Brazil · CITY TOURS IN RIO DE JANEIRO

Top 15 City Tours in Rio de Janeiro

32 tours  ·  from $27

Good city tours in Rio de Janeiro fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Rio: Carnival Backstage Tour at Samba City with Cocktail - Seeing floats and costumes at close range
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Rio: Carnival Backstage Tour at Samba City with Cocktail

1.Carnival Backstage Tour at Samba City with Cocktail

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 520 reviews · 90 - 150 minutes · from $27Our pick

At Rio’s City of Samba, a bilingual guide takes you into Grande Rio’s Carnival workshop to see floats, costumes, and parade preparation. You can try on parade outfits, learn samba with a professional dancer, hear how the competition works, and finish with a caipirinha. Guides may speak English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, German, Hebrew, or Italian.

“our guides were helpful and very knowledgeable. the tour was great, will book again”

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Rio de Janeiro: Private Guided City Tour - Santa Teresa, the city center, and Selarón Steps
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Rio de Janeiro: Private Guided City Tour

2.Private Guided City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 207 reviews · 4 - 8 hours · from $56

Build your Rio day around beaches, landmarks, Santa Teresa, the Botanical Garden, or local neighborhoods with a private guide and vehicle. Guides such as Lavinia, Dario, Meilin, and Riccardo have helped guests adjust plans, avoid wasted time, and find less familiar places. Choose four, six, or eight hours, with hotel pickup in key central areas.

“Riccardo was awesome, he loves his city and took us to wonderful and interesting places. Highly recommended”

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Rio de Janeiro: Half-Day Christ the Redeemer and City Tour - Reaching Corcovado through Tijuca Forest
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Rio de Janeiro: Half-Day Christ the Redeemer and City Tour

3.Half-Day Christ the Redeemer and City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 101 reviews · 5 hours · from $63

This five-hour Rio tour combines Christ the Redeemer with Maracanã, the Sambadrome, Selarón Steps, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. You travel by minivan through Tijuca Forest, with hotel pickup in Rio’s South Zone and a multilingual guide in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French, or German. Guide Liz is praised for her care and help with photos.

“Nice guide and driver, and the statue is cool, but some things could be better. The pickup was about 15 minutes late with no communication, even though my hotel was the first stop. and the city tour was kind of meh, with a lot of time allocated. Lots of waiting around. Also, at least my group consisted of both English and Portuguese speaking, so the guide would say everything twice, and often when he got to the English part, we were already past whatever he was talking about.”

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Petrópolis: Imperial City Tour - Quitandinha Palace and the First Look at Imperial Petrópolis
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Petrópolis: Imperial City Tour

4.Imperial City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 95 reviews · 9 - 10 hours · from $68

Travel from Rio to Petrópolis by air-conditioned bus for a guided day among imperial palaces, German-style buildings, and mountain views. Visit the Imperial Museum, Quitandinha Palace, Crystal Palace, Santos Dumont’s home, and the imperial mausoleum. Add a brewery tour with tastings. English, Spanish, and Portuguese guides are available.

“This was a really excellent day out. It was so well organised with great communication on meeting times and schedule. Plus it never felt rushed. Chi Chi was such a entertaining fun guide. Her enthusiasm and 'ooh la la' attitude was infectious and she gave some interesting background and history on the places we visited from the Petropolis palace to the former casino. Petropolis palace is an elegant residence set within a lovely old town, with all the old architecture it's a nice contrast to the modern bustling Rio. We had a buffet meal and it offered great choice of items to select and great value. We were given the…”

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Rio Samba Bus: hop-on hop-off city tour in Rio de Janeiro - Sugarloaf Mountain and the Urca waterfront
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Rio Samba Bus: hop-on hop-off city tour in Rio de Janeiro

5.Rio Samba Bus: hop-on hop-off city tour in Rio de Janeiro

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 94 reviews · 2 hours · from $31

Ride Rio’s panoramic Samba Bus from Copacabana through the South Zone and city center, with 26 listed stops, live commentary in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, Wi-Fi, and Brazilian music. Hop off for Sugarloaf, Christ the Redeemer, Lapa, Ipanema, and other sights, but allow extra time because bus intervals can vary.

“Pena ter pego um dia com chuva! Nao aproveitamos!”

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Petropolis The Imperial City with Beer tour and Lunch - Casa do Alemão starts the day with food and coffee
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Petropolis The Imperial City with Beer tour and Lunch

6.Petropolis The Imperial City with Beer tour and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 83 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $59

Travel from Rio to Petrópolis for an imperial museum, cathedral, Crystal Palace, Quitandinha Palace, buffet lunch, and a guided visit to Bohemia Brewery with three tastings. Rafael has guided some departures in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, but language support is not guaranteed. Expect a long group day with up to 45 people.

“Excellent experience and the guide, Rafa , explain every single place with great details the lunch is good and Bohemia tour well”

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Learn the History of Rio with an Unforgettable City Center Walking Tour - Beginning at the Municipal Theater and Cinelândia
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Learn the History of Rio with an Unforgettable City Center Walking Tour

7.Learn the History of Rio with an Unforgettable City Center Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $49Top rated

Walk Rio’s historic center with a private guide, starting at the Municipal Theater and ending at Paço Imperial. You’ll see Cinelândia, Selarón Steps, Lapa’s Arcos, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Largo da Carioca, and Confeitaria Colombo. Guides including Rafael and Danielle have led this route, which can be adjusted to your interests.

“Amazing, friendly and very informative walk around the historical center of Rio! 5 / 5 stars! Thank you!”

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City Tour Full Day in Rio: Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf - Christ the Redeemer: the day’s essential stop
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City Tour Full Day in Rio: Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf

8.City Tour Full Day in Rio: Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 81 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $126

Spend about nine hours seeing Rio’s major sights with an accredited guide and shared transport. Your day includes Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, lunch at a Brazilian buffet, Selarón Steps, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Sambadrome, and an outside view of Maracanã. Pickup runs from Rio’s South Zone to downtown, not Barra or Recreio.

“It is a shame that I have to give them one star at all. Be warned this is advertised as a city tour with several stops. Once in the bus you will notice 19 seats for customers. 7 of them you can’t see out the window. The last two rows are above the windows and the other seats. You have to try and bend over and really contort your body to see out of the bus. You have no control over what seats you pick because it is based on when they pick people up. If you are closer to the excursion, you will be picked up last and have…”

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Rio's city walking tour: a glimpse of history and olympic legacy - Praça XV and the Imperial Palace
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Rio’s city walking tour: a glimpse of history and olympic legacy

9.Rio’s city walking tour: a glimpse of history and olympic legacy

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 78 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $60

Spend about four hours exploring downtown Rio with a local guide, visiting Candelária Church, São Bento Monastery, Mauá Square, Paço Imperial, Confeitaria Colombo, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Hotel pickup is included from most hotels in São Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana. Guides such as JB, Melanie, and André tailor the pace when group size allows.

“JB was a great tour guide- very energetic and well- informed. He gave us a good introduction to Rio downtown and we enjoyed walking around that area. Worth- taking”

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Rio: Christ Redeemer by Train & City Highlights Morning Tour - The five-hour route, stop by stop
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Rio: Christ Redeemer by Train & City Highlights Morning Tour

10.Christ Redeemer by Train & City Highlights Morning Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 74 reviews · 5 hours · from $92

You’ll ride the Corcovado Train through tropical forest to Christ the Redeemer, then visit Rio’s Metropolitan Cathedral and Selarón Steps while viewing Maracanã and the Sambódromo from outside. Pickup covers South Zone hotels. Guides speak English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, and Italian, with João and Alberto praised for clear, caring commentary.

“de tour was erg leuk!! we hebben heel veel gezien van de stad.”

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Private Bilingual Transfer - City of Rio de Janeiro - The airport to South Zone drive
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Private Bilingual Transfer – City of Rio de Janeiro

11.Private Bilingual Transfer – City of Rio de Janeiro

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.)

Book a private, air-conditioned transfer for up to three people between Rio airports, hotels, ports, and city locations. Your bilingual driver waits with your name, tracks flight changes, and may share local tips along the way. Drivers such as Vitor, Cezar, Thiago, and Antonio have earned praise for punctual service, clear communication, and comfortable cars.

“Cezar was great!! He was on-time, friendly, and got us there safe. I would totally use this service again!!!”

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Rio de Janeiro City Tour - Selarón Steps turn a public staircase into art
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Rio de Janeiro City Tour

12.Rio de Janeiro City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 67 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $125

You’ll see Rio’s essential sights in about five hours, traveling in a van for up to 19 people. The route includes Christ the Redeemer, Mirante Dona Marta, Santa Teresa, Selarón Steps, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Metropolitan Cathedral area. Guides may speak several languages, and hotel pickup is available from Rio’s Central and South zones.

“This was a wonderful fantastic tour— punctual pick up— courteous tour operator— very informative- the best Thanks Viator”

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Rio de Janeiro Tour - Discover Christ the Redeemer and the Marvelous City - Christ the Redeemer: give this hour your full attention
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Rio de Janeiro Tour – Discover Christ the Redeemer and the Marvelous City

13.Rio de Janeiro Tour – Discover Christ the Redeemer and the Marvelous City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $90

This five-hour Rio tour begins at 8:00 am and combines Christ the Redeemer with Selarón Steps, the Sambadrome, Rio Cathedral, Tijuca Forest, Maracanã, and a drive past the city’s beaches. Groups are limited to 19 people. Guides such as Márcio have led the route in Portuguese and Spanish, though English arrangements should be confirmed before booking.

“Very nice everything and excellent predisposition by guide Marcio. He was able to transmit all his extensive knowledge to the group, being able to express himself using his native language as well as Spanish. A genius guide Marcio👏🏻. The tour was very beautiful and the Christ impressive.Auto-translated”

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Petropolis: The Imperial City with Lunch - São Pedro de Alcântara Cathedral and the imperial connection
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Petropolis: The Imperial City with Lunch

14.The Imperial City with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $56

Spend about 10 hours traveling from Rio to Petropolis, Brazil’s former imperial retreat. You’ll visit the Imperial Museum, see Quitandinha Palace and Crystal Palace, enter São Pedro de Alcântara Cathedral, and eat at a Brazilian buffet. Accredited guides such as Julio lead the day, though long pickups, language issues, and extra drink costs are worth noting.

“nice trip to petropolis, good guide. Have Seen a lot. it was a long day. I doesn't like the long pickup of the guest.”

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Full Tour in Rio: Christ, Sugarloaf Mountain, City Tour and Lunch - The Metropolitan Cathedral’s bold concrete design
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Full Tour in Rio: Christ, Sugarloaf Mountain, City Tour and Lunch

15.Full Tour in Rio: Christ, Sugarloaf Mountain, City Tour and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $164

Spend about eight hours seeing Rio’s biggest sights with an accredited polyglot guide, including Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Maracanã, the Sambadrome, the cathedral, and Selarón Steps. Carolina is one named guide associated with the tour. Admission, air-conditioned transport, and an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet are included.

“It was an awesome experience with Carolina! Timing at each site was just nice. She was knowledgeable and friendly. Well recommended!”

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New in City Tours in Rio de Janeiro

★ 5.0Rio de Janeiro City Tour for One DayFrom $17634 reviews
★ 5.0Historic Petrópolis From Rio: The Imperial City –Palaces, Architecture & CultureFrom $29632 reviews
★ 5.0Excursion: Cristo Redentor, Tijuca National Forest and City Tour in 7 hoursFrom $10735 reviews
★ 3.3Skyline Night Tour Rio de Janeiro – Panoramic City Tour Rio Samba BusFrom $3014 reviews
★ 4.9Skip-The-Line Private Sugarloaf & City Tour10 reviews
★ 5.0City tour, food, night attractions and more!From $1503 reviews
★ 5.0City Sightseeing Full Day TourFrom $1274 reviews
★ 5.0Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, & City-tour4 reviews
★ 4.4One Day in Rio: Full-Day Rio de Janeiro City TourFrom $14628 reviews
★ 4.0Full-Day Tour to The Imperial City of PetrópolisFrom $966 reviews
★ 4.8Full-Day City Sightseeing Tour in Rio de JaneiroFrom $12012 reviews

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