Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro (must see)
Copacabana Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world. At more than three miles long, the white sand of Copacabana Beach is a popular spot for tourists and locals to bask in the sun, enjoy the warm water of the Atlantic Ocean or people watch.
Though the history of the region can be traced back hundreds of years, it was primarily a fishing village through the late 19th century. It wasn't until 1923, when the Copacabana Palace Hotel was constructed, that its destiny as a hot spot for tourist activity was sealed.
At the time that the hotel was built, Copacabana Beach was only a thin line of sand that hugged the Atlantic. Tourists mostly visited the region for nightlife and gambling. That changed in the 1970s when a landfill created the large expanse of beach that exists today.
The beach stretches from Leme Beach to the historic Fort Copacabana. It is accompanied by Avenida Atlantica and a promenade with a unique black-and-white wave pattern. Those walking along the promenade will find easy access to restaurants, snack stands and beach bars. They can also rent beach equipment like umbrellas and chairs.
Along with the sand, tourists can take advantage of outdoor art and historic monuments. The beach is home to statues like the statue of Carlos Drummond de Andrade, the statue of Dorival Caymmi and an army museum that is near Fort Copacabana.
Copacabana Beach is open 24-hours per day. It is policed, well-lit and has a steady lifeguard presence. It is also active with musicians, party-goers and beach lovers both day and night.
Why You Should Visit:
- To see one of the world's top-rated beaches
- To experience a true beach party atmosphere
- To relax in the sun
Tips:
Atlantica Avenue is closed along the beach on Sundays and holidays to allow pedestrians to have a safer and easier trip to the beach. However, this does make Sundays a more popular day for throngs of tourists to visit.
Though the history of the region can be traced back hundreds of years, it was primarily a fishing village through the late 19th century. It wasn't until 1923, when the Copacabana Palace Hotel was constructed, that its destiny as a hot spot for tourist activity was sealed.
At the time that the hotel was built, Copacabana Beach was only a thin line of sand that hugged the Atlantic. Tourists mostly visited the region for nightlife and gambling. That changed in the 1970s when a landfill created the large expanse of beach that exists today.
The beach stretches from Leme Beach to the historic Fort Copacabana. It is accompanied by Avenida Atlantica and a promenade with a unique black-and-white wave pattern. Those walking along the promenade will find easy access to restaurants, snack stands and beach bars. They can also rent beach equipment like umbrellas and chairs.
Along with the sand, tourists can take advantage of outdoor art and historic monuments. The beach is home to statues like the statue of Carlos Drummond de Andrade, the statue of Dorival Caymmi and an army museum that is near Fort Copacabana.
Copacabana Beach is open 24-hours per day. It is policed, well-lit and has a steady lifeguard presence. It is also active with musicians, party-goers and beach lovers both day and night.
Why You Should Visit:
- To see one of the world's top-rated beaches
- To experience a true beach party atmosphere
- To relax in the sun
Tips:
Atlantica Avenue is closed along the beach on Sundays and holidays to allow pedestrians to have a safer and easier trip to the beach. However, this does make Sundays a more popular day for throngs of tourists to visit.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Rio de Janeiro. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Copacabana Beach on Map
Sight Name: Copacabana Beach
Sight Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (See walking tours in Rio de Janeiro)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (See walking tours in Rio de Janeiro)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Create Your Own Walk in Rio de Janeiro
Creating your own self-guided walk in Rio de Janeiro is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Rio de Janeiro Introduction Walking Tour
Rio de Janeiro is the capital city of the state of Rio de Janeiro. It was founded in 1565 by the Portuguese. It was the capital of the State of Brazil of the Portuguese Empire from 1763 until 1822.
When Brazil became independent of Portugal in 1822, Rio de Janeiro became the capital of the Empire of Brazil. In 1889, Brazil became a republican nation, with Rio de Janeiro as its capital. But in... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
When Brazil became independent of Portugal in 1822, Rio de Janeiro became the capital of the Empire of Brazil. In 1889, Brazil became a republican nation, with Rio de Janeiro as its capital. But in... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Rio de Janeiro Beach Walk
The Copacabana and Ipanema beaches are two of the main reasons Rio is so famous around the world. While Copacabana is a year-round tourist hub, famed for its incredible New Year鈥檚 Eve celebrations, the Ipanema and Leblon neighborhoods have the cleanest, safest, most beautiful beaches in the city, and are the favorite playgrounds of Rio de Janeiro鈥檚 upper-middle class.
Start your tour with a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Start your tour with a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Rio's Top Religious Sites
Due to the legacy of the Portuguese in language, religion, and law, Rio de Janeiro has had a rich and influential Catholic tradition. Until the mid-20th century almost all Brazilians were 鈥� at least nominally 鈥� Catholic, and today the country鈥檚 religious sites, both classic and modern, impress with their skill, creativity and devotion.
Founded in 1590 by Benedictine monks from Bahia, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Founded in 1590 by Benedictine monks from Bahia, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
16 Uniquely Brazilian Souvenirs to Bring Home from Rio de Janeiro
Other than the sun, passion and football, for which Brazil is renowned and which cannot be fitted into one's luggage, picking a memorable gift from Rio is a tough job. And this is not because of the lack of suitable things to choose from, but because of their abundance. Indeed, there're...