Nestled between land and sea, the city known as the Marvelous City, offers extraordinary landscapes. To fully enjoy them, what better way than to gain some height ? Discover the 5 best panoramic viewpoints in Rio de Janeiro. One thing is certain, you will never see Brazil's capital in the same way again !

1. Corcovado, the Christ the Redeemer Statue

It is undoubtedly the most famous viewpoint in Brazil. And although it is an ultra-touristic attraction, the Christ the Redeemer statue remains a must-see when visiting Rio de Janeiro. It is on the summit of Corcovado, at 710 meters altitude, that the Christ the Redeemer statue stands. On site, the 360° panoramic view allows us to see the city center, the favelas, the beaches, the famous Sugarloaf Mountain… In a word, the view from the Christ the Redeemer statue gives the impression of having Rio at your feet.

2. Pão de Açúcar

Another major site of Brazil's capital : Pão de Açúcar. The famous Sugarloaf Mountain is the only hill in Rio de Janeiro that rises directly from the waterfront. In other words, you cannot miss it ! Made of granite, this massive rock reaches 396 meters altitude and consequently offers breathtaking views of Rio's bay. To get there, you can take a cable car. The climb takes place in two stages : a first cable car takes you to the top of Urca Hill (Morro da Urca) and a second takes you to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. In any case, it is the ideal place to enjoy the sunset. And if you do not want to find yourself surrounded by tourists, choose to climb between noon and 2 p.m.

3. Vista Chinesa

Perched at 380 meters above sea level in Tijuca National Park, Vista Chinesa (translated as "Chinese view") is a small pagoda of Chinese style. Built in 1903, the structure is a monument paying tribute to workers from Macao who came to cultivate tea in the region. While the monument itself is nothing extraordinary, this viewpoint offers an exceptional view of Rio. You can see among others Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, Ipanema beach… It is also an opportunity to discover and explore the hiking trails of Floresta da Tijuca, the largest urban forest in the world !

4. Pedra Bonita

Looking for a panoramic viewpoint with fewer crowds in Rio de Janeiro ? Head to Pedra Bonita ! And because good news always comes in pairs, this viewpoint is also very easy to access despite its 696 meters altitude. Indeed, you can park your car before starting a short climb of about thirty minutes. At the top of the summit of what is called 'the beautiful stone', you can enjoy a beautiful view of the São Conrado neighborhood to the east and the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood to the west.

5. Pedra da Gávea

For experienced hikers and the most motivated, do not miss Pedra da Gávea. Rising to 800 meters altitude, Pedra da Gávea is considered by many as the most beautiful panoramic viewpoint in Rio de Janeiro but also the most challenging ! To reach it, plan for a full day to take your time (the climb takes about 3 hours 30 minutes). At the top, the reward is worthwhile : a breathtaking view of Pedra Bonita, Barra da Tijuca, Ipanema beach, the Cagarras Islands… The ideal being to be accompanied by a guide to ensure the safety of the climb and learn more about the geology and history of the place…