Rio de Janeiro · HISTORICAL TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 history tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
See Rio’s historic center, Lapa, and artistic Santa Teresa on a four-hour guided tour with hotel pickup and city views.
“Our guide Dario was very professional, gave us a lot of information about Brasil, Rio de Janeiro, traditions. Guide speaks very clearly and interestingly. It is really worth to order such a tour.”
Explore Rio’s Little Africa, from Mauá Square and Pedra do Sal to Valongo, on a moving 150-minute heritage walk led by local guides.
“Eddie was an excellent guide - he went above and beyond our expectations.”
Walk Rio’s Little Africa with an expert guide, visiting Valongo Wharf, Pedra do Sal, Afro-Brazilian museums, and historic Black communities.
“Rafael was amazing!! So knowledgeable about the history, we learned a lot and had so much fun. A must book!”
Explore Rio’s historic center on a private three-hour walk from Cinelândia to Paço Imperial, with lively local history and classic sights.
“Although we saw some great sites, the guide made us feel like he needed to be somewhere else, and our 2 1/2-hour tour ended after 1 1/2 hours. It was not an inexpensive tour so we left feeling taken advantage of (and perhaps not seeing everything we were supposed to see?). Perhaps a price adjustment is in order.......”
Explore old Rio on foot, from Candelária and São Bento to Imperial Palace, Mauá Square, Colombo Bakery, and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
“On this tour your will visit several churches along with other places of interest. Melanie was an excellent tour ambassador for, Rio de Janerio! She shared history of the city and allowed us time to make our way through the sites. I recommend, shopping at the local market near Rio Cathedral and taking in linch at places less touristy as the line ups are shorter and the snacks and meals overall throughout Rio are of European standard. I recommend doing this tour on your first or second day of your visit as it provided you with an understanding of the cities layout and identifies places you may which to spend…”
Explore Rio’s Old Port, Museum of Tomorrow, colonial churches, Olympic landmarks, and Confeitaria Colombo on a guided half-day tour.
“Muy interesante y bonito el paseo. Es bueno conocer el centro histórico y el museo es otro nivel, me encantó”
Explore Rio’s Olympic Boulevard, Valongo Wharf, Kobra mural, Museum of Tomorrow, Saint Benedict Monastery, and Confeitaria Colombo.
“Emma was a great and friendly guide. We had a great time touring the locations in the tour and loved the flexibility of touring the museum of tomorrow at our own pace. Highly recommend for those wanting to see a different side of Rio not covered in many other tours of the city”
Tour imperial Petrópolis, visit the Bohemia Brewery with three tastings, and see Brazil’s neo-Gothic cathedral, palace, and museums.
“The pick up was 35 minutes late. The tour was advertised as approximately 9 hours but it ended up being over 12 hours. We didn’t get back until after 8.30pm and we were one of first off the bus luckily! The lateness was mainly due to a stop Read more”
Explore Rio’s Centro, Santa Teresa, and Lapa on a full-day walking tour with churches, street art, tram views, and local history.
“Superbe découverte du centre ville. Yvan nous a fait découvrir l’histoire de Rio pendant une journée. Merci encore à lui pour toutes ces explications. Je recommande vivement”
Walk Rio’s historic center and Lapa with a lively guide, from the National Library to Selarón Steps, with history, photos, and local tips.
“Disappointed that our tours booked in English were cancelled due to a minimum of 3 people needed in order to conduct the tours. The fine print does state that a minimum of 3 are needed but we would have been happy to tip more to meet the minimum. Both tours were cancelled a few hours before the scheduled start time. Our time in Rio was limited and thus it was impossible to find an alternative at the last minute. Wish we had had some warning a few days in advance and we could have prepared a backup plan.”
Explore imperial Petrópolis from Rio with palace rooms, cathedral, Santos Dumont’s house, Rua Teresa shopping, and buffet lunch.
“The friendly and knowledgeable guide (sorry I forget his name) took us from Copacabana to the Imperial Palace museum, the cathedral, the "crystal palace", the house of aviator Santos-Dumont and various places for refreshments. It was very interesting. It could be slightly improved by making it a shorter trip with fewer refreshments.”
Explore Rio’s African heritage through art, Little Africa, Afro-Brazilian food, and a hands-on percussion workshop with a private guide.
“This tour was really informative! Please take this tour if you want to learn some amazing/crazy facts about Brazil”
Explore Rio’s Jewish heritage, from its oldest synagogue and Holocaust Memorial to the Jewish Museum, with hotel pickup and an expert guide.
“A great straightforward 3 hour tour to the most important Jewish spots of Rio. The tour guide, Efraim, was wonderful. Friendly, knowledgeable, and engaging.”
Walk Rio’s historic downtown and Lapa with a small group, entering the Old Cathedral, Imperial Palace, and National Library.
“Interesting, great information, our guide was very knowledgeable. Took us to places we wouldn’t have found if we were walking around on her own!”
Explore Rio’s historic center by subway and on foot, from Cinelândia and Confeitaria Colombo to Candelaria, with a local guide.
“Monique was a pleasure! Enjoyed our time with her!”
Pick a summit, a stretch of sand or a night out.
