Best of · RIO DE JANEIRO HISTORY TOURS
The 7 best rio de janeiro history tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and how much of it is on foot. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Spend six hours exploring Tijuca Forest on a 6.2-kilometer moderate hike. Visit Taunay Waterfall, Morcego’s Grotto, Mayrink Chapel, coffee-farm ruins, and Baronesa Cascade. Guides such as Vini, Riccardo, Tito, and Renata explain Rio’s nature, geology, and past in English or Portuguese.
“the experience is worth every single penny and the guide is amazing.”
See Rio’s old center, XV de Novembro Square, Cinelândia, the Carioca Aqueduct, and artistic Santa Teresa in four hours. Guides such as Dario, Monica, Thiago, and Millene add history and local tips, while Parque das Ruínas provides broad views across the city and Guanabara Bay.
“Edwardo was brilliant!! Lots of information and we had a feed laughs too”
Meet your English-speaking guide at the Rio Art Museum for a 150-minute walk through Little Africa. Learn about Brazil’s colonial past, see Mauá Square from a rooftop, visit Pedra do Sal and Valongo, and hear personal, thoughtful commentary from guides such as Luana, Nathalia, Eddie, and Larissa.
“Nathália was an amazing guide! Very friendly and knowledgeable! I highly recommend doing this tour!”
This four-hour Rio tour pairs Santa Teresa’s old mansions, street art, and historic tram with downtown landmarks such as Arcos da Lapa, Praça XV, Cinelândia, and the Theatro Municipal. Guides including Renato, Dario, Wagner, and Romeu have led highly praised outings, but the tram ride and museum entries are not included.
“Ut us Very useful to be drop off at thé hôtel Thé guide was sympathic and thé trip was cool and interesting”
Spend four hours with a live English, Spanish, or Portuguese guide exploring central Rio. Visit Valongo Wharf, Kobra’s giant mural, the Museum of Tomorrow, Saint Benedict Monastery, Praça XV, and Confeitaria Colombo, with hotel transport from the South Zone.
“Emanuella jest wspaniałym przwodnikiem.Dużo nam opowiedziała o historii Brazylli omawiała wspaniałe budowle Świetnie spędziliśmy czas na wycieczce.”
Meet your English-, Portuguese-, or Spanish-speaking guide at Theatro Municipal and walk through Rio’s historic center and Lapa. You’ll enter the old cathedral, Imperial Palace, and National Library, while learning how royal, political, and everyday life shaped the city.
“O MEU TOUR FOI EXCLUSIVO, APENAS O GUIA E EU. O GUIA FOI MUITO ATENCIOSO E TEVE TOTAL DISPONIBILIDADE DE MOSTRAR E PRESTAR INFORMAÇÕES SOBRE OS LOCAIS, RESPONDER MINHAS PERGUNTAS E FAZER AS ALTERAÇÕES DE ROTEIRO QUE SOLICITEI.”
Take the subway from Copacabana to central Rio for a four-hour guided walk through Cinelândia, Praça XV, Travessa do Comercio, and Candelaria. You’ll see ornate churches, former palaces, cultural centers, and Confeitaria Colombo, with guides such as Lucien, Monique, Ernani, or Mathilda depending on the departure.
“The tour was great! Our tour guide answered plenty of our questions, gave us a lot of information about history, politics, economy of the country. We fully enjoyed this tour!”
Pick an era, or a kind of day.
