Rio de Janeiro is known for its popular beaches, lively samba music, colorful Carnival culture, and lush tropical surroundings. Hidden beneath its bright, colorful, and at times brash facade, this metropolis also offers a more luxurious side that's just waiting to be discovered. As it turns out, Brazil's bustling capital is a prime destination for indulging in the finer things in life.
Our professional Rio de Janeiro private tour guides will be able to curate the perfect itinerary for your trip. Whether you prefer to focus on outdoor adventures or culinary delights, our guides will help make your trip memorable. To help get you inspired, here are our top picks for Rio de Janeiro tours with a tad of luxury.
The Art Scene
Rio de Janeiro boasts a thriving art scene, with several fascinating and inspiring art museums in the city. Museu de Arte do Rio in the central district is a great place to start. Crossing over the President Costa e Silva Bridge to neighboring Niterói, the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum will take your breath away with its architecture alone. This futuristic structure was designed by the iconic Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. Visiting the museum is an absolute must for art lovers and architecture enthusiasts alike.
Beyond the museums, Rio is also home to many cutting-edge art galleries. Leading galleries in the city include Anita Schwartz, Artur Fidalgo, and Galeria Laura Marsiaj. Rio de Janeiro also hosts the annual ArtRio festival, which is one of the largest art festivals in Latin America, attracting tens of thousands of art lovers.
A Rio Helicopter Tour
Rio de Janeiro is home to many unmissable landmarks, including the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer and the picturesque Sugarloaf Mountain. Not only that, but the city itself is stunning in its own right, with urban development beautifully juxtaposed by the lush greens of the surrounding tropics and the blue hues of the Atlantic Ocean. The ultimate way to take in these one-of-a-kind vistas is from way up high - from the luxurious privacy of your very own helicopter.
Based on your preference, a helicopter tour over Rio can take anywhere from 8 minutes to a full hour. This gives you enough time to drink in the views, though a shorter trip will only focus on a specific site, usually Christ the Redeemer. If you are wondering how all those stunning images of the iconic Christian statue looming over the city were captured, this is the way, so be sure to keep your camera fully charged for the duration of the flight!
A Shopping Spree in Ipanema
The Ipanema neighborhood was made immortal by the song "The Girl from Ipanema". While the neighborhood is still most closely associated with its beautiful sandy beaches, it is also one of Rio's premier shopping districts. If you're looking to shop for luxury goods and designer pieces while in town, this is the place to be.
Luxury brands like Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and H.Stren all have boutiques in the Ipanema neighborhood. If you get hungry while perusing the stores, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants in the area too. The neighboring area of Leblon is a great destination for shoppers too, with the upscale shopping center Shopping Leblon featuring well-known international and local brand stores alike.
Michelin-Starred Dining
Foodies and gourmands will feel right at home in the Marvelous City. Rio de Janeiro is blessed with countless great restaurants, earning rave reviews from locals and visitors alike. There are two restaurants in the city which shine even brighter than the rest, as they have earned the coveted two Michelin stars. Dining at these establishments is an experience you'll savor for years to come.
The two restaurants in question are Oro and Oteque. Headed by local Chef Felipe Bronze, Oro specializes in innovative Brazilian cuisine with a focus on seasonal local ingredients. Oteque on the other hand serves modern seafood in a beautiful building dating back to the 1930s. If you need more convincing to visit, Oteque was also ranked as one of the best restaurants in the world by The World's 50 Best Restaurants guide. Be sure to book your table well in advance, as both of these culinary heavy hitters are in very high demand!
Sleep in Luxury
Most visitors would agree that the city's pulsating energy and stunning scenery make Rio de Janeiro unlike anywhere else in the world. Absorbing the city's unique beauty and character can take its toll on you, so you will definitely need a luxurious place to rest and recuperate after exploring the city. The best place to do that is the incomparable Hotel Nacional Rio, which captures the city's idiosyncratic charm to a T.
Hotel Nacional Rio is a five-star luxury hotel and a true architectural marvel. The 108-meter-tall hotel stands in the São Conrado neighborhood and offers direct views of the beach and out to the ocean. The hotel was designed by Oscar Niemeyer in the 1960s and boasts exactly the kind of futuristic design that this famed architect is so well known for. After being closed for two decades, the hotel was fully renovated and reopened in 2017. It now boasts all the modern comforts of a five-star hotel, including multiple swimming pools and saunas to relax in. The stunning ocean and mountain views that are visible from all +400 rooms are truly fit for a celebrity!
Conclusion
As you can see, Rio de Janeiro is a fabulous destination for experiencing a more lavish side of living. From sweeping helicopter rides to indulgent gourmet dining, the city is truly ready to pamper you. Our top tip for experiencing the city in the most lavish style possible? Book a Rio de Janeiro private tour that you can customize to suit all your own personal preferences. Our Rio de Janeiro private guides can introduce you to the very best the city has to offer, while also taking care of all the nitty-gritty details for you. We also have a range of other Brazil private tours available if you’d like to venture outside the city.