Walking tourHistoryCulture

Downtown Rio Historic Walking Tour

Colonial squares, a royal library and the port's rebuilt waterfront

Duration: 3 hours
Group size: Max 12 travellers
Languages: English, Italian, Portuguese
from: R$190

Overview

Most visitors stay south of the tunnels and miss the part of Rio that was the capital of an empire. This walk covers Praça XV and the royal landing stage, a baroque church interior worth the detour, the Portuguese Royal Reading Room, and then the reborn port district — Olympic Boulevard, the giant mural, Praça Mauá and the Museum of Tomorrow from outside. Your guide explains what was demolished, what was buried and what came back.

Highlights

Colonial Praça XV and the royal landing stage
Portuguese Royal Reading Room
Olympic Boulevard and the giant mural
Praça Mauá and the reborn port district

What you'll see

Praça XVImperial PalaceBaroque church interiorPortuguese Royal Reading RoomOlympic BoulevardPraça Mauá

Itinerary

1
Meet your guide at Carioca metro station.
2
Colonial centre: Praça XV, the Imperial Palace and a baroque church.
3
Portuguese Royal Reading Room and old commercial streets.
4
Walk to Olympic Boulevard and finish at Praça Mauá.

What's included

Licensed local guide
Church and reading room entries
Bottled water

What's not included

Museum of Tomorrow ticket
Hotel pickup
Food and drinks
Gratuities

Important information

Runs on weekdays, when the centre is open and lively.
About 4 km of flat walking; comfortable shoes recommended.
The reading room has restricted opening hours and may be replaced by an equivalent site.