Historical Rio Walking Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 19 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Historical Rio Walking Tour worth booking?
Historical Rio Walking Tour is a 4-hour experience in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from $75 per person. It scores 71 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 19 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 71 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (19)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $75 per person
If you want to have a different and cultural morning, come with us and take the subway to enjoy a guided walking tour in downtown Rio. Many cariocas still refer to downtown as “the City”, as if it were a city apart, so busy, profuse and attractive. Rich in history and buildings of great architectural appeal, the center of the former capital of the country is best absorbed in the details when you walk through it. You can also extend your tour and take the afternoon part of this walking tour. Please check our complete walking tour called "Rio Walking Tour - City Center plus Olympic Boulevard and Museum of Tomorrow"
What you get
About this experience
If you want to have a different and cultural morning, come with us and take the subway to enjoy a guided walking tour in downtown Rio. Many cariocas still refer to downtown as “the City”, as if it were a city apart, so busy, profuse and attractive. Rich in history and buildings of great architectural appeal, the center of the former capital of the country is best absorbed in the details when you walk through it. You can also extend your tour and take the afternoon part of this walking tour. Please check our complete walking tour called "Rio Walking Tour - City Center plus Olympic Boulevard and Museum of Tomorrow"
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What you'll see and do
Copacabana Beach
You will meet our tour guide at the entrance of the Belmond Copacabana Palace Hotel and you will be taken by subway to downtown, stopping at Cinelândia Station
15 minutes here
Cinelandia
The metro station from the 1900's is a relic of the French Architectural influence in Brazil.
Pass by without stopping
Museu Nacional De Belas Artes
A French Renaissance-style building with a collection of paintings by Brazil's finest contemporary artists as well as an impressive array of folk and African art.
Pass by without stopping
Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro
The Municipal Theather, and the city Opera's House, from 1909, is filled with gilded mirrors, statues, murals, stained-glass windows and sparkling chandeliers.
Pass by without stopping
Biblioteca Nacional
The National Library is the depository of the bibliographical and documentary heritage of Brazil, considered by UNESCO as the seventh largest national library in the world, and is also the largest library in Latin America Read more about Best of Rio Walking Tour - City Center, Olympic Boulevard and Museum of Tomorrow 2018 - Rio de Janeiro - https://www.viator.com/tours/Rio-de-Janeiro/Best-of-Rio-Walking-Tour-City-Center-Olympic-Boulevard-and-Museum-of-Tomorrow/d712-21513P22?mcid=56757
Pass by without stopping
Palacio Pedro Ernesto - Camara Municipal do Rio de Janeiro
The Pedro Ernesto Palace, the building that now houses the City Council of the municipality, is part of one of the most valuable architectural ensembles of the city. In the main facade facing the square, perfectly symmetrical and rich in details, the access staircase, the upper gallery with its double columns and the two "tempiettos" that adorn the corners of the building deserve special attention.
Pass by without stopping
Centro Cultural Justica Federal
The Cultural Center of the Federal Justice is a known space for incentivizing and ensuring access of the population to many ways of cultural expression, hosting expositions, dance and music shows, courses, seminars, lectures and others.
Pass by without stopping
Tiradentes Palace
This marvelous palace in the center of the city draws attention to those who pass by and get delighted with its Corinthian columns and its eclectic style. The Tiradentes Palace was the former building of the Brazilian National Congress, between 1926 and 1960, and is the current seat of the State Legislative Assembly.
Pass by without stopping
Praca Quinze de Novembro
The square is located between Estação das Barcas, from where boats leave for Niterói, Rua 1º de Março, Arco do Teles and Paço Imperial, colonial building built in the 18th century to be the residence of the governors of the Captaincy of Rio de Janeiro and which later also became inhabited by the King of Portugal Dom João VI and by emperors of Brazil. Today, the Paço is a cultural center. One of the symbols of the square is the fountain of Mestre Valentim, inaugurated in 1789, which is deactivated. In the square, also is located the Church of Our Lady of Monte do Carmo. In 1888, the square was the scene of celebrations by the Golden Law, signed by Princess Isabel, who extinguished slavery in the country.
Pass by without stopping
Paco Imperial
Built in 1743, it was used as the House of the Viceroys of Brazil. With the entrance of the Court of D. João VI to Rio de Janeiro, the Palace became the seat of the governments of the Kingdom and the Empire. After the Proclamation of the Republic, the Post and Telegraph were located. In 1938, it was listed by National Historical and Artistic Heritage and today is one of the milestones of the city's cultural history. Since 1985, Paço Imperial has been a cultural center linked to the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute of the Ministry of Culture, and it has a free entrance all year round.
Pass by without stopping
Correios Cultural Centre
The architectural lines of the façade is ecletic style, feature the beginning of the century, built to headquarter a Brazilian Lloyd school. But it didn’t happen and the building was used, for more than 50 years, to make the administrative and operational post areas could work. In 80s, the immobile was disabled to reform it, being reopened in July 2nd, in 1992, partly renovated, to receive the “Exposição Ecológica 92”, integral event of the United Nations Conference on Environment Calendar. – RIO 92 The official inauguration of Centro Cultural Correios happened in August of the next year with the World official exposition Filatelia – Brasiliana, 93. Since then, the Centro Cultural Correios is marking the presence of the Institute in the city promoting events in many areas on many vacancies, like theater, video, music, arts with promotions and events in many areas focusing on the integration of carioca’s people with a varied ways of artistic expression.
Pass by without stopping
Travessa do Comercio
One of the most interesting tours that can be done in the Center of Rio is to cross the alleys and alleys that form the Travessa do Comércio, near Praça XV. Travessa, closed to car traffic, is one of the few places in the city that, in a way, preserves the traits of colonial times.
Pass by without stopping
Casa Franca-Brasil
Commissioned in 1819 by King João VI to Grandjean de Montigny, architect of the French Artistic Mission, the work itself is an important historical document. This is the first record of the neoclassical style in Rio de Janeiro, a tendency that would then become popular, giving the city marked by its colonial houses a more cosmopolitan tone, European fashion.
Pass by without stopping
Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil - CCBB Rio de Janeiro
The CCBB is a cultural center that consists of exhibition rooms, three theaters, a library, cinema, and a video room. It is housed in an art deco style building located in what used to be the financial district of Rio de Janeiro.
Pass by without stopping
Church of Our Lady of the Candelaria
The Church of Our Lady of Candelaria is a Catholic temple located in the Center of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is one of the main religious monuments of the city, the traditional stage of weddings of the Carioca society.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Rio de Janeiro
Departure at 9:00am
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Departure at 9:00am
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- pt, en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Carioca Tropical Tour Operator
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Operated by a multilingual guide
- Not recommended for people with walking difficulties
- It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 19 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
19 verified traveler reviews for Historical Rio Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Get Senora Lu if you can
Our guide was senora Lu. She was both knowledgeable and fun. I brought along a friend so it was just the 3 of us. It was worth the extra money to take it privately. We were able to ask all sorts of questions about history, but also questions how it related to lives today. This tour was exactly what I was hoping it would be…..and we had fun while doing it
via Viator
It was awesome
Awesome maylene was amazing………………………. That is all. She really knew the town and made Rio come alive for us. All of the culture we could see in action.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent and experienced tour guide! Explored the most essential parts of Rio in 1 day!
Monica was an amazing tour guide! Really knowledgeable and experienced. We initially wanted to engage in a 2-day tour but changed it to just 1 day and she still managed to squeeze in all the important sights into a 1 day itinerary! She brought us to the best photo spots on Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf mountain, was an amazing photographer for us, and also gave us great explanations to the iconic buildings of Rio de Janeiro city.
via Tripadvisor
Well worth it
Our guide Meilin made the difference on this tour. She is knowledgeable and passionate about her city. An excellent way to learn about Rio and see lots in one tour.
via Tripadvisor
A great tour!
Matilde was very knowledgeable and answered all my questions. She was also considerate in having me take a coffee and pastry break. Was very impressed by the beauty of Rio after this tour. Thanks Matilde!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $75 to $88
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Carioca Tropical Tour Operator, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 72.5 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Carioca Tropical Tour Operator runsWhy this scores 71
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Historical Rio Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rio de Janeiro.
How much does Historical Rio Walking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $75 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Rio de Janeiro usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Historical Rio Walking Tour take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Rio de Janeiro is not rushed.
Is Historical Rio Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 71 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 19 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Rio de Janeiro, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Historical Rio Walking Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Historical Rio Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Historical Rio Walking Tour?
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Around 7 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Rio de Janeiro can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Rio de Janeiro and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Historical Rio Walking Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Rio de Janeiro within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro?
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On Outty we rank every Rio de Janeiro experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Pedra da Gávea hike, your best experience in Rio, Favela Tour Rio de Janeiro - Vidigal Walking Tour by Russo Guide, Rio's Full Day: Selarón Steps, Christ & Sugarloaf – Tickets & Lunch Included. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Rio de Janeiro?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Historical Rio Walking Tour?
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Included: Professional guide. Not included: Food and drinks; Gratuities; and Hotel pickup and drop-off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Historical Rio Walking Tour?
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Departure at 9:00am Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Historical Rio Walking Tour offered in?
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It is offered in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Historical Rio Walking Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Historical Rio Walking Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Historical Rio Walking Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Rio de Janeiro. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Historical Rio Walking Tour?
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Across 19 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, value for money. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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