must-visit in Rio de JaneiroSquare & Landmark

Pão de Açúcar

📍 Pão de Açúcar, Urca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

1 photos

4.5/ 5.0

★★★★★

Quick Facts

Location: Brazil, Rio de Janeiro
Category: Square & Landmark
Duration: 2.5-3 hours
Opening Hours: Daily about 08:00-21:45, last ascent roughly 19:40-20:00, year-round
Ticket Price: Adult: Free · Adults about R$140-170 round trip, ages 6-12 about R$70-85, under 6 free
Address: Pão de Açúcar, Urca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Coordinates: -22.9494, -43.1557

Introduction

Sugarloaf Mountain (Pao de Acucar) is one of Rio de Janeiro's defining landmarks, a granite monolith rising from the entrance of Guanabara Bay to 396 metres, named for its sugarloaf shape. The classic way up is the two-stage cable car, the bondinho: from the Praia Vermelha base station in Urca to Morro da Urca at about 220 metres, then a second car to the summit. Each ride takes about three minutes, cars run every 20 minutes, and each cabin holds about 65 people. The second cable stretches roughly 750 metres across empty air over Urca Bay and is the most dramatic stretch of the trip. At the summit, open terraces circle the peak for 360-degree views over the bay, Copacabana and Botafogo beaches and the skyline, with Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado visible on clear days. The summit faces west-southwest, so the sun sets behind the Corcovado ridge and the city lights come up beneath you, Rio's signature viewing moment. Morro da Urca has a cafe, viewpoints and a small stage, plus a short trail included with your ticket; at the foot lie the 1.2 km Pista Claudio Coutinho path and the Mureta da Urca seawall where locals gather.

✨ Highlights

A 750-Metre Cable Over Open Air

The second cable stretches roughly 750 metres across Urca Bay, the most dramatic stretch; about three minutes per ride, cars every 20 minutes.

360 Degrees from 396 Metres

Open terraces circle the summit over Guanabara Bay, Copacabana and Botafogo beaches and the skyline, with Christ the Redeemer visible on clear days.

Sunset and Blue Hour

The summit faces west-southwest, so the sun sets behind the Corcovado ridge before the city lights come up; the top almost never clouds over.

Morro da Urca, the Mid-Station

The first stage ends at about 220 metres, with a cafe, viewpoints and a small stage, plus a short trail included with your ticket.

Free Trail and Seawall Below

At the foot, the 1.2 km Pista Claudio Coutinho path and the Mureta da Urca seawall where locals gather for drinks and sunset.

Open 365 Days a Year

The cable car runs year-round, holidays and Carnival included; evening operation is its biggest advantage, giving day and night views in one trip.

🛈 Practical Info

→Duration：2.5-3 hours; for sunset, work back about 90 minutes from sundown to reach the base station.

→Facilities：Cafes and souvenir shops at both the mid-station and summit, though water is pricey up top; paid parking at the base, about R$30 for up to three hours.

→Best Time：08:00 for the clearest air and fewest people; arrive 90 minutes before sunset for day views, sunset and city lights in one trip.

→Worth it?：Yes. One of the few Rio viewpoints almost never ruined by cloud, the cable car is itself an experience, and it runs into the night. With one evening only, choose this over Christ the Redeemer.

→Watch out：Buy in advance at bondinho.com.br with a time slot; third-party resellers charge 25-40 percent more for the same ticket. Sunset ticket queues can hit 45 minutes, and it is windy on top.

→Opening Hours：Daily about 08:00-21:45, last ascent roughly 19:40-20:00, year-round

→Transportation：Urca, Rio de Janeiro

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Adult	Free

Adults about R$140-170 round trip, ages 6-12 about R$70-85, under 6 free

💡 Tips

• Book a time slot in advance at bondinho.com.br; resellers often charge 25-40 percent more.

• Reach the base about 90 minutes before sunset, then linger at Morro da Urca for the better photos.

• The best angle is not the summit: look north from Morro da Urca as the sun drops behind Christ.

• A short trail at Morro da Urca is included with your ticket, so do not skip it.

• It is windy on top; bring a light jacket even in summer.

• Finish at the Mureta da Urca seawall with a cold beer and the city lights, the local way.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Pão de Açúcar?

Daily about 08:00-21:45, last ascent roughly 19:40-20:00, year-round

How much is the admission for Pão de Açúcar?

Adult: Free; Adults about R$140-170 round trip, ages 6-12 about R$70-85, under 6 free

Any practical tips for visiting Pão de Açúcar?

Book a time slot in advance at bondinho.com.br; resellers often charge 25-40 percent more. Reach the base about 90 minutes before sunset, then linger at Morro da Urca for the better photos.