Beaches in 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.

Best Beaches — Map

Rodrigo Soldon / CC BY 2.0

A

Copacabana Beach

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

B

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

C

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

D

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

E

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

F

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.

Halley Pacheco de Oliveira / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Urca Beach

A tiny beach unfortunately unfit for swimming because of pollution. You can still walk around in the white sand, though.

Rodrigo Soldon / CC BY 2.0

H

Leme Beach

A lovely beach mostly used by the locals and with several facilities to sustain you through the day.

Rodrigo Soldon / CC BY 2.0

I

Botafogo Beach

This beach is sadly not fit for swimming since the bay is polluted. However, the bay hosts many events, it is a popular gathering place and…

André Sampaio / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Grumari Beach

A beautiful beach which is deserted during the weekdays, so if you're longing for peace and quiet and would prefer a less crowded place…

Haakon S. Krohn / CC BY-SA 3.0

K

São Conrado Beach

The soft, white sand and the rough blue waves complement each other. The sea makes this beach especially popular with surfers.

Fwellisch / CC BY-SA 3.0

L

Recreio dos Bandeirantes Beach

If you're longing for a beach that isn't in the shade of skyscrapers and has a more natural feel to it, search no further.

Eduardo P / CC BY-SA 3.0

M

Pepino Beach

The wide strip of sand used to be a popular beach, but nowadays it's used by surfers and paragliders.

chensiyuan / CC BY-SA 4.0

N

Diabo Beach

Ipanema is a neighbourhood located in the South Zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between Leblon and Arpoador.

O

Abricó Beach

Praia do Abricó is a nude beach located in Grumari, a sub district of Barra da Tijuca neighborhood, in the western part of the city of Rio…

Halley Pacheco de Oliveira / CC BY-SA 3.0

P

Prainha Beach

This small strip of sand is popular with surfers and those who want to escape the busy Rio beaches to enjoy some peace and quiet.

Gaban / Public domain

Q

Recreio dos Bandeirantes

Recreio dos Bandeirantes is both the name of a beach and neighborhood in the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Gaban / Public domain

R

Recreio dos Bandeirantes

Recreio dos Bandeirantes is both the name of a beach and neighborhood in the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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