Take a moment to stop in to this cathedral- it's stunning. No entrance fee, just take off your hat…read moreand follow the rules. Our guide said this cathedral can hold 21,000 people standing and they fill it to capacity when the pope visits. Absolutely stunning architecture!!

We visited this amazing cathedral as part of a city tour in Rio and were amazed!…read more From the exterior you might never guess it's a cathedral based on its unique pyramid shape. We learned the architect was a fan of the Mayan pyramid temples and wanted to build a similarly shaped cathedral. The inside is spacious and massive with so many amazing design details. There is a wonder peaceful and cool stillness inside as well which makes it a great place to sit and collect your thoughts for a little while. We really enjoyed strolling around inside and being in awe of this amazing structure!

Stumbled upon this historic church today during lunch. Its…read moreright on a main street - Av. Passos - and like all older historic churches in the area, the outside is very plain and simple, but the inside is filled with intricate detail wood work. Even if you are not Catholic, I highly recommend entering and checking out the amazing design of this church that was built in 1820. The interior is dark and not as bright as the Igreja do Carmo, but its still beautiful. Always lovely to find these historic treasures in downtown Rio.

The Presbyterian Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro is a historic congregation of the Presbyterian Church…read moreof Brasil, and was the first Presbyterian church in the country. Less ornate than its Catholic counterpart, but still architecturally ornate from pews to pulpit the Cathedral warrants a look if one is nearby but does not warrant a side trip for any but the devout.

Absolutely gorgeous church, much prefer this to the San Bento Monastery. Breathtaking architecture,…read moreart and sculptures all in one place. Free admission, though donations accepted. In close proximity to other Centro attractions such as Real Gabinete, Confeiteria Colombo, and the Theatro Municipal. Well worth a visit.

Another historic location worth a visit in downtown Rio. It used to be the Cathedral of Rio until…read morethe 70s, and I beleive was built in the 1600s . it is a historic location, used for all religious services when the royal family was in Rio. The interior of the church is beautiful with tons of detail work. there are gold detailing and just breath taking. They offer tours in the mornings and they have a special collections area to visit as well. Besides the main church, they have a side chapel.

One of the most popular landmarks in Brazil, the Selaron Steps are a highlight of the Lapa…read moreneighborhood. we were lucky to be able to stop by twice first time at night which was great because there were not that many people around & the next time during the day so glad we came before just way too many people during the day hard to really enjoy the area. The steps are a fun colorful display of different countries, art, bright colors & traditions infused together to make these crazy colorful steps. This was a nice stop for sure & definitely worth the look.

Fun place. I feel like this spot screamed Brazil! Lots of little vendors with cheap drinks. Most…read moreeveryone accepts card. Will be busy. So keep that in mind. But its definitely a vibe!