Rio de Janeiro is known as the Marvelous City —and for good reason! After all, with so many sights and attractions, it’s impossible not to fall for the charms of “errejota.” But beyond all these options, some experiences simply have to be lived. Here are our top suggestions!
Note: As part of Secret Media Network’s 2026 Global List of Best Microexperiences, our local editors have selected experiences in Rio de Janeiro, along with standout experiences from cities across our global network.
To read the full list of Secret Media Network’s global experiences, click here (article in English).
Enjoy a Baile Charme at the Madureira Viaduct
Known as “Dutão” to those in the know, the Madureira Viaduct in the North Zone is the home of the world’s largest “baile charme.”
The event, which began back in the 1990s, is one of the most fun in the city and attracts many locals and tourists. Anyone who’s been there knows: it’s impossible to stand still!
Watch the sunset at Pedra do Arpoador
Is it a cliché? Yes! But watching the sunset at Pedra do Arpoador on an autumn afternoon (or any day) is an experience that must be lived!
That’s because when the sun sets behind Morro Dois Irmãos, a true spectacle of lights and colors unfolds in the sky. That’s why it has become a tradition to clap at the end of this show!
Go to a feijoada at a samba school’s quadra
Regardless of which samba school is closest to your heart, or even if you’re not that into Carnival, it’s definitely worth enjoying a day of feijoada at one of Rio’s samba courts.
The atmosphere is always lively, with plenty of samba and great food! The best part is that feijoada parties in the courtyards usually happen monthly all year round—meaning you don’t even have to wait for Carnival to arrive!
Take the Santa Teresa cable car and stroll through the neighborhood’s streets
The Santa Teresa neighborhood is one of the most charming in Rio de Janeiro. That’s why strolling through the neighborhood’s streets, exploring its art studios, bars, and museums, is such a delight.
But for the tour to be truly an unmissable experience, the must-do is to ride the cable car up the neighborhood—a historic icon of Rio de Janeiro that has been in operation since 1896!
