Strande i Rio de Janeiro

Best Beaches

Rio de Janeiro’s coastline spans from the iconic urban arcs of Copacabana and Ipanema to the wild, preserved sands of Prainha and Grumari. This collection includes world-famous social hubs, specialized surfing spots like Leblon and Arpoador, and the paragliding landing zone at Pepino Beach. While central bays like Botafogo and Urca offer views of Sugarloaf Mountain, the western beaches of Barra da Tijuca and Recreio provide longer stretches of sand away from high-rise shadows.

Rodrigo Soldon / CC BY 2.0

Copacabana Beach

The icon of Rio de Janeiro and one of the best-known beaches in the world.

CC-BY-SA-3.0

Ipanema Beach

Listed as the sexiest beach in the world, it is very atmospheric, lively and a must-visit, no matter whether you're hitting the sea or just…

Junius / Public domain

Leblon Beach

Come explore a wonderful beach that is not as crowded as the more popular ones. The surfing spots here are great and so are the facilities.

anna carol / CC BY 2.0

Arpoador Point

It seems as if this rocky platform was made for watching sunsets and snapping perfect pictures of the sea and the beach.

slasher-fun / CC BY-SA 2.0

Red Beach

Great Sugarloaf view that becomes flushed by red sunsets every day. This beach truly is a tiny piece of paradise.

Mariospassos / CC BY-SA 3.0

Barra da Tijuca Beach

Rio's longest beach stretches for over 18 kilometers along the West Zone. Known for its strong surf and consistent winds, it is a primary hub for kitesurfing and windsurfing. The shoreline is lined with kiosks and a wide cycling path, offering a more modern landscape than the historic South Zone.