Best places to stay:
With its cool-as-a-breeze rooftop pool and bar (with views both of the Christ and the whole sweep of Ipanema Beach), expanses of glass, billowing Philippe Starck drapes and swinging 1960s London-meets-Tropicalia lounge bar, Fasano is the hippest hotel on Rio’s hippest beach – Ipanema.
Its shorefront location is unbeatable, its restaurant is a destination in itself, and its guest list twinkles with the rich and famous. Long, thin rooms in dark woods, creams and light yellows have designer flourishes (organic Dali mirrors, Eames chairs) but book one at the front of the hotel – it’s the ocean-from-the-bed views that have the real wow factor.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[2.7 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
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[3.6 miles]
Rio’s lush urban rainforest climbs over the mountains that surround the Christ statue and Atlantic beaches, affording some of the world’s most beautiful urban views. Excellent for hiking, biking and wildlife-spotting.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[4 miles]
Oscar Niemeyer’s home city and Brazil’s former capital preserves some wonderful colonial and modernist buildings hidden in acres of undistinguished concrete apartment blocks.
Best for ages: Any | Free
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[4 miles]
Life’s a beach – and that’s never truer than in Rio – but not all beaches are equal…
Best for ages: Any | Free
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[1 miles]
Pelé da Praia has been teaching locals and tourists Brazilian football tricks on Ipanema beach for more than a decade. One-to-one tuition and group classes available. Contact him at peledapraia1@hotmail.com.
Best for ages: 8+ | £15 | 1-2 hours
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[1.7 miles]
Rio’s prettiest, chicest ocean beach, is watched over by the impressive Dois Irmaos mountain that sits behind. The water is cleaner, and the crowd more exclusive the further south you go, where Ipanema Beach merges into the more upscale Leblon Beach.
Best for ages: Any | Free
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[3.6 miles]
Once the Emperor’s private retreat, these gardens brim with rare plants and are a haven for birds and butterflies
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[8.2 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
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
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…
