rio de janeiro
walking tour

Explore Rio's City Center by Foot

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Places Visited:

Theatro Municipal (Opera House)
Cinelandia Square
Castelo
Tiradentes Palace
Praça XV
Olympic Boulevard
Ouvidor Street
Confeitaria Colombo
Tiradentes Square
Royal Portuguese Reading Room
Lavradio Street
Lapa
Selaron Stairs

Duration: 3-4 Hours

Starting Time: 10:30 am

Languages: English, Portuguese and Spanish

The meeting point is the Theatro Municipal (Opera House), in Cinelandia Square. The tour guide will be waiting for you. We will provide information on how to get there once you book.

If you want pickup and/or drop-off services, email us.

The Royal Portuguese Reading Room does not open on Saturdays and Sundays

Price: US$ 60.00 per person

What is included

Tour Guide

What is not included

Food and Drinks

Questions? Check this tour’s FAQ and/or contact us by email or Whatsapp

What to Expect

Journey through Rio’s Historic Heart: A Tapestry of Culture and Legacy

Step into the past as our captivating tour commences at the vibrant Cinelandia Square, a realm once hailed as the Brazilian Broadway, adorned with theaters and cinemas that once lit up the night. From this vibrant start, we’ll meander to the Castelo area, an urban transformation that emerged from a hill, tracing a path imbued with history.

Pause at the majestic Tiradentes Palace, a bastion of governance that echoes with the decisions of Rio’s past. Our odyssey continues to the storied Praça XV Square, a living chronicle of Brazil’s narrative. A stroll along the Olympic Boulevard intertwines modernity with heritage, setting the stage for a passage back in time.

Embark on a journey down Rua do Ouvidor, a thoroughfare once synonymous with commerce’s pulse. Here, a respite awaits at the Confeitaria Colombo, a haven of Brazilian delights and aromatic coffee that invite you to indulge your senses.

The exploration resumes with a visit to the historic Tiradentes Square, the very site where Brazil’s inaugural Constitution was etched into history. The Royal Portuguese Reading Room emerges next, an architectural marvel celebrated by Time Magazine as one of the world’s most beautiful libraries.

Venture through Rua do Lavradio and Lapa, Rio’s bohemian heart, as we make our way to the Selaron Stairs. Adorned with vivid tiles from across the globe, this masterpiece by Chilean artist Jorge Selaron marks the tour’s conclusion.

Our journey through Rio’s cultural tapestry promises a window into the past, a bridge to heritage, and an exploration of artistic brilliance that will resonate long after the tour ends.

Book online with instant confirmation powered by Trekksoft. We accept major credit cards and Apple Pay.

Don’t like online booking ? Email us at contact@befreetur.com.br

Payment Policies:

Prepayment of 20% when booking (Credit cards, Apple Pay)
Payment of 80% on the tour day by cash (US$ or BRL) or credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express).

Cancellation Policies:

Full refund of the prepayment if cancelled at least 48 hours before the tour date.
No refund if cancelled 48 hours or less before the tour date.

frequently asked questions

What are the preventive measures against covid-19 adopted on the tours? If I'm already vaccinated, do I need to follow them?

We have been following the safety measures recommended by WHO and OMT along with the city laws. Wearing face masks is not mandatory anymore but we recommend using them. All our guides and drivers are fully vaccinated and our vehicles are sanitized after tours.

What are the main attractions in Rio?

Rio has numerous natural, historical, and cultural attractions, so it is difficult to list them all. But without a doubt, the most important and famous are the Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain. Oh, and Copacabana and Ipanema beaches.

This tour does not include pick-up and drop-off services. Can I request them? And if I prefer public transport, how do I get to the meeting point?

You sure can request the services but it will be a separate service. The price will vary according to where the points are. About public transport, it depends on where you are staying. We will send you precise instructions when the reservation is made.

What should I bring to the tour?

We recommend bottled water, sun blocker, and hand sanitizer. Light clothes are also recommended. Wearing a face mask is mandatory.

Is it safe to bring my camera to take pictures of attractions?

Usually yes, especially because our Tour Guides will always keep an eye on the surroundings. But, like in any big city, there is no way we can 100% guarantee that nothing will happen. Just be careful and if at any time you feel unsafe tell the Tour Guide and he will assist you.

What about Accessibility ?

Rio is not a good example of accessibility but the City Center got better for the 2016 Olympics. Since then, despite the lack of maintenance in many areas, we have already made tours for people with different mobility difficulties, so yes, it is possible for this public to take this tour.

Will the tour be cancelled in case of bad weather?

It really depends. We can change the date but if it is not possible we will cancel and refund you.

I am not sure if I feel safe booking on your website. How can I be sure that it's not a fraud?

We have a TripAdvisor profile and we are registered in the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism. But we understand your concern. There is a lot of scams on the Internet so if you don’t feel safe and/or comfortable booking directly on our website, we strongly recommend that you do on TripAdvisor. You can follow this link or search for ‘be free rio’ on their website. No matter the source of your booking we guarantee that you will have an unforgettable experience!

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Petropolis - The Imperial City

Join us in this time-travel tour to the lovely Petropolis, 1 hour away from Rio downtown, the place chosen by the Brazilian Royal Family to build their summerhouse in the 1800s.