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Half-Day Architecture Walking Tour in Rio: Explore UNESCO's First World Capital of Architecture
5.0
8 Ratings
Centro
Discover the architectural wonders of Rio de Janeiro on a half-day walking tour. Explore the city’s colonial, art-deco, and modernist buildings, and learn why it was named UNESCO’s first World Capital of Architecture.
Discover the architectural wonders of Rio de Janeiro on a half-day walking tour. Explore the city’s colonial, art-deco, and modernist buildings, and learn why it was named UNESCO’s first World Capital of Architecture.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Largo da Carioca - It is considered the heart of Downtown Rio. The occupation of the city started on this place. From here, you may see the Church and the Convent of Saint Anthony.
- Convent of St. Anthony (Convento do Santo Antonio) - Built in 1608 by the Order of Saint Frances, the Convent of Saint Anthony is one of the first and most…
- Largo da Carioca - It is considered the heart of Downtown Rio. The occupation of the city started on this place. From here, you may see the Church and the Convent of Saint Anthony.
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Convent of St. Anthony (Convento do Santo Antonio) - Built in 1608 by the Order of Saint Frances, the Convent of Saint Anthony is one of the first and most important catholic constructions in Rio. If we are lucky, we may be able to attend a mass.
Ticket: 10 BRL per person. - Cinelandia - Admire the Art Deco buildings.
- Palacio Capanema - We can see Le Corbusier’s “Five Points of a New Architecture” incorporated into the design of the building. It was designed between 1935 and 1936, by a team of young architects, such as Lucio Costa and Affonso Eduardo Reidy. Oscar Niemeyer, who became Brazil’s best-known architect later, was an intern in Costa’s office by then.
- Academia Brasileira De Letras - Located inside the Edifício Austregésilo de Athayde, the building is a symbol for modernist architecture in Rio.
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Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro - The Museum of Modern Art inaugurates the brutalism aesthetic in the city.
Ticket: 20 BRL per person.
What's Included
- Professional tour guide
- Professional tour guide
What's Not Included
- Roundtrip transfer
- Entrance ticket to the Convent of St. Anthony (approx. 10 BRL per person).
- Entrance ticket to the Museu de Arte Moderna (approx. 20 BRL per person).
- Lunch
- Roundtrip transfer
- Entrance ticket to the Convent of St. Anthony (approx. 10 BRL per person).
- Entrance ticket to the Museu de Arte Moderna (approx. 20 BRL per person).
- Lunch
Additional Information
Enjoy a half-day tour through the architectural landmarks in Rio.
Rio de Janeiro was recently named the first World Capital of Architecture by UNESCO. The city has constructions of the colonial period, buildings in the art-deco style and modernist buildings.
Our walking tour starts from the Carioca’s Square in the Downtown area, where we see a group of…
Enjoy a half-day tour through the architectural landmarks in Rio.
Rio de Janeiro was recently named the first World Capital of Architecture by UNESCO. The city has constructions of the colonial period, buildings in the art-deco style and modernist buildings.
Our walking tour starts from the Carioca’s Square in the Downtown area, where we see a group of constructions of the XVII century: the Church and the Convent of St. Anthony. Then we proceed towards the Rio Branco Avenue, the first avenue to be opened in our city. Then, we go to the Cinelandia Square to see its Art Deco Constructions before we make another time jump towards the modernist architecture. The tour ends at the Museum of Modern Art.
- Reduced mobility or Wheelchair must be informed in advance and it is subject to availability.must be informed in advance.
- If requested, you must present a copy of your ID.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers per tour guide.
- Contact us back if you need further instructions to get to the Meeting Point.
- Comfortable clothing and walking shoes are recommended for this tour.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Non refundable in case of bad weather.
- Contact us to confirm the pickup time according to hotel location.
Location
Carioca Metro Station
Meeting Point at the Metro Station Carioca at the Exit *Acesso C - Convento de Santo Antônio*.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(8 Ratings)
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1 star
Anthony_b
Jun 27, 2024
Rio's Past amidst it's present day spaces. - Had the joy of super-knowledgeable and fluently tri-lingual Alberto [Cardoza?] as my historian tour guide. Listened to my questions as thoroughly as he had provided curiosities and brings to life the Rio of four centuries ago (seeing it conjured beyond the Modernist high-rises) and immerses one in Brazil's Colonial past. My favorite part is after he entreated me to lie on the floor of the central aisle of the 1721 Igreja S.Francisco de Penitência's nave to experience the Only way to truly appreciate the trompe l'oeil vaulted ceiling painting!!! Amazingly GORGEOUS Baroque & Roccoco.
I learned so much about the tumultuous 19th century intrigues during Napoleonic times (Neo Classical architecture) among Portuguese royalty and the banking and customs and the nouveau riche of Brazil. I even learned where Brazil gets its name. No spoilers.
Don't expect much on the Art Deco period however... there seems to be little of it. The Belle Epoque Beaux Arts dominates.
Review provided by Viator
591andr
May 12, 2024
I loved the experience - The guide made this an incredible experience!!! Thanks to her we visited several historical sites in Rio, she gave us a lot of useful information and provided us with security during the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adrisofil960422
May 12, 2024
Excellent destination and a super complete tour - Rio is a spectacular destination, friendly people and beautiful places.
The city enchants with its atmosphere, culture and history and without a doubt everything was much better with the company of Monica Bertazzolo, an excellent guide, supremely cultured, prepared and willing to make the tour the best experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
B2954wuricardor
Jan 7, 2024
Punctual, precise, generous, kind - Monica is a great guide. He showed us places that normally on another tour one would not get to know. It has a lot of contextual information where the urban development of the city as well as its buildings is understood. The route is very structured, has sections on foot and by tram and presents an evolutionary perspective of the city from its founding to the intervention of the Olympic Games. Safely recommended for architects, urban planners, landscapers, historians and artists in general. Thanks Monica.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chris
Aug 3, 2023
Very nice visit - Excellent visit with Monica, always attentive! Knowing his subject perfectly, the history of Brazil and more precisely of Rio. Good experience !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z761bybarbaraj
Feb 5, 2023
Fantastic way to learn about Rio’s history, tour the downtown, and see buildings with a range of architectural styles - The tour was a great way to see a few of the most striking architecture and significant buildings in Rio and to learn about the city’s history. Monica, our guide, was knowledgeable, personable and helpful. She customized the tour based on our interests to include an exhibit of handicrafts from different regions of Brazil and even helped find a great restaurant nearby to have lunch at after the tour. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Matthew
Dec 1, 2022
Very informative and highly recommended - Monica was very knowledgeable and provided a lot of background information to the sites visited. Thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Annaulla_r
Apr 7, 2022
A great introduction to Rio and Brazil! - An amazing way to learn about the city, its culture, history and art. A must for anyone interested in architecture. It was a beautiful experience to learn about different times of the city, its architectural developments as well as possibility to see the city in action. To see people engaging in their hobbies was a great way to learn about Rio.
Review provided by Viator
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