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Historic Rio Tour: Explore Architecture & Culture
4.6
311 Ratings
Centro
Discover the rich history and vibrant multicultural traditions of Rio de Janeiro on a guided walking tour of its historic center. Explore iconic architecture, visit historic sites, and immerse yourself in the unique carioca way of life.
Discover the rich history and vibrant multicultural traditions of Rio de Janeiro on a guided walking tour of its historic center. Explore iconic architecture, visit historic sites, and immerse yourself in the unique carioca way of life.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro - We will make a historical introduction to the square where the theater is located.
- National Library (Biblioteca Nacional) - Located next to the world theater.
- Escadaria Selaron - Staircase selaron great point for shooting.
- Carioca Aqueduct - Located next to the selaron staircase. Introducing…
- Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro - We will make a historical introduction to the square where the theater is located.
- National Library (Biblioteca Nacional) - Located next to the world theater.
- Escadaria Selaron - Staircase selaron great point for shooting.
- Carioca Aqueduct - Located next to the selaron staircase. Introducing the historical context of the region.
- The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian - Headquarters of the Catholic Church in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro.
- Largo da Carioca - Place with important historical content for the city.
- Praca Quinze de Novembro - Important place. Where the Real de Portugal family resided.
What's Included
- Licensed tour guide
- Optional entrance to Sacred Museum of San Francisco Penitencia (R$ 20,00)
- Licensed tour guide
- Optional entrance to Sacred Museum of San Francisco Penitencia (R$ 20,00)
What's Not Included
- Private transportation
- Lunch: 10 USD per person maximum
- Private transportation
- Lunch: 10 USD per person maximum
Additional Information
Guided tour of the historic city center.
On this tour you will be introduced to Rio de Janeiro within its historical context. Focusing on architecture and multicultural traditions, which define a unique way of being and living the ‘carioca’.
We will walk towards the knowledge and traditions of the City. We will visit squares, churches, and historic…
Guided tour of the historic city center.
On this tour you will be introduced to Rio de Janeiro within its historical context. Focusing on architecture and multicultural traditions, which define a unique way of being and living the ‘carioca’.
We will walk towards the knowledge and traditions of the City. We will visit squares, churches, and historic sites. There will be the possibility of stopping for lunch, which is not included in the price of the tour. You will spend a maximum of 10 USD per person. We will pass by souvenir shops where the purchase will be optional.
We will wait for you for this adventure through the streets of Rio de Janeiro.
Location
Av. Treze de Maio, 155
Avenida Treze de Maio
In front of the Municipal Theatre, next to the police trailer.
9:00 a.m.
2:30 p.m.
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
4.6
(311 Ratings)
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Alexcq4637kp
Sep 28, 2025
Walking tour full of knowledge and scenery - I really liked the tour, the guide took me around several places in the center of Rio, clearing doubts I had about the history of Rio and filling with context the buildings, squares and other places we were seeing on the walking tour.
I recommend the tour, it helps a lot to know the center of Rio
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rjcphysio
Sep 16, 2025
Great value - A very full tour and great value for money. We saw all the major sites in the Centro area, including some amazing cathedrals and churches.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sid_v
Sep 14, 2025
Excellent introduction to... - Excellent introduction to Rio, a well curated tour. The guides were passionate and really looked after me. A must if you’re visiting Rio
Review provided by Viator
Melissa
Sep 5, 2025
Very thorough tour and covers a lot of ground - This tour was a great deal and covered A LOT. I actually took 2 history tours during my time in Rio. I paid much more for the first tour but felt like it missed a lot of sites. Thus, I decided to take a second tour and selected this one. This tour literally takes you everywhere and covers all the highlights you are likely to want to see in the downtown area. I will agree with others comments that the guide is a little odd but he is very passionate about showing people around Rio. I also think that other people are a little too critical as this covers MANY places and there is no way a guide could go into in depth detail about each one. He points out the highlights and ensures you get to see (and take good photos if you want) of many historical sites of the city. The tour does run on the long side as others have mentioned so don’t be surprised if it last longer than 3 hours because you see so much. All in all, would recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ruthmg4545tx
Aug 16, 2025
A must see when visiting Lapa or Historical down town. - Escadaria Selaron, are a must see, when visiting the historical down town. Tiles from every where adorn the steps. Plenty of shops and booths, adorn, the side of the steps. After the tour up the steps, walk to the Carioca aqueduct / now a via duct for the tram way and the Metropolitian Cathedral.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Germana681
Jul 22, 2025
Great moment in the historic center of Rio - Excellent experience with an exceptional guide in terms of cultural knowledge and detailed description of each place we visit
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R7503bwbenf
Jul 18, 2025
Great exposure to downtown, history - Great tour - I"m so glad I took the tour. I would have missed so much if I hadn't. Tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly.- He took extra care at the end to make sure I could find an ATM in a safe neighborhood.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andreaspapag
Sep 17, 2025
A very uncomfortable experience with the first guide!! - Unfortunately, one of the worst walking tours we have ever experienced in our travels!
I would like to separate our experience into two parts, since the tour was split with two different guides.
The first guide was really unprofessional and I would not characterize him a "guide" at all.
We didn't hear anything historical during the tour from him but we were just announced the places we were - which obviously we already knew!
Sentences were not complete in English (English of low level), we were crossing the middle of the road and not through traffic lights, we were passing close to homeless people even though we could avoid them and feel more safe.
In general, one hour of a very uncomfortable experience and we were about to stop the tour if the second guide didn't show up.
The second guide, Carlos, was very polite and motivated to tell us many things about the town - he really saved the day. His English also not perfect, but much better than before, able to communicate and pass on information about all the sites we visited. Very friendly and helpful and as previously said - without him the tour would have already ended.
Not sure if I would recommend this tour since you don't know in advance your guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yoedmar_l
Sep 13, 2025
Irresponsible guide! He didn't come and he didn't warn us, either, wasting our time. - Although I hired this tour we did not do it because the guide never arrived. You weren't kind enough to let me know either, even though I wrote to the Enterprise number you provided. I communicated directly with Viator and despite being told to wait an additional 20 minutes that had already been communicated with Mr. Lucimir and that this would arrive, he never showed up.
Review provided by Viator
Maria_s
Aug 30, 2025
Do not book this tour. - The address provided does not exist. I took an Uber there and found no city tour—just a random spot in a neighborhood that didn’t feel particularly safe or tourist-friendly. It was a very confusing and frustrating experience, especially for someone unfamiliar with the area.
In the end, I had to make my own mini tour using the internet, asking a police officer for directions to the Selarón Steps, and figuring things out on my own. I eventually took the subway back to my hotel.
This was definitely not the experience I was expecting, and I would not recommend it.
Review provided by Viator