de Janeiro that offers a paradisiacal setting with crystal-clear waterfalls, challenging trails and breathtaking landscapes. If you like a good trail this is the tour for you as the region has options for all experience levels. In Cachoeiras de Macacu, if you are looking for adventure, you can challenge yourself on steep and long trails, such as the Jequitibá Rosa Trail, which leads to the homonymous waterfall with its 60-meter-high waterfalls, or if you prefer a more relaxed walk, you can choose along short and easy trails, such as the Trilha da Cachoeira do Paraíso, ideal for families with children.
How to get:
Access to Cachoeiras de Macacu is easy and can be done by car, bus or train. By car, via BR-101, travel time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. By bus, several lines depart from the Rio de Janeiro bus station, with a journey of around 2 hours. The train, departing from Central do Brasil, takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Arraial do Cabo – 170 km from Rio
One of my favorite cities in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Arraial do Cabo could not be left out of this list. Nicknamed the “Brazilian Caribbean”, Arraial do Cabo is a paradisiacal destination with its crystal clear waters, white sand beaches and lush landscapes. Located just 170 km from Rio de Janeiro, the city offers a perfect refuge for those looking for sun, sea, nature and adventure. The beaches of Arraial do Cabo are true postcards. Praia do Forte, with its extensive stretch of white sand and calm sea, is ideal for relaxing and enjoying the sun. Praia do Forno is only accessible by trail or boat but it is totally worth it. For diving lovers, Praia do Pontal do Atalaia is an underwater paradise with rich marine life. An unmissable trip when in Arraial do Cabo is to take a boat trip to visit the main beaches and, if you are lucky, between the months of May and July, spot the humpback whales that visit the region.
Niterói – 19 km from Rio
If you want to visit a different place but want something close by, Niterói is a great choice. On the other side of Guanabara Bay, in 20 minutes via a short ferry ride, Niterói reveals itself as a surprising destination, with unique attractions. In Niterói you can visit the beaches of Camboinhas, Piratininga and São Francisco, perfect for sunbathing and water sports. A great beach for swimming is Itacoatiara beach with crystal clear sea and white sand. On this beach, in addition to the landscape, which is beautiful with the rocks, the sea and the vegetation that surrounds the beach, there is also in the right corner a place formed in an area surrounded by rocks, which is an ideal place for children to swim. Niterói is also a super interesting cultural hub where you can visit the beautiful Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC), designed by the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer or even the Municipal Theater of Niterói, which hosts dance, music and theater shows.
Ilha Grande – 180 km from Rio
Ilha Grande is part of the city of Angra dos Reis. The island is made up of 113 beaches and also waterfalls, trails, diving spots and tours that can be done on foot or by boat. To be honest, despite the proximity to the city of Rio de Janeiro, the ideal is to stay at least 3 days in the city to make the most of it. Cars are not allowed on the island and it is precisely this natural and more rustic environment that makes Ilha Grande so special. The first time I visited the island was in 2003 and since then I fell in love with the place.
In Ilha Grande, the main destination for visitors is Vila de Abraão, as it is the most structured place. There are two ways to get to the island: via public transport (boat) or private transport (schooners and fast boats). The ferry is the cheapest way, but it rocks a lot and takes longer to arrive. Private ones are faster, safer and more comfortable, but more expensive. Whatever your option, boarding is done from three cities: Conceição de Jacareí, Mangaratiba or Angra dos Reis.
If you decide to go by car, drive to one of the cities where boats leave and leave the car parked near the pier. In my opinion, of the possible options and leaving Rio, it is best to drive to Conceição de Jacareí (about a 2-hour journey). If you want to go by bus, I suggest taking the bus from Rio bus station to Angra do Reis and from there taking the ferry.
