Essential Free Tour Rio de Janeiro

Walk thought historical quarters to discover Rio de Janeiro beyond beaches and cocktails.
Discover streets from the 1930s, see the spectacular Candelaria Church and many more hidden gems.
Find the African heritage in the city and take photos of amazing street art, murals and graffiti.

FAQs for Free Tours

Do you want to discover the real Rio de Janeiro beyond the paradisiac beaches, the exuberant nature, carnival and the Corcovado? On the Essential Free Tour of Rio de Janeiro, you will understand how the past five centuries of rich Brazilian history unfold, from its foundation in 1565 to the present day. Join a passionate local guide and a small group of international travelers for a wonderful walk that will take you to all the must-see landmarks in Rio. You will hear how a green virgin marshland, with hills and sugar cane fields, became the most important and charismatic city in Brazil, the most cosmopolitan city in South America, and one of the most beautiful metropolises in the world.

Your guide on the Essential Free Tour of Rio de Janeiro will unravel for you all the elements that make contemporary Rio so vibrant and exciting. Guests will learn about Brazil through the history of its most charismatic city, from colonial times to the declaration of independence in 1889. Walking past the Imperial Palace or Largo da Carioca, you will undoubtedly marvel at how one square can go from being the main port where African slaves arrived to the New World in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, to the imperial residence of the Portuguese Royal family during the Napoleonic wars in the early 19th century; and finally, to the place where the Republic was proclaimed and an independent free Brazil was born in 1889.

Your guide will make sure that you visit important landmarks such as the famous Cinelandia Square, home to the wonderful Municipal Theater. You will also feel travelling back in time as you wander through charming colonial Belle Epoque buildings and stand in awe of the magnificent temples build in the name of Catholicism, a key ingredient to understand the roots of not just Rio but all Brazilian culture. All in all, during the Free Tour in Rio, you will get an understanding of all the components that have helped create this colorful, festive, musical, cosmopolitan, multicultural metropolis of six million people. So, why don’t you book today? Come and walk with a small group of interesting international travelers and enjoy a great day in Rio!