BestsellerRio de Janeiro8 hours
Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf Mountain Full-Day Tour
Corcovado by cog train, Sugarloaf by cable car, and the viewpoints in between.
PanoramicCultureFamily friendly
4.9(486)
from R$590 per person
Day tripCultureHistory
Petrópolis Imperial City Day Trip
The emperor's mountain retreat, an hour above the heat
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Group size
- Max 14 travellers
- Languages
- English, Italian, Portuguese
- from
- R$450
Overview
When Rio got too hot, the imperial family moved up to Petrópolis, and the town still looks like their summer plan: a palace, a Gothic cathedral holding their tombs, a crystal palace shipped from France, and the deliberately odd house Santos Dumont built with no kitchen and a staircase you climb one foot at a time. The drive up the escarpment is spectacular and the temperature drops noticeably.
Highlights
- Imperial Museum with the crown jewels
- Gothic cathedral and imperial tombs
- Santos Dumont's house museum
- Crystal Palace and historic centre walk
What you'll see
Imperial MuseumSão Pedro de Alcântara CathedralCrystal PalaceSantos Dumont HouseRio Negro PalaceHistoric centre
Itinerary
- 1
Morning pickup and drive up the Serra dos Órgãos escarpment.
- 2
Guided visit of the Imperial Museum.
- 3
Cathedral, Crystal Palace and free time for lunch.
- 4
Santos Dumont House, then return to Rio.
What's included
- All entrance tickets
- Bilingual guide
- Round-trip transport
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What's not included
- Lunch
- Drinks
- Gratuities
Important information
- Petrópolis is 10–12 °C cooler than Rio; bring a light jacket.
- The Imperial Museum requires cloth overshoes, provided at the door.
- Some museums close on Mondays; we adjust the itinerary accordingly.
Meeting point & pickup
Hotel pickup included in Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Flamengo and Botafogo.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the drive difficult?
It is a well-maintained mountain highway, about 90 minutes each way.
Can we visit a brewery too?
Yes, on request we add a craft brewery stop in the afternoon.
Is it good in winter?
Yes, but it can be genuinely cold — bring warm layers from June to August.
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