If both of the options above sound like too much, then one of my favourite things to do on a Sunday morning in Rio is to go for an early morning walk around the Lagoa or Ipanema sidewalk. On Sundays, the road is closed to cars and open to the public to walk, ride their bikes and skateboard!
Most of your last day should be spent enjoying the ocean by the beach. This is literally one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro, as the beaches there are Caribbean-like, and the vibe is just on-point. The urban beaches in Zona Sul are amazing and easy to get to, so either head back to Ipanema/Copacabana or, if you feel like adding another beach to your list, Praia Vermelha or Praia do Leme.Â
If you fancy heading a bit further out, then heading to Praia da Barra da Tijuca is a great option for you to spend your last day. Barra is about an hour’s car ride from Copacabana/Ipanema area. This beach is popular amongst surfers, kites and windsurfers. Praia da Barra stretches for 6km, one of the cleanest beaches in Rio. Like the Postos, in Ipanema, Kiosks are points of reference at the beach. Kiosk 8 is a popular point and a good area to base yourselves for the day.
If surfing is your thing, then I’d recommend heading a little bit further up the coast from Barra to Prainha. This is the point of surfing, and several surf schools rent surfboards and offer lessons. The beach is also stunning and much quieter than other beaches, so not only for surfers!
As you can see, all you’ve got to do on your last day is take your pick of what beach you want to go to, and that’s you for the day.
The only other thing to leave time for is to take the cable car to Pão de Açucar (Sugar Loaf Mountain). Sugarloaf Mountain is an iconic symbol of Rio and cannot be left ou this Rio de Janeiro travel guide! Tickets cost R$ 150, and the last entry is at 6:30 pm in the summer months, you can purchase tickets directly via their website here. As there are usually queues, arrive circa 45mins before the last entry to ensure you can get on!
And there you have it! A full-on 3-day itinerary in Rio de Janeiro. From hiking in the early morning to paragliding and sunset walks along the beach, it’s a city that has tonnes to offer and is the perfect destination for a weekend away (and a longer trip!).
