10 Top Tourist Attractions in Arraial do Cabo

Let’s talk about the main tourist attractions in Arraial do Cabo. Yes, destiny is everything you see in the photos. But with a difference: up close, everything looks even more beautiful!

So, don’t settle for the images you see out there: take a few days and come and check out the best tourist spots in Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro, in person. 

165 km from Rio de Janeiro, Arraial is located in the Lagos Region. Seven municipalities surround the Araruama and Saquarema lagoons, hence the name. But the highlight is the salty waters of the paradisiacal beaches, which are the main protagonists of this article.

Find out now what to do in Arraial do Cabo so you can create your itinerary around the town, among other incredible tourist attractions in Brazil.

1. Farol Beach

Praia do Farol is the main beach and the most famous attraction in Arraial do Cabo! It is considered 2nd among the most beautiful beaches in Brazil, according to Tripadvisor’s Travelers Choice Award and, certainly, it is the one you see most in photos on the internet.

The sand is white, fine, and very clean. The water is blue, transparent, and calm. Farol Beach is only accessible by boat, and its territory is controlled by the Navy. Therefore, you can only reach it on an authorized vessel.

The beach is very small, less than 1 km long, but tourists have even less space, with limits marked both on the sand and in the water. It only receives 250 tourists at a time. Therefore, there are logistics to visiting the place: it is better to leave on the first boat or, at most, on the second to get to the emptiest beach.

Each vessel is only allowed to stay moored for 40 minutes. And when the limit of 250 people reaches, the next boats that arrive later have to wait for them to be vacated.

Once at the beach, you must enjoy every minute of that short time and know that you are having the privilege of enjoying a true paradise. Take the time to enjoy the view, dive in, and make the rocks your personal jacuzzi. There are no tents or shops on this beach, which makes the experience even more interesting. 

 2. Beaches of Pontal do Atalaia

The beaches of Pontal do Atalaia are the second most popular tourist attraction in Arraial do Cabo. Unlike Praia do Farol, they are not isolated or controlled by the Navy, although they are protected. You can get to them both by boat and by car. They are called that in the plural because when the tide is low, two beaches are formed. When the tide comes in, everything becomes one thing.

They are located far from the city center and are very famous because of the wooden staircases that always appear in beautiful photos spread across the network. Its waters are very blue, and the sand is equally white.

From the top of the stairs, you can see how blue the waters of Prainhas are. It looks like a huge pool surrounded by vegetation and mountains. There are 255 steps with a breathtaking view. Unfortunately, I didn’t see accessibility for people with mobility difficulties. For these, it is best to arrive by boat.

The beaches of Pontal do Italaia are considered together as the 3rd most beautiful beach in Brazil by Tripadvisor’s Travelers Choice Award. Honestly, after visiting them I had serious doubts as to which would be the most beautiful: Praia do Farol or the beaches of Pontal do Italaia. I prefer the second. When in doubt: get to know both and draw your own conclusions!

Because it is open, the beaches have several stalls serving snacks, drinks, and even meals. But don’t expect to find restaurants. They are very simple stalls, but they serve tapioca, fish, and sandwiches, starting at R$15. Therefore, a visit here is definitely one of the best things to do in Arraial do Cabo.

3. Forno Beach

Praia do Forno is another of the best Arraial do Cabo attractions. It is close to the city center and can be reached on foot, although it is also accessible by boat.

It is behind a large mountain. The beaches of Arraial do Cabo are generally well hidden. It’s a different geography, where the beaches hide behind the hills, and you gradually discover the beauty.

To reach Forno Beach on foot, you will have to take a 1.5 km trail and climb several stone steps. To enter, you go through an access located right in the heart of the city, next to the Porto Portal, and there is always a guardhouse with a soldier to monitor whoever goes up.

Unfortunately, those who have mobility problems or cannot exert themselves physically will not be able to do the trail, as it is not accessible at all, although it is not difficult. There are several stone steps. For these people, it is better to go by boat.

After halfway along the trail, the descent begins, and you will already have a beautiful view of what awaits you below: Forno Beach with its green waters and white sands. Of all the beaches I dived at, this was the one where I found the water to be the coldest (they say Grande Beach is even colder). But nothing stops you from entering.

This beach also has some tents, tables, and chairs. With no big infrastructure, everything is very simple. Take advantage of the viewpoints along the trail and enjoy the view without worry.

To leave Forno Beach, you can follow the same trail back and get out in the city center or take a taxi boat (R$ 10) that will leave you at Praia dos Anjos, where the pier is located and is neighboring the region’s city ​​center. 

 4. Grande Beach

As the name suggests, Grande Beach is the biggest beach in Arraial do Cabo. It has an extensive strip of sand, and its waters are clean and blue, but they are much rougher than the others. So much so that it seems like you are in another city; such is the difference in wave behavior. Therefore, it is one of the best places in Arraial do Cabo for surfers and the coolest crowd.

Its strip of sand is very wide and bordered by a paved shore, with numerous kiosks serving food, drinks, and even live music.

For those who don’t surf, the highlight of Praia Grande is enjoying the sunset over its waters. It’s a spectacle. However, I wasn’t lucky enough to witness it completely. I went two days in a row, and the sun was beautiful, but when it was about to hide in the sea, big clouds covered the scene. But it was still worth the experience, as the vibe of the place is incredible! The best I could do was take photos just before sunset.

Although all the locals said that Praia Grande was “close” to the center, I didn’t think so, especially at the time I went to watch the sunset. At 4pm, the sun was still strong and the 20 minute walk wasn’t great.

This beach is not included in boat trips around Arraial. So, to see it, you will have to go on foot or by car. Don’t miss it, especially in the late afternoon. Take Uber, it’s very cheap. 

 5. Praia dos Anjos

This beach is not that touristy, but all visitors end up passing by it. This is because it hosts the city’s three piers, from where all the city’s boat trips depart.

A small port is also in this region, as well as the public market and several little shops with very attractive souvenir prices. This beach is much more beautiful from above than from below. The trail to Praia do Forno provides a good overview of the region, with its colorful boats moored. 

6. Crevice of Our Lady of Assumption

This tourist spot in Arraial do Cabo is only accessible via boat trips along the beaches. As the name suggests, it is a crack located in the high seas that houses an image of Our Lady.

Carved from walnut wood, it would have been found in the Arraial Sea in the early 1970s. The original image was taken to a church in Cabo Frio and in its place was a replica, which can be seen from afar from inside the boats. .

During the boat trip, the boat usually passes on both sides of the crack, so the entire crew can take good photos of the place. It’s a simple tourist spot. I wouldn’t take a boat just to see it, but it’s already included in the package of the best sights in Arraial do Cabo, so it’s okay.

7. Blue Grotto

This is one of the tourist attractions in Arraial do Cabo that can also only be seen from afar inside the boat. In the past, it was possible to take a smaller boat and sail inside the cave, but today, this is no longer allowed, except among researchers.

Despite the name, the waters were not that blue due to the huge shadow that the rock formation itself casts. But it’s interesting to see it up close, including the huge hole a falling meteorite caused.

This geographic accident would have been caused by a small piece of an extraterrestrial body the size of a tennis ball, which had a forceful entry into the atmosphere! During this area of ​​the boat trip, we saw several sea turtles juggling (with better luck, there are those who see dolphins! Not this time…)

8. Cova Square

If you’re looking for things to do in Arraial do Cabo at night, the place to be is at Cova Square. This is where you will get some of the best restaurants, bars and kiosks. There is also a taxi and bus stop here.

The little square itself is not pretty, but it becomes attractive as it adds fuel to Arraial do Cabo’s nightlife. On weekends, it has a stage that hosts musical performances for tourists.

The highlight is an exotic drinks kiosk right in the middle of it and also the small crafts fair. A great starting point to enjoy the night in Arraial do Cabo.

9. Our Lady of Remedies Church

This church is cute! It is located right in the heart of Arraial do Cabo, at Praia dos Anjos. Well preserved, the church is simply over 500 years old and for this reason, it is one of the interesting places to visit in Arraial do Cabo.

It was here that the first mass was celebrated in Brazil at a time when it was still made of wattle and daub, a type of construction also called rammed earth, whose characteristics are bamboo beams filled with pressed clay.

The religious space has a busy schedule. There are always celebrations and it is open to visitors. At night, it is well lit and makes everything even more picturesque. It’s worth enjoying!

10. Martiniano Teixeira Square

Last on this list of top attractions in Arraial do Cabo is Martiniano Teixeira Square. This little square is not on most tourist routes in the city. But I included it simply because it is a great space for anyone traveling to Arraial do Cabo with children. I passed by it a few times and, despite being small, it is a really cool environment for playing.

There are parks, courts, and space for the kids to burn off energy. It is close to Grande Beach and who knows, you might fit it between one tourist attraction and another.