The avid footy fans here at Cruise118.com are starting to get excited about the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, which is due to kick off next Thursday in Sao Paulo. Many of the games at this year’s tournament – including the World Cup Final – will take place in the great and vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro on Brazil’s Atlantic coastline at the impressive Estádio do Maracanã. Rio de Janeiro is one of our favourite South American cruise destinations, so in honour of this long-awaited upcoming event in the city, we will take a look at some of the sights and sounds that travelling fans will enjoy in Rio when they are not watching the football.
The Beaches
Rio de Janeiro is perhaps most famous for its collection of stunning beaches, which stretch for miles along a scenic coastline. The vast majority of Rio’s beaches are wide and immaculate, with soft white sand meeting sparkling ocean waters – perfect for relaxing in the sun or enjoying a refreshing swim. Due to the droves of tourist who arrive on the beaches every year, they are often very well equipped with nearby amenities, including bars, cafes, free showers, lifeguard stations and toilet facilities as well as windbreakers and chairs for rent.
Some of Rio’s most well-known beaches include the world-famous Copacabana beach and the equally significant Ipanema beach, both of which regularly welcome thousands upon thousands of visitors. The city has a lively beach culture and the main beaches are often filled with friendly travellers hoping to experience this beach lifestyle for themselves.
Christ the Redeemer
As one of Brazil’s most iconic monuments, Christ the Redeemer attracts travellers from across the world, drawn by the imposing statues intriguing origins as well as the breathtaking views on offer there. Sitting atop Corcovado Mountain in Tijuca Forest National Park, Christ the Redeemer overlooks the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro with open arms and has been a symbol of the city since construction on the monument was completed and it was unveiled on 12th October 1931.
Renovation to the monument and the surrounding area has taken place several times since its construction, including the installation of a set of walkways, escalators and elevators in 2003, helping more and more people reach the landmark without too much difficulty.
Sugarloaf Mountain
A trip to the world-famous and inspiring Sugarloaf Mountain is an essential part of a stay in Rio de Janeiro, but only for those with a head for heights! In order to reach the mountain’s summit, visitors must take two glass-walled cable cars to the top. The first ascends from ground level to the top of Morro da Urca, which stands at a height of 220 metres, while the second one travels further up the mountain to the peak. The area is very popular with rock climbers and visitors can watch these fearless daredevils as they clamber to the top of a sheer cliff face.
Interestingly, the name Sugarloaf Mountain was coined by the Portuguese during the 16th century – a high point for the sugar cane trade – as it bore resemblance to the shape of a traditional sugar loaf mould. The name stuck and has been the mountain’s official title ever since.
Arpoador
Located in the southern zone of Rio de Janeiro, between Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches, is the gorgeous Arpoador peninsula, one of the region’s most naturally beautiful areas. Although the area can often become quite busy, this is simply testament to its wide-ranging appeal. It is also the best place to see breathtaking sunsets, especially in midsummer, when crowds gather to watch the sun slip below the horizon – an event often greeted with cheers.
Arpoador is particularly popular amongst surfers and hikers, as the coastal scenery there is unrivalled. The break of the waves is often described as perfect, whilst several public paths make the area easy to explore on foot.
Set Sail for Rio!
Whether or not you care about the football, Rio de Janeiro is a beautiful and inspiring destination. To book your next cruise to the city, simply call 0808 1234 118 and speak to our Cruise Concierge team, who will talk you through everything that is currently available.
Image Credits:
Paul Mannix – wikipedia.org
Anna Carol – wikimedia.org
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