The Copacabana district is part of Rio de Janeiro and offers, among other things, the world-famous 4km long sandy beach. Its promenade invites you to stroll and linger - enjoy the idyllic flair best with a typical caipirinha in your hand!
One of the world's most famous sandy beaches is in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and is called Copacabana. The famous stretch of beach is about 4 kilometres long and is one of our top 10 most beautiful beaches in Brazil.
Copacabana is used by locals for sunbathing, jogging, sports activities and as a social meeting place. Rio's much-visited coastline is one of our Top 10 Sights of Brazil and Rio de Janeiro.
Table of contents
PICTURES: Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro
Photo gallery: Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro
No Rio holiday without Copacabana!
An afternoon at Copacabana is a must to experience the idyllic and cosy flair typical of the south. Don't miss the pleasure of a typical caipirinha on the promenade while being enchanted by the crashing waves on the sandy beach.
Street cafés, bars and restaurants along the wonderful, fine-grained sandy beach invite you to linger. The prices for local food and drinks along Copacabana are mostly high. International credit cards are accepted by most restaurants.
Tip: Do not take any valuables with you to the beach, as pickpocketing is common. You should not go directly to the beach in the evening because there is no lighting and there have already been attacks on tourists!
Copacabana district
Those who have had enough of sun, sand and sea for the first time can either retreat to one of the numerous bars along the beach promenade or explore the Copacabana district.
This is about 5 square kilometres in size and has the highest population density in the whole city. The population density in this neighbourhood continues to increase as old villas are mostly demolished and replaced by multi-storey apartment blocks.
As everywhere in Rio, special attention should be paid to the promenade paving. Each neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro has its own pattern. Locals recognise the neighbourhood they are in by this "paving code".
Tip for sparing enthusiasts: If you are afraid of the high cost of a menu at the Copacabana, you would be well advised to turn off the promenade. Hidden restaurants in side streets also offer extremely tasty dishes at more acceptable prices.
Sights around Copacabana
Also worth seeing is the Forte de Copacabana right on the beach, one of Rio's three most important fortresses. The comparatively modern fortress dates from the early 20th century and houses the Historical Army Museum of Rio de Janeiro.
From some places on Copacabana beach you can see the cable cars that go up to the Morro da Urca and then to the Sugar Loaf or also to the famous Statue of Christ only on a clear day - both are definitely worth a trip!
