Praia da Barra da Tijuca

Rio de Janeiro


The best thing about Barra is the beach. It stretches for 18km, with the blue sea lapping at the shore. The first few kilometers of its eastern end are filled with bars and seafood restaurants.

The young and hip hang out in front of barraca (stall) No 1, in an area known as Praia do Pepê, after the famous carioca hang-gliding champion who died during a competition in Japan in 1991. The beach is more accessible than ever thanks to the new metro station at Jardim Ocêanico, located about 1km north of the shoreline.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Rio de Janeiro attractions

1. Bosque da Barra

2.27 MILES

Covering 50 hectares of salt-marsh vegetation, this park is a refuge and breeding area for many small birds and animals, and you might spy capybaras,…

2. Parque Olímpico

4.05 MILES

This was the epicenter of the 2016 Summer Olympics and the Paralympic Games. Sadly, the facilities now sit largely abandoned and are not open to the…

3. Parque da Cidade

6.51 MILES

On the outer reaches of Gávea, this lush park of native Mata Atlântica rainforest and replanted secondary forest provides a refreshing escape from the…

4. Instituto Moreira Salles

6.86 MILES

This beautiful cultural center hosts impressive exhibitions, often showcasing the works of some of Brazil's best photographers and artists. The gardens,…

5. Parque Natural Municipal de Marapendi

7.04 MILES

Near Barra da Tijuca's coastal strip, this155-hectare biological reserve has photogenic views over the Marapendi lagoon dotted with mangroves, towering…

6. Mirante do Leblon

7.29 MILES

A few fishers casting out to sea mingle with couples admiring the view at this overlook uphill from the western end of Leblon Beach. The luxury Sheraton…

7. Planetário

7.32 MILES

Gávea's stellar attraction, the Planetário features a museum, a praça dos telescópios (telescopes' square) and a couple of state-of-the-art operating…

8. Lurixs: Arte Contemporânea

7.37 MILES

One of Rio's top contemporary galleries moved to this Leblon location in 2017, and it continues to stage captivating exhibitions inside a four-story…

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      "destination": "Rio-de-Janeiro",
      "continent": "South-America",
      "country": "Brazil",
      "city": "Rio-de-Janeiro",
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