My hometown Rio de Janeiro is a dazzling and electrifying place, there’s no questioning that. But all around it, you have towering mountains, pristine beaches, and quaint villages worth discovering. I’ll introduce you to the finest of these destinations on this list of fun day trips from Rio de Janeiro.
We’ll cross Guanabara Bay, climb the Órgãos mountain range, and take a refreshing dip in a remote waterfall all within a few hour’s drive from the city.
Table of Contents
The coolest day trips from Rio de Janeiro
1. Grumari and Guaratiba
Grumari and Guaratiba are, in reality, neighborhoods within Rio de Janeiro. Yet since they’re an astonishing 34 miles from downtown, you’ll need a full-day trip to experience what they have to offer.
First off, you have the beaches, which are wild and pristine. Grumari has some basic infrastructure. On its eastern end, naturist travelers can lounge at Abricó, the only nude beach in the city.
In adjacent Guaratiba, you can go standup paddleboarding in the mangrove or hike till you reach Perigoso, the first of a string of four wild beaches.
This is also the place to be if you want to indulge in a delectable seafood banquet at eateries like Bira de Guaratiba. Finally, don’t miss out on Sítio Burle Marx, a property where celebrated landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx created his own piece of tropical paradise.
2. Niterói
Though thirteen times smaller than Rio, the city on the other side of Guanabara Bay is still one of the largest within the state.
Niterói is famed for its mouthwatering seafood and for one of the finest sunsets within Rio’s metropolitan area, which you can enjoy from atop Parque da Cidade’s hang-gliding launch site.
Dubbed the “smile city” because of the remarkable hospitality of its citizens, Niterói boasts a vibrant cultural scene (embodied in Oscar Niemeryer’s Museum of Contemporary Art above) and gorgeous beaches like Itacoatiara and Camboinhas, which offer commanding views of Rio’s unique rock formations.
3. Paquetá
Like Grumari and Guaratiba, Paquetá is actually a Rio de Janeiro neighborhood. Yet the island is so far into Guanabara Bay that it looks and feels like another town.
The virtual absence of cars (just local government vehicles are allowed here) only adds to Paquetá’s adorable charm. To move around the island, you can walk amid the royal poincianas, rent a bike, or ride a cute cycle rickshaw.
On a day trip to Paquetá, you’ll see a couple of beautiful parks as well as hidden gems like a pet bird cemetery, a 400-year-old baobab, and the Chapel of Saint Roch, which was built in 1698.
4. Petrópolis
Petrópolis is the closest you’ll get to Europe while in Brazil. The so-called Imperial City was founded by then-Emperor Pedro II and grew around the neoclassical palace he commanded.
This delightful town is home to several other landmarks, such as Quitandinha, a former hotel-turned-cultural center, Petrópolis Cathedral, and tons of nice plazas and parks.
The best way to explore this hidden gem of the Rio de Janeiro countryside is through a historic walk where a local will show you around and recount compelling anecdotes of the city’s past.
Adjacent to the historic core, you’ll find numerous restaurants serving everything from Brazilian steak to sushi to traditional cuisine.
5. Itaipava
This district of Petrópolis is encircled by majestic granite peaks and is a prime ecotourism destination. That said, Itaipava is better known for its stellar dining scene, which attracts a predominantly fancy crowd.
A hundred-year-old castle is Itaipava’s main icon. And if you’re in need of a relaxing massage or both, worry no more. The town is peppered with spas and wellness centers too.
6. Teresópolis
With the summit of Dedo de Deus rising imposingly above the town, Teresópolis is the capital of Brazilian mountaineering.
Like Petrópolis, this is a microbrewery haven. Another of the town’s specialties is craft chocolate, which blends seamlessly into its relatively cold climate.
Leaving downtown, drop by the Soberbo panorama to take a good look at the mountains and pick one of the trails within Serra dos Órgãos National Park for a fun expedition into the jungle.
7. Cachoeiras de Macacu
Cachoeiras de Macacu’s very name gives it away: this is the land of the Macacu River’s waterfalls (i.e. cachoeiras). Tucked in the middle of the lush rainforests of Três Picos State Park, the town is a fantastic destination for trekking and abseiling.
Several attractions, however, are right outside the town center, specifically natural pools along the Macacu River like Poço das Bruxas and Poço do Valério.
Cachoeiras de Macacu makes for one of the best day tours from Rio de Janeiro, given it’s tiny and just 73 miles from the city.
8. Vassouras
Nestled in the heart of Paraíba Valley, Brazil’s first coffee-growing region, Vassouras is an idyllic destination located about 75 miles away from Rio.
The town is home to historic landmarks like the neoclassical parish church, dedicated in 1838, and the Casa da Hera house museum, which dates back to that golden age too.
Outside Vassouras, you’ll come across flawlessly preserved plantations like Fazenda Cachoeira Grande, where you can savor world-class coffee and maybe stay overnight to make the most of the quaint setting.
9. Ilha Grande
“Large Island”, which is what Ilha Grande means, couldn’t be any more fitting to describe it. Standing off the coast of Angra dos Reis (around 90 miles from Rio), Ilha Grande features a handful of the most stunning beaches in Brazil, such as Lopes Mendes and Feiticeira.
There’s no electricity in the more rugged settlements like Aventureiro, where I slept under the starriest sky I’ve ever gazed at. At the village of Abraão, however, you’ll be treated to all the amenities you might wish for. You can stay there and hop on a boat tour to see some of the best beaches.
10. Conservatória
I didn’t quite love Conservatória as a child, but looking back I do have lots of sweet memories from the times I’d travel there with my parents.
The town, which like Vassouras sits within Paraíba Valley, is prized for its century-old serenade tradition. On starry evenings, the singing groups parade through the cobbled streets, followed by throngs of locals and visitors.
In other news, Conservatória is dotted with superb restaurants and is allegedly a great place to sight UFOs.
11. Nova Friburgo
Nova Friburgo is famous for its temperate climate. Unsurprisingly, it was the site of the first non-Portuguese European settlement in Brazil; a group of Swiss immigrants founded it 200 years ago and named it after the city of Fribourg.
In downtown Nova Friburgo, you can load up on lingerie — the city is a major hub — and ride the chairlift to the top of Mount Cruz, where you’ll take in breathtaking views of the valley.
That said, as a premium agritourism spot, most of Nova Friburgo’s charm is to be found in its surroundings, in cozy country hotels such as Auberge Suisse.
12. Lumiar
Bordered by gentle mountains, Lumiar is a district of Nova Friburgo located approximately 20 miles from the city center.
Between the bandstand and the pond square, you’ll be welcomed by lively bars and authentic restaurants where you can recharge after exploring the area.
The bulk of Lumiar’s must-sees are outside of town and span peaceful waterfalls and rapids that call for a thrilling rafting adventure.
Despite the quick rainstorms you might encounter during your visit, summer is the best time to discover Lumiar. Alternatively, swing by in November, when an unmissable trout festival is held.
13. Sana
Sana, officially Arraial do Sana, is a 2,500-resident district of the oil-rich city of Macaé. But the contrast between the quiet mountain town and beachside Macaé couldn’t be sharper.
An ecotourism haven, Sana is filled with inns, hostels, and campgrounds — hotels are nowhere to be found, though. Plenty of travelers are mountaineering lovers aiming to gain the top of Peito do Pombo Peak, pictured above.
Others are more of a free-spirited crowd who want to venture out into the woods and perhaps stumble upon a waterfall to enjoy all to themselves. As any hippie mecca worth the name, Sana has a marvelous craft market as well.
14. Arraial do Cabo
The town of Arraial do Cabo is one of two sites in the country — the other being the northeastern State of Alagoas — that has been dubbed the “Brazilian Caribbean”.
No wonder: its crystal-clear, turquoise waters and glistening white sands draw thousands of Brazilians and savvy foreigners each year.
Weirdly, the town doesn’t have great infrastructure to welcome so many visitors. Yet comfortable coaches connect it to Rio several times a day.
If you leave the city early in the morning, you can spend a relaxing day in Arraial. When you get there, hop on a boat to visit the wild and mesmerizing Farol Island off the town’s coast.
15. Penedo
Penedo was born in 1927 as a tiny Finnish settlement in the foothills of the Mantiqueira Range, where you can reach the awe-inspiring Agulhas Negras Peak.
Today, only a few dozen Finns still live in town, but it managed to preserve the architecture and culinary tradition brought over by its founders.
Besides the suggestive ambiance, which is particularly popular with loving couples, Penedo is a perfect departure point for travelers looking to check out the sprawling Itatiaia National Park.
Countless hotels, inns, and campgrounds turn it into an ideal destination for a weekend getaway, in case you feel like enjoying Penedo for a little longer after driving 110 miles from Rio.
16. Búzios
Búzios was a remote fishing village with an emerging tourism industry until French star Brigitte Bardot fell for it. From then on, Búzios would become one of the leading seaside resorts near Rio.
Oddly, there seem to be more Argentinians than Brazilians in town. It’s easy to understand why our South American cousins adore this narrow peninsula — it probably has something to do with its jagged coastline, where a bunch of coves and natural pools will be waiting for you.
What’s more, Búzios features a top-notch nightlife scene for a town of its size. Before you hit the club, though, stroll along Rua das Pedras street, sit back at one of the lovely bistros, and browse the gift shops for keepsakes.
Wrap-up
From the historic houses of Petrópolis to the sun-kissed coast of Búzios, there’s a sea of amazing sights to explore within the State of Rio de Janeiro.
If you have more than three or four days in Rio, you should absolutely venture out into its surroundings for a day trip (or a couple).
And in case you have an extra weekend or so, don’t miss the chance to head to fascinating towns like Paraty or even the hectic and riveting Sao Paulo.
