Half-Day Architecture Walking Tour in Rio: Explore UNESCO's First World Capital of Architecture

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Discover the architectural wonders of Rio de Janeiro on a half-day walking tour. Explore the city’s colonial, art-deco, and modernist buildings, and learn why it was named UNESCO’s first World Capital of Architecture.

Duration: 4 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Largo da Carioca - It is considered the heart of Downtown Rio. The occupation of the city started on this place. From here, you may see the Church and the Convent of Saint Anthony.
Convent of St. Anthony (Convento do Santo Antonio) - Built in 1608 by the Order of Saint Frances, the Convent of Saint Anthony is one of the first and most important catholic constructions in Rio. If we are lucky, we may be able to attend a mass.
Ticket: 10 BRL per person.
Cinelandia - Admire the Art Deco buildings.
Palacio Capanema - We can see Le Corbusier’s “Five Points of a New Architecture” incorporated into the design of the building. It was designed between 1935 and 1936, by a team of young architects, such as Lucio Costa and Affonso Eduardo Reidy. Oscar Niemeyer, who became Brazil’s best-known architect later, was an intern in Costa’s office by then.
Academia Brasileira De Letras - Located inside the Edifício Austregésilo de Athayde, the building is a symbol for modernist architecture in Rio.
Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro - The Museum of Modern Art inaugurates the brutalism aesthetic in the city.
Ticket: 20 BRL per person.

What's Included

Professional tour guide

What's Not Included

Roundtrip transfer
Entrance ticket to the Convent of St. Anthony (approx. 10 BRL per person).
Entrance ticket to the Museu de Arte Moderna (approx. 20 BRL per person).
Lunch

Additional Information

Enjoy a half-day tour through the architectural landmarks in Rio.

Rio de Janeiro was recently named the first World Capital of Architecture by UNESCO. The city has constructions of the colonial period, buildings in the art-deco style and modernist buildings.

Our walking tour starts from the Carioca’s Square in the Downtown area, where we see a group of constructions of the XVII century: the Church and the Convent of St. Anthony. Then we proceed towards the Rio Branco Avenue, the first avenue to be opened in our city. Then, we go to the Cinelandia Square to see its Art Deco Constructions before we make another time jump towards the modernist architecture. The tour ends at the Museum of Modern Art.

Reduced mobility or Wheelchair must be informed in advance and it is subject to availability.must be informed in advance.
If requested, you must present a copy of your ID.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers per tour guide.
Contact us back if you need further instructions to get to the Meeting Point.
Comfortable clothing and walking shoes are recommended for this tour.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Non refundable in case of bad weather.
Contact us to confirm the pickup time according to hotel location.

Location

Carioca Metro Station

Meeting Point at the Metro Station Carioca at the Exit *Acesso C - Convento de Santo Antônio*.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

5.0

(7 Ratings)

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Anthony_b

Jun 27, 2024

Rio's Past amidst it's present day spaces. - Had the joy of super-knowledgeable and fluently tri-lingual Alberto [Cardoza?] as my historian tour guide. Listened to my questions as thoroughly as he had provided curiosities and brings to life the Rio of four centuries ago (seeing it conjured beyond the Modernist high-rises) and immerses one in Brazil's Colonial past. My favorite part is after he entreated me to lie on the floor of the central aisle of the 1721 Igreja S.Francisco de Penitência's nave to experience the Only way to truly appreciate the trompe l'oeil vaulted ceiling painting!!! Amazingly GORGEOUS Baroque & Roccoco. I learned so much about the tumultuous 19th century intrigues during Napoleonic times (Neo Classical architecture) among Portuguese royalty and the banking and customs and the nouveau riche of Brazil. I even learned where Brazil gets its name. No spoilers. Don't expect much on the Art Deco period however... there seems to be little of it. The Belle Epoque Beaux Arts dominates.

Review provided by Viator

591andr

May 12, 2024

I loved the experience - The guide made this an incredible experience!!! Thanks to her we visited several historical sites in Rio, she gave us a lot of useful information and provided us with security during the tour.