21 Best Beaches in Rio de Janeiro

Let anyone who never wanted to visit the best beaches in Rio de Janeiro cast the first stone. The city of Rio is one of the most sought-after for its tourist attractions and wonderful beaches that attract tourists all year round, as the climate is always favorable.

The view of the green hills around the beaches makes the beauty of the region unique. Some of the tips I will give are in the capital itself, others around the city of Rio, and in the state’s interior, such as Arraial do Cabo. But it’s well worth taking the road to explore.

The beaches on the west side are very clean and well-maintained, and the beaches on the south side are considered the busiest and always full. In other words, it is a region for all personalities and tastes: those who want to surf, those traveling with family and children, among other traveler profiles.

Do you want peace, calm beaches, and blue waters? This city has it all! Do you want excitement, a busy beach, a landscape, and clean waters? You’ll find them all here. Come with me now and as we explore the best beaches in Rio de Janeiro.

What is the Best Beach in Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro’s beaches are approximately 72 km long, with different types, colors, landscapes, calm and wild waters. Whether within the city or a little further away, you need to know at least one of them.

It’s a good idea to reserve at least two days to stay on the beach you choose. This way, you can make the most of all the activities, and trails, and relax in peace. Due to the distance, some other beaches are better to make that day trip, as an extra bonus.

What are the Calmest Beaches in Rio de Janeiro?

1. Forno Beach, Arraial do Cabo

Praia do Forno is in Arraial do Cabo, a city known as the Brazilian Caribbean, located in the Lagos region. 165 km from Rio de Janeiro, it is a region so beautiful that your eyes start to shine.

To get there, you need to cross the famous Rio-Niterói bridge and access BR 101 until you reach Via Lagos, which is RJ-124. After some tolls, you will arrive at one of Rio’s paradises. Or you can choose to go by bus, leaving from the Novo Rio bus station.

To get to this paradise, you must take a steep 540-meter trail, starting at the end of Praia dos Anjos. If you go after rain, the trail can be slippery, and the best option is to take a boat from Praia dos Anjos to get there safely (cost R$10).

On this beach, the sand is so white it shines, the sea is so blue it blinds the eye, and the green hills around it complete what is one of Rio’s postcards.

The place offers facilities with some simple bathrooms, restaurants with chair and umbrella rentals, snorkel and kayak rentals, and even a floating bar.

Ah, but to be honest, it’s difficult not to mention all the beaches in Arraial do Cabo as the most beautiful beaches in Rio de Janeiro. Praia do Farol, for example, is fantastic, and the beaches of Pontal do Atalaia are incredibly beautiful.

2. Farol Beach, Arraial do Cabo

Praia do Farol in Arraial do Cabo has sometimes been considered the 2nd most beautiful beach in Brazil. I visited it on a cloudy day, and yet its waters were blue and calm.

The place is very popular and preserved, as it is in an area that belongs to the Brazilian Navy. For this reason, it is only possible for around 250 people to visit at a time and only by authorized boats (pay attention when hiring: some boats only pass along the beach; they cannot dock or get off). 

Its name comes from the lighthouses located in its territory (2 in total) that are not accessible to ordinary visitors.

For us tourists, only an area of ​​1km is allocated. Therefore, it is not difficult to have a lot of people on the sands, especially in high season when there is a congestion of boats waiting their turn to disembark their crew.

Your stay at Praia do Farol can only last 40 minutes (this is the maximum time that each boat can be moored).

I don’t recommend that you rent a snorkel or stand-up, as it takes so little time that you won’t be able to enjoy the sea bath itself and the view of the place. If it’s your first time at the beach, enjoy these little pleasures!

3. Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia

This is by far one of my favorite beaches in RJ in Arraial do Cabo! In addition to being considered as the third most beautiful beaches in Brazil, they are more accessible (than Farol, for example) and have no controlled length of stay.

I write it in the plural because, in fact, at low tide, there are two beaches. But, at high tide, everything becomes one! These beaches are famous because of the staircase that many people see on social media.

You can arrive at Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia by boat (hence, you will have limited time because the boats have their own itinerary) or by car (own, rented, Uber, or taxi). Oh, but there is a limit of 300 parked cars.

Once in this paradise, take advantage of the stairs to take photos and then enjoy the white sands and blue sea.

Here, it is worth renting a stand-up paddle or snorkel, as you can stay on this beach all day if you want (although renting the equipment takes time, of course!).

Ah, a certain structure with stalls selling food and drinks. Smart tip: arrive early because the beach gets crowded!

Busiest Beaches in Rio de Janeiro

4. Praia Grande, Arraial do Cabo

If you don’t like rough seas, you can skip this one, which is one of Rio de Janeiro’s best beaches. The fact is that it is the right destination for surfers and people who want to practice sports that require waves and winds!

But, there is an advantage to this: Praia Grande has a beautiful sunset! That’s why I included it on this list!

If you want to enjoy the beauty of the sea and also watch the late afternoon spectacle, this is the right place! In the surrounding area, you can also enjoy the nightlife of Arraial do Cabo, a perfect stop to end your day in RJ!

5. Praia dos Anjos, Arraial do Cabo

This is an urban beach in Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro. I included it in this post about the best beaches in Rio de Janeiro, as the aerial view of it is very beautiful.

To get the best view, you must take the trail to Praia do Forno. Before halfway through, you will already see Praia dos Anjos from above.

In the late afternoon, the scenery is also beautiful, as dozens of local fishermen’s boats are moored in the port, so the surrounding area is very lively with bars, shops, etc.

6. Secreto Beach

This beach used to be more secret. It was discovered by travelers and is no longer so secret, but it remains a good indication of a hidden place with an incredible vibe and landscape that is worth seeing.

However, be careful. The descent is slippery and steep. With children, it is more challenging.

Located in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, a neighborhood in the west of Rio, this beach does not have a strip of sand; it is a natural pool amidst the rocks. It was discovered just over two years ago by residents and is located between Praia do Recreio and Prainha.

To have a relaxing day in a natural pool, you need to check the tide conditions, which must be low, as this will actually turn into a pool.

Otherwise, the water becomes choppy and cloudy, with lots of waves hitting the rocks. Another tip is that this place is ideal for watching the sunrise or sunset.

7. Grumari Beach

This beach is further away from the center, about 50 km. It is located in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro. As it is more isolated, its nature is very preserved, and the transparent waters are clean, in shades of blue and green, depending on the climate.

It has a good stretch of shallow water that is very calm for swimming, but there are high-tide days that are suitable for surfers to catch bigger waves. So, for those with children, it is not always a calm sea. It is also possible to have fun on SUP and Bodyboard.

Local kiosks offer both snacks, full meals, and all types of drinks. It’s a good idea to arrive early as parking is limited. If it is full, the city hall guards will not let anyone else enter.

Otherwise, enjoy that typical Rio landscape, with green hills that grace the seafront and relax. Definitely one of the best beaches in Rio de Janeiro.

8. Praia do Pero, Cabo Frio

Praia do Peró in Cabo Frio is only seven kilometers away from Praia do Forte. It is a peaceful place with a clear, clean blue sea (the beach has a water and sand quality certificate, achieved in 2018) that runs along a large expanse of white sand, with small dunes around it, which blend with the green forest of the hills.

A few summer houses were built in one part of the region; the rest are hills, sand, sea, and well-structured tents to serve visitors.

A large parking lot guarantees safety for everyone. For those with disabilities, the access ramp guarantees accessibility.

It is common to see people surfing, fishing, and descending the dunes with a wooden board in a type of sand surfing called sandboarding. In fact, it is one of the best Rio de Janeiro beaches.

9. Joatinga Beach

Located in the Joá neighborhood, between Barra da Tijuca and São Conrado, this hidden beach offers a wonderful paradisiacal setting. Access is only by entering a condominium on Joatinga Road, and you must inform the doorman that you are going to the beach. 

To enjoy it, you need to pay attention to the tide. If it is high, access is impossible, as there is no strip of sand; it only appears at low tide. All around, walls of grandiose rocks and hills make for incredible views, where you can climb the viewpoints to take that photo from above.

The waters are clear and transparent, a light green enchants anyone. To get there, you will face a steep trail, but nothing that a child can’t do.

Many people take their children to enjoy a natural pool that forms on the beach. Because it has Caribbean water and is a somewhat secret place with little access, people look for a quieter day away from the hustle and bustle.

As it is very private and has a small area, everyone takes their own tent, umbrella, chair, and food.

10. Praia do Perigoso

To access this beach, you need to get to Barra de Guaratiba, a neighborhood west of Rio de Janeiro. It is considered a wild beach, as it is untouched by humans and remains preserved, with no structures around it. For this reason, it is considered one of the best beaches in Rio for nature lovers.

So much so that to get there, you will need a lot of energy and spend a little sweat and breath to face the trail of around 40 minutes. But you can also go by boat, departing from Praia do Canto.

As it is an environmental preservation area, there are no stalls or street vendors. Take everything you will need to spend a day (protector, sunglasses, snacks, water, and so on). And don’t forget the trash bags to keep things clean and preserved.

This beach is close to Praia da Tartaruga, where you can rappel on rocks 100 meters high. It is also close to the beaches of Búzios, using the same trail you can get there. 

 11. Itacoatiara Beach

This incredible beach in Niterói is surrounded by Serra da Tiririca, which is very lively and hosts various sports, such as bodyboarding. It is very popular with surfers but with fewer people and more peaceful to have a peaceful day next to magnificent mountains by the sea.

The feeling is of being outside the modernity of a big city. There are no buildings around, just vegetation, rocks, sea, sand, a few houses in the middle of the landscape, and some tents.

Oh! They say the natural mate sandwich they sell on the beach is surreal. In 2016, the TripAdvisor website rated this beach as the twelfth best in Brazil.

What are the Best Beaches for Swimming in Rio de Janeiro?

12. Praia do Sono, Paraty

You can already understand the name of Praia do Sono, less popular and much more peaceful and quiet. It is located in the city of Paraty, 260 km from Rio, reaching the border with the state of São Paulo, close to the city of Trindade.

The beach has a good structure for you to spend a few days in peace. You can choose to stay in one of the chalets or, if you are more adventurous, camping is a great option. The campsites are well structured, with bathrooms, showers, and a shared kitchen.

There are two ways to get to Sono Beach. After parking your car near the Laranjais condominium, you can take a trail lasting about 1 hour, with ups and downs, but very well structured. Or you can take a van inside the condominium to the pier where the little boat leaves that will take you to paradise.

Praia do Sono is full of other beaches with even greener and crystal clear waters. There’s even a waterfall, but you need to have the courage to tackle the trails to these hidden places.

If you want to stay peacefully on Sono Beach, the place has calm waters, beautiful scenery, and full restaurants. For a more lively night, the two bars offer samba, reggae, and forró shows. It is definitely one of the best beaches in Rio de Janeiro for adventure lovers.

 13. Praia do Forte, Cabo Frio

Praia do Forte is in the city of Cabo Frio, 152 km from Rio de Janeiro. It is seven kilometers long with white sand and crystal clear waters. In addition, it is one of the beaches in Rio de Janeiro that receives the most tourists and residents in the region.

In summer and holidays, the beach is usually crowded, but for those who don’t mind, it’s the best time, as the sun shines all the time. You can walk along the coast and visit the restaurants, bars, and shops selling souvenirs and local products.

Another incredible tour is to spend an afternoon at the viewpoint of Forte de São Mateus, which is open from Tuesday to Sunday. You will also discover the production of local artists, the beautiful structure of the cannons, and the stone building built in the 17th century.

There are travelers of all types there, those who surf and international sailors who have rated the place as one of the best for the sport. There are those who like kayaking and those who prefer to take a stand-up paddleboard and explore the beauty of this blue sea.

There are kiosks, a craft fair, bars with night shows, and a delicious crystal-clear beach with white sand. Landscape with a mix of stones, greenery, and hills.

14. Búzios Beach

Foreign travelers are passionate about the beaches of Búzios. I say in the plural because there are around 20 beaches to visit within this city of Rio. 

Búzios has eight kilometers of beautiful beaches, and a fascinating peninsula. The setting is truly paradisiacal; people often take advantage of the place to practice hang gliding, yachting, surfing, and many other water sports. The beaches are also perfect for diving, snorkeling, and seeing marine life.

Some of the beaches in Búzios are Praia de Geribá, Praia da Ferradura, Praia de João Fernandes, Praia Azeda, Praia Brava, Olho de Boi, Praia da Tartaruga, among others. Each one has its own particularity and exuberant nature look.

The nightlife in Búzios is unique and very creative in its nightlife. You will certainly find different and very lively attractions with incredible energy.

15. Reserva Beach

Protected by a large nature reserve, Praia da Reserva is rarely visited due to difficult transport access, and for those traveling by car, there are few parking spaces. It’s really very private, good for those who need that silence, broken only by the sound of water and birds.

It is located between the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood and Barra da Tijuca. Its strip of large white sand and the mundaréu of very clean, light green water and native vegetation create a beautiful view that is also good for surfing.

There is a small waterfront on site with some kiosks to serve you. Want a day to escape the hustle and bustle? Go there. 

 What are the Famous Beaches in Rio de Janeiro?

16. Barra da Tijuca Beach

Barra da Tijuca beach is always crowded and famous in soap operas and films. It is located on Avenida Lúcio Costa, has an extensive waterfront with a promenade for walking and cycling, and offers around 50 kiosks with a wide range of services. 

Around the beach, the structures of buildings, shopping malls, and condominiums blend into the natural landscape. It’s beautiful to see nature, vegetation on the hills, sun, tents, coconut water, and the sea in the midst of modernity.

It is a beach with rougher seas, with lots of waves. However, it is wonderful to take a cold shower and jump in the middle of the waves. It is also suitable for having fun with sports, such as kitesurfing.

The Pepê kiosk is a place for people to have a cold one, chat, and enjoy music and dance. It is also at Praia da Barra that many groups leave to go on trails, such as the visit to Pedra da Gávea. This is one of the most famous postcards of Rio de Janeiro.

17. Macumba Beach: One of Rio de Janeiro’s Best Beaches

This beach is located in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, which is on Praia do Pontal de Sernambetiba, extending to the Sernambetiba Channel. The name macumba came from the population who saw Candomblé and Umbanda followers making offerings to Iemanjá and Orixás at sea.

The place looks like a small country town, calm and peaceful, with a well-planned waterfront. Green hills beautify the beach all around, which is home to waters that mix blue and green.

The beach is busy, with lots of waves, and, therefore, attracts many surfers. You can take a helicopter tour in Rio de Janeiro to appreciate all this beauty from above.

However, if you stay close to Pontal (a giant rock in the middle of the sea), it is calmer, with fewer waves. On weekends, it gets busier. And when the tide is low, it is very common for travelers to climb the stone trail and see another angle of beauty from the heights.

The beach has some kiosks where you can enjoy the view while drinking coconut water or enjoying a snack. To have a more complete meal, you must head to the Recreio neighborhood’s beaches.

18. Copacabana Beach

Ah, Copacabana! Anyone who goes to Rio de Janeiro and doesn’t stroll along the sands of this beach hasn’t yet taken advantage of the city’s most emblematic tourist spot. The cold seawater kills Rio’s heat, and the green waters compete with the green of the surrounding hills.

The long strip of sand often doesn’t accommodate so many people, a place for lively people who like to play in the sand, play sports, and sunbathe. Next door, many kiosks serve visitors, and the stone promenade is home to cyclists and those who want to go jogging. For this reason, Copacabana Beach is always ranked high on any list of best beaches in Rio de Janeiro.

It is on this beach that the Copacabana Fort and the famous statue of Carlos Drummond de Andrade are located. To get there directly from the airport, if you are staying in the region, there is an executive bus leaving from the airport. An Uber is also worth it if you are sharing with more people. 

It is worth noting to be extra careful with theft, as the beach is always crowded, making this type of action easier. At certain times, the beach becomes dirtier, usually when there are a lot of people, such as during holidays and parties.

Unfortunately, people are still not aware that a clean beach depends on themselves. Take trash bags, have fun, and help contribute to the environment. Along the coastline, you will find different restaurants, pubs, bars, and food trucks.

19. Ipanema Beach

Another beach very popular with celebrities in the capital is Ipanema Beach, where there is always a celebrity enjoying the summer and making the news. And, of course, this beach was a source of inspiration for the Brazilian song known throughout the world: Girl from Ipanema.

It is close to one of Rio’s most beautiful postcards, Arpoador, and also close to Leblon Beach, where upper-middle-class people live.

You can see the beautiful Morro Dois Irmãos, where the sun sets in the summer and forms an incredible landscape in the late afternoon. The clear green sea, with waves, makes the place very pleasant.

There are several kiosks where you can eat that snack with a good drink to top it off. If you want to take a walk around the area, there is an option to rent a bike. 

Take a stroll to see the squares, theaters, hippie fairs, and artists showing their crafts and music and mingle in the joy of the people of Rio.

20. Flamengo Beach: One of Rio’s Most Popular Beaches

Still in the south of Rio de Janeiro, we find Praia do Flamengo, which is not suitable for swimming, as it is in the process of being cleaned up. But the incredible view of Pão de Açúcar and Marina da Glória is worth it.

Other activities also attract travelers, such as hiking, cycling, and rollerblading in a very relaxed way. On weekends, the lanes are closed to cars.

Aterro do Flamengo is a leisure and sports complex built on top of landfills and is a sure attraction for visitors. You can play football, volleyball, and racquetball.

Also, it is an ideal place to sit under the palm trees and relax in the late afternoon. And for those who like history, two museums delight those who love them.

21. Recreio Beach

It’s a very family-friendly area, where there are all kinds of sports schools, such as surfing, volleyball and functional training. The coastline is very long and very beautiful for a walk. The cycle path is well structured for an adventurous cycle. 

The beach extends from post 9 to post 12. It is in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood, a continuation of Barra da Tijuca. The place is often the setting for Record and Globo soap operas. Parks and ecological reserves are lined along the entire coastline and blend in with the upper-middle-class urbanized area.

The sea is open, with very cold water, but a charming light blue and very clean. The sand is also very clean, fine, and white, suitable for playing racquetball and volleyball.

To eat and drink, you have the option of kiosks on the promenade, restaurants, and bars on the waterfront, and vendors passing by on the sand, offering shrimp skewers and even lemon caipirinha.

At the kiosks, snacks such as seafood pastries, accompanied by cold beer, are popular.

Best Beaches in Rio de Janeiro

To choose which of Rio de Janeiro’s beaches to visit, write down on paper the number of days you have available, the amount saved for your time off, and your personal taste.

Is it rough seas or a busy place that you prefer? We have it on the list. Is it a calm sea and a peaceful place that you want? We have it on the list too. Is it close to the capital of Rio or somewhere further away? We also have.

Each with its own characteristics, Rio continues and will always be beautiful. No matter the season, it is always wonderful to visit the most beautiful and best beaches of Rio de Janeiro.