Brazil · South America

Discover Rio de Janeiro with Rafeek

Rio de Janeiro, also known simply as Rio, is the capital and largest city of the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Seeing Rio de Janeiro without the story is only half the trip

The problem

Group tours run on someone else's clock, printed signs say too little, and searching for context on your phone pulls you out of the moment. Most travellers leave Rio de Janeiro with photos but no sense of what they actually saw.

How Rafeek fixes it

Rafeek is a personal audio guide in your pocket. Press play at each landmark in Rio de Janeiro, listen at your own pace, and keep your eyes on the place instead of a screen. Guides work offline, so no roaming or signal worries.

What you'll discover in Rio de Janeiro

40 landmarks with their own audio guide — tap any one to read what you'll hear.

AquaRio

The largest aquarium in South America, located in the revitalized port district of Rio. It features thousands of marine animals from various ecosystems and offers immersive experiences, including a large underwater tunnel.

Barra da Tijuca Beach

Rio's longest beach, stretching for nearly 18 kilometers along a modern, affluent neighborhood. Its strong waves make it a prime spot for surfing, kitesurfing, and other water sports.

Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro

Founded in 1808, this extensive garden showcases the diversity of Brazilian and foreign flora. It is particularly famous for its 134-meter-long Avenue of Royal Palms and contains over 6,500 species of plants.

Cagarras Islands

An uninhabited archipelago located about 5 kilometers off Ipanema Beach. It is a designated natural monument and a popular destination for boat tours, scuba diving, and bird watching.

Candelaria Church

A monumental Roman Catholic church that was one of the most important religious buildings in imperial Brazil. Its construction spanned over a century, resulting in a facade that blends Portuguese Baroque with later Neoclassical elements.

Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB)

One of Brazil's most important cultural centers, housed in a beautifully restored neoclassical building in the city center. It hosts a dynamic program of exhibitions, plays, concerts, and film screenings.

Christ the Redeemer

An Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ, located atop the 700-meter Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park. It is a symbol of Christianity across the world and a global icon of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil, recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Copacabana Beach

One of the most famous beaches in the world, stretching for 4 kilometers along the Atlantic shore. It is known for its iconic wave-patterned promenade designed by Roberto Burle Marx and its vibrant atmosphere filled with hotels, restaurants, and bars.

Copacabana Fort

A military fortress built in the early 20th century at the southern end of Copacabana beach. It now houses the Army Historical Museum and offers panoramic views of Copacabana and the entrance to Guanabara Bay.

Fiscal Island

A small island in Guanabara Bay famous for its fairytale-like neo-Gothic palace. The palace hosted the last grand ball of the Brazilian Empire in November 1889, just days before the monarchy was overthrown.

Grumari Beach

Another protected beach located in a municipal nature park, known for its pristine white sand and clear waters. It offers a wilder, more natural beach experience away from the urban crowds.

Imperial Palace

A historic colonial building located in Praca XV, which served as the headquarters for both the Portuguese colonial government and the Brazilian Empire. Today, it functions as a vibrant cultural center, hosting art exhibitions and events.

Ipanema Beach

A world-renowned beach made famous by the bossa nova song 'The Girl from Ipanema.' It is a hub of social life in Rio, divided into different sections (postos) that cater to various crowds, from families to artists and sports enthusiasts.

Ipanema Hippie Fair

An open-air market held every Sunday in the General Osorio square in Ipanema. Since 1968, it has been a popular spot for tourists and locals to buy handicrafts, art, leather goods, jewelry, and local food.

Lapa Arches

An impressive Roman-style aqueduct built in the mid-18th century to bring fresh water to the city. Today, the Arcos da Lapa serves as a viaduct for the Santa Teresa Tram and is the vibrant centerpiece of Rio's nightlife scene.

Leblon Beach

Situated just west of Ipanema and separated by the Jardim de Ala canal, Leblon is a more tranquil and upscale beach. It is popular with families and offers a beautiful view of the Morro Dois Irmaos (Two Brothers Hill).

Maracana Stadium

Officially named Estadio Jornalista Mario Filho, this is one of the most famous football stadiums in the world. It hosted the final matches for the 1950 and 2014 FIFA World Cups and is a temple for Brazilian football fans.

Mirante Dona Marta

A viewpoint located 360 meters up on the Dona Marta hill, offering one of the most spectacular views in Rio. It provides a complete panorama of the city, including Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, Maracana Stadium, and Guanabara Bay.

Museum of Modern Art (MAM Rio)

Housed in a landmark modernist building designed by Affonso Eduardo Reidy, this museum is located within Flamengo Park. It holds one of the most important collections of modern and contemporary art in Latin America.

Museum of Tomorrow

A futuristic science museum located at Pier Maua, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Its exhibitions explore the opportunities and challenges humanity will face in the coming decades, focusing on sustainability and coexistence.

National Historical Museum

Located near Praca XV in downtown Rio, this museum is housed in a complex of historic buildings, including the Calaboose Fort. Its extensive collection includes artifacts, documents, and artworks that narrate the history of Brazil.

National Library of Brazil

The largest library in Latin America and the seventh largest in the world, housing a collection of over nine million items. It was originally founded with the collection of the Royal Library of Portugal and is a magnificent example of neoclassical architecture.

National Museum of Fine Arts

Located in the historic center of Rio, this museum holds the most important collection of Brazilian art. Its collection includes over 70,000 items, ranging from paintings and sculptures to drawings and folk art from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era.

Paqueta Island

A charming, car-free island in Guanabara Bay, accessible by ferry from downtown Rio. It is known for its tranquil atmosphere, colonial-style houses, and unique baobab trees, offering a peaceful escape from the bustling city.

Parque das Ruinas

Located in the Santa Teresa neighborhood, this public park is centered around the ruins of a socialite's mansion. It has been transformed into a cultural space with an art gallery and offers spectacular panoramic views of the city.

Parque Lage

A beautiful public park located at the foot of Corcovado Mountain, featuring lush subtropical forest and winding paths. At its center is a stunning 1920s mansion that now houses the School of Visual Arts and a popular cafe with views of Christ the Redeemer.

Pedra da Gavea

A giant monolithic mountain in the Tijuca Forest, standing at 844 meters, making it one of the highest mountains in the world that ends directly in the ocean. It is a challenging hike that rewards climbers with breathtaking views of the city.

Pedra do Telegrafo

A rock formation on the coast west of Rio that has become a famous photo spot. A clever camera angle creates a popular optical illusion of a person hanging precariously over a sheer drop, while in reality, the ground is just a few feet below.

Prainha Beach

A small, crescent-shaped beach located in a protected environmental area west of the main city. Surrounded by lush green hills, it is a paradise for surfers and nature lovers seeking a more secluded spot.

Quinta da Boa Vista

A large public park that was once the gardens of the Sao Cristovao Palace, the residence of the Emperors of Brazil. The park now contains the Rio de Janeiro Zoo and the National Museum of Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro Cathedral

A modern cathedral dedicated to Saint Sebastian, the city's patron saint. Completed in 1979, its unique conical shape was inspired by Mayan pyramids, and its interior features four magnificent 64-meter-high stained-glass windows.

Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading

A stunning library and cultural institution founded in 1837 by Portuguese immigrants. Its magnificent reading room, built in the Neo-Manueline style, holds the largest collection of Portuguese literature outside of Portugal.

Sambadrome Marques de Sapucai

The purpose-built parade avenue designed by Oscar Niemeyer for the Rio Carnival. This iconic structure hosts the spectacular competition between Rio's top samba schools during the annual festivities.

Santa Teresa Neighborhood

A charming, bohemian district perched on a hillside overlooking the city. It is known for its narrow, winding cobblestone streets, historic mansions, art studios, and the iconic yellow Santa Teresa Tram.

Sao Bento Monastery

A Benedictine abbey founded in 1590, renowned for its stunning interior, which is a masterpiece of Brazilian Baroque art. The walls, pillars, and ceiling are almost entirely covered in intricate, gilded wood carvings.

Selaron Steps

A world-famous set of steps created by Chilean-born artist Jorge Selaron as a 'tribute to the Brazilian people.' The 215 steps are covered in over 2000 brightly colored tiles collected from over 60 countries around the world.

Sugarloaf Mountain

A peak situated at the mouth of Guanabara Bay, rising 396 meters above the harbor. Its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar, and it is famous for its cable car ride and panoramic city views.

Theatro Municipal

Rio de Janeiro's main opera house, an architecturally significant building from the early 20th century. Inspired by the Paris Opera, its interior is lavishly decorated with sculptures, paintings, and a magnificent central chandelier.

Tijuca National Park

A vast, mountainous hand-planted rainforest within the city limits, making it the world's largest urban forest. The park is home to hundreds of species of plants and wildlife, as well as famous landmarks like Corcovado Mountain and Pedra da Gavea.

Valongo Wharf Archaeological Site

A UNESCO World Heritage site in the port area of Rio, this was the main point of arrival for enslaved Africans in the Americas. The excavated stone wharf serves as a powerful and sensitive memorial to this tragic chapter of human history.

How Rafeek works in Rio de Janeiro

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Browse the landmarks nearby and choose the ones you want.

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About Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro, also known simply as Rio, is the capital and largest city of the state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the second-largest city in Brazil after São Paulo, and the largest by international tourists. It has a population of 6 million in the city proper, and 13 million people in its metropolitan area as of 2025. It is also the sixth-most-populous city in the Americas.