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Bucket list experience:

City under mountains from a distance across bay

Last updated: 09 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Alex Robinson

Rio’s most famous mountain crouches like a sphinx over a perfect half-moon bay just close to Copacabana. It’s a stunning sight – its haunches carpeted with forest, its slopes reflected in the calm water.

The views from the top are even more breathtaking; especially in the late afternoon when the sun shines buttery-yellow on the sands of Copacabana, before dropping behind the Christ statue; and the lights of Rio twinkle on like stars.

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 4+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Sugar Loaf is actually two mountains – Sugar Loaf itself (Pão de Açucar) and neighbouring Urca Hill (Morro de Urca). Both summits are reachable by two ten-minute cable car rides (one paid ticket for both), setting off from the cable car base station in Urca neighbourhood. The first ascent is up Urca Hill, the second stage takes you up Sugar Loaf itself.

The nearest metro station, Botafogo, is a 10-minute bus or 5-minute cab ride away. The cable-car station is about 10 minutes by cab from Copacabana, 20 minutes from Ipanema and 10 minutes from Santa Teresa.

There are some rather pricey and mediocre café/juice bars on the summit of Morro de Urca, but they’re good enough for a snack or coffee.

When to do it

The cable car runs all year round.

Catch the first cable car up at 8am to avoid the queues and catch the best morning light or a ride up at around 3.30pm for the afternoon light and sunset (the last ride is at 6pm).

Like Corcovado, it’s unpleasantly busy in high season – Christmas and New Year, Carnival and during the Brazilian school holidays in June – and the queues can be tortuous. Avoid if possible.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Two of Rio's Best: Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf Mountain Half-Day Tour

Two of Rio's Best: Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf Mountain Half-Day Tour

Rio de Janeiro

If you are short on time, this the perfect tour to see the top attractions in Rio in just one morning. Embark on a tour to visit the Sugarlo...

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Rio's Full Day: Selarón Steps, Christ & Sugarloaf – Tickets & Lunch Included

Rio's Full Day: Selarón Steps, Christ & Sugarloaf – Tickets & Lunch Included

Rio de Janeiro

Make the most of your time in Rio in an 8-hour city tour to discover its most iconic attractions enjoying the company of a local guide and a...

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Full Day in Rio: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Maracana and Selaron with Lunch

Full Day in Rio: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Maracana and Selaron with Lunch

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Enjoy full-day tour in Rio de Janeiro visiting all the must-see attractions in one-single day: Christ The Redeemer Statue atop Corcovado Mou...

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Sugarloaf Cable Car Ticket

Sugarloaf Cable Car Ticket

Rio de Janeiro

With your ticket at Morro da Urca, you visit and have access to the Praça dos Bondes - which displays the two previous generations of the Su...

R160 | Rating 4.69 / 5 [353 ratings]

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Yoo2

Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[2.9 miles]

Good-value hipster hotels in upcoming Botafogo with Christ and Sugarloaf views from rooms and the rooftop bar

Official star rating:

Hotel Copacabana Palace

Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[3.2 miles]

Rio’s iconic, grand dame hotel has wonderful character, is steeped in history and has a choice beach location.

Official star rating:

Windsor Excelsior

Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[3.3 miles]

A 5-star location at 2-star prices – for great value and views, this Copacabana beach tower is hard to beat.

Official star rating:

Mama Ruisa

Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[4.3 miles]

Chic, discreet boutique hotel in a stunning hillside setting away from the beach, with wraparound views of Rio.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Rio de Janeiro

Southeastern Region, Brazil

Heaven for healthy hedonists – hang glide, surf or hike by day, relax on the beach and party all night. Then, of course, there’s that carnival…

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Walk the Pista Claudio Coutinho

Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[1.2 miles]

A wonderful rainforest and beach walk that winds around Morro da Urca hill next to Sugar Loaf mountain, offering myriad beautiful mountain and ocean views.

Best for ages: 8+ | Free | 45 mins (one way)

Sandy beach with tourists and city in backgound
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Copacabana Beach

Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[3.3 miles]

This world-famous 4km crescent is the epicentre of Rio’s beach scene and the perfect place for beach sports and people-watching. It;’s not great for swimming – water quality is especially poor when the tide comes in.

Best for ages: Any | Free

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Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

Brightly painted cobbled stairs in street
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Selaron Steps

Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[4.6 miles]

An Instagram favourite, these colourful mosaic steps were created by Chilean immigrant Jorge Selaron. Visit the bottom end in Lapa (off Rua Joaquim Silva) – the upper reaches in Santa Teresa lie close to a favela and are unsafe.

Best for ages: 4+ | Free

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Pyramidal high-rise tower
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Metropolitan Cathedral

Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[5.1 miles]

Even if you’re not religious, this landmark cathedral is worth a stop to admire the building alone. A towering brutalist cone, its dark, cavernous interior is lit with long strips of iridescent modernist stained glass.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Fiscal Island
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Fiscal Island

Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[5.4 miles]

This neo-Gothic Verdigris-covered fantasy palace, built during the days of the Empire of Brazil, is Rio’s former customs house. It’s now a small naval museum that you can visit. Tours depart from the nearby Navy Cultural Centre.

Best for ages: 18+ | £15

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Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum

Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[5.5 miles]

Brazilian star-modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer’s most famous Rio building sits sentinel over Guanabara Bay like a giant concrete flying saucer. Inside, the ‘MAC’ houses the main collection of Brazilian artist Joao Sattamin, plus works by other Brazilian artists like Aluisio Carvao, Dionisio Del Santo and Lygia Clark.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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