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Rio de Janeiro: The Marvellous City

Where French art de vivre meets the vibrant soul of Rio de Janeiro.

There are destinations you visit, and those that stay with you forever. Rio de Janeiro belongs firmly to the latter.
 

Few cities possess such extraordinary natural beauty. Granite peaks rise through the morning mist, Atlantic rainforest spills towards the ocean, and sweeping beaches frame a skyline unlike anywhere else in the world. Here, life is lived outdoors. Dawn belongs to surfers chasing the first waves, afternoons unfold beneath colourful beach umbrellas, and evenings linger long after sunset, when rooftop terraces glow above the coastline and samba drifts through the warm tropical air. 
 

Known affectionately as the Cidade Maravilhosa, the Marvellous City, Rio captivates not simply because of what it looks like, but because of how it makes you feel.
 

And nowhere embodies that spirit better than Ipanema. 

Ipanema


Immortalised by The Girl from Ipanema, the neighbourhood has become the city's most elegant address. Along its famous beachfront promenade, runners, cyclists and surfers move effortlessly between the ocean and the city, while beach volleyball games unfold on the sand beneath the watchful silhouette of Dois Irmãos. Beach kiosks, invite passers-by to pause for freshly grilled seafood, chilled coconut water or a perfectly mixed caipirinha, all enjoyed to the soundtrack of rolling Atlantic waves.
 


Away from the shoreline, another side of Ipanema emerges. Designer boutiques sit beside independent galleries, leafy cafés spill onto quiet streets and conversations stretch comfortably through the afternoon. As daylight begins to soften, locals make their way to nearby Arpoador, where applause greets the setting sun every evening, a simple tradition that perfectly captures the joyful rhythm of Rio.
 

Christ the Redeemer

Yet the city's greatest treasures reach far beyond its famous beaches.


 


High above the rooftops, Christ the Redeemer watches over Rio from the summit of Corcovado Mountain. Reached by a scenic railway winding through the lush Atlantic rainforest of Tijuca National Park, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World offers an unforgettable panorama across mountains, forests and the glittering Atlantic.
 

Across Guanabara Bay, another icon awaits. The famous Swiss-designed glass cable cars ascend Sugarloaf Mountain in graceful silence, revealing ever-changing perspectives of Rio's remarkable landscape. Arrive in the late afternoon and watch the city transform beneath golden light as Ipanema, Copacabana and the surrounding coastline slowly begin to sparkle.
 

Botanical Garden


 


Perhaps Rio's greatest surprise is how seamlessly nature and city become one.
 

Only minutes from Ipanema, the Botanical Garden offers a peaceful escape beneath soaring imperial palms and giant Amazon water lilies. Curious coatis wander between tropical gardens alive with birdsong, while nearby Parque Lage, an elegant historic mansion embraced by rainforest, remains one of Rio's most enchanting hidden retreats. Beyond, Tijuca National Park reveals waterfalls, forest trails and spectacular viewpoints that remind visitors they are exploring the world's largest urban rainforest.
 

Santa Teresa


 


Rio has long inspired artists, architects and musicians, and its creative energy is woven into every neighbourhood.
 

The colourful streets of Santa Teresa invite leisurely exploration, where beautifully restored colonial houses now shelter artists' studios, intimate restaurants and independent galleries overlooking the city below. The historic yellow tram continues its climb through the hillside, carrying visitors into one of Rio's most characterful districts.
 

Nearby, the vibrant Escadaria Selarón has become one of Brazil's most recognisable works of public art. Created over more than two decades by Chilean artist Jorge Selarón, its remarkable mosaic of more than 2,000 colourful tiles celebrates cultures from around the world while reflecting Rio's joyful personality. Across the city, Oscar Niemeyer's visionary architecture and the striking Museum of Tomorrow reveal a destination that looks confidently towards the future while honouring its remarkable past.
 

Cuisine


 


Rio's creativity extends naturally to the table.
 

Its cuisine is shaped by extraordinary regional ingredients, centuries of cultural influence and an abundance of seafood brought fresh from the Atlantic. Savour perfectly grilled fish overlooking the ocean, discover colourful neighbourhood markets overflowing with tropical fruit and fragrant herbs, or experience feijoada, Rio's most iconic dish, traditionally enjoyed with family and friends over a leisurely weekend lunch. As evening approaches, there are few greater pleasures than lingering over a perfectly crafted caipirinha while the last light fades across Ipanema Beach.
 

Music

Music arrives naturally as the sun goes down.


 


Rio is the birthplace of samba and one of the homes of bossa nova, where rhythm accompanies everyday life. Across the city, percussion groups rehearse throughout the year, dancers perfect intricate routines and neighbourhood gatherings celebrate traditions passed between generations. After dark, nearby Lapa becomes the city's beating heart. Beneath its historic aqueduct, live music spills from intimate bars and traditional dance halls, inviting visitors to experience samba where it truly belongs.
 

Réveillon

If music defines Rio, celebration defines its soul. 


 


As the year draws to a close, Rio enters one of its most magical seasons. Nearby Copacabana Beach welcomes around two million people for Réveillon, one of the world's largest New Year's Eve celebrations. Spectacular fireworks light up the coastline, while candles and flowers are carried into the sea as offerings to Yemanjá, the goddess of the ocean, in a centuries-old tradition believed to bring peace and good fortune for the year ahead.
 

Carnival


 


Only weeks later, the city is transformed once again.
 

Carnival is not simply an event, it is a year in the making. Samba schools dedicate months to creating extraordinary floats, costumes and performances before taking centre stage at the Sambadrome. Throughout the city, hundreds of neighbourhood blocos fill the streets with music, colour and infectious energy, welcoming visitors to experience one of the world's greatest celebrations alongside the Cariocas themselves.
 

Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Ipanema


 


This year, another icon returns to Rio.  
 
Following an extensive transformation, Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Ipanema once again opens its doors in one of the city's most prestigious locations. Perfectly positioned between the Atlantic Ocean and the vibrant heart of Ipanema, the hotel brings French art de vivre to Brazil's most captivating destination. 
 
Its 170 beautifully redesigned rooms and suites overlook Ipanema Beach and the majestic Dois Irmãos peaks.  
 
The hotel will also become home to the renowned two-Michelin-starred restaurant Lasai on the 21st floor, where acclaimed Rio chef Rafael Costa e Silva brings his unique vision to an exceptional culinary offering. 
 
Alongside the rooftop infinity pool, spa, Beach Club and exclusive Club Millésime, it creates an elegant sanctuary above the city's vibrant energy. 
 
Opening just in time for Rio's most dazzling season, Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Ipanema invites guests to experience the Marvellous City at its most unforgettable. 
 
Some destinations leave you with photographs. Rio leaves you with a rhythm that stays with you long after you've returned home.  

Discover Sofitel Rio De Janeiro Ipanema

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