# CORCOVADO with CRISTO REDENTOR STATUE 9 
Rising over Tijuca National Park and meaning "hunchback" in Portuguese, Corcovado Mountain owes its worldwide renown to the 38-meter (125 ft) iconic open-armed statue of Jesus called “Cristo Redentor”, which was completed in 1931.
Take the historic cog railway to a station just below the summit of this 710-meter (2,329 ft) granite peak to enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the city.
Peak World Heritage Site: since 2012, 710 m, cog railway
by Mariordo / CC BY-SA 3.0
# PAO DE ACUCAR (SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN) 8 
Reach the summit of this most recognizable 396m-high (1,299 ft) egg-shaped granite block by a glass-walled cable car to soak up a spectacular panorama over the entire city.
The rocky peak towering above Guanabara Bay is named Sugarloaf Mountain after the characteristic shape of its outline, resembling conical molds of clay, which were used to transport blocks of sugar during the 16th century.
Viewpoint World Heritage Site: since 2012, Total Height: 396 m | Cable Car
by Halley Pacheco de Oliveira / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Theatro Municipal 6 
Home of Rio's opera, orchestra, and ballet the magnificent Theatro Municipal was inaugurated in 1909 as the most expensive theater ever built outside of Europe.
Its eclectic and Art Nouveau style (the interior of the theater is as luxurious as the façade) is remarkably inspired by Paris' Opera Garnier.
by Guilherme Lobo / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Copacabana and Ipanema Beach 6
Rio de Janeiro's two world-famous wide sandy beaches, Copacabana (4 km, 2.5 miles) and the slightly less crowded Ipanema Beach (3.2 km, 2 miles) are lined with shops, bars, restaurants, and hotels. These lively beaches are separated by surfer-favored Arpoador beach.
City Beaches Water Temperature: All year 21-26° C
by chensiyuan / CC BY-SA 2.0
# Igreja da Ordem Terceira de São Francisco 6
The 18th-century Third Order of the Church of São Francisco with its exuberant gilded wood decor is considered one of the jewels of baroque architecture in Brazil.
by Filipo Tardim / CC BY-SA 4.0
# Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow) 6
Designed by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, this spectacular science museum at the port of Rio de Janeiro is dedicated to research and science on future topics such as climate change, environmental protection, and social challenges.
Science Museum | Modern Architecture Completed: 2015 | Architect: Santiago Calatrava | Total Cost: €230 million
by Mariordo / CC BY-SA 4.0
# Jardim Botânico 6
Originally created in 1808 by Portuguese King Dom João VI, Rio's spectacular botanical gardens feature a collection of over 6,500 plants.
Highlights include a 720-meter (800-yard) double row of 134 soaring royal palms, a lake with massive water lilies, a greenhouse with six hundred species of orchids, and many free-roaming animals (including monkeys, birds, and butterflies).
Botanical Garden Land Area: 141 hectares, 348 acres | Opened: 1808
by Sporka / CC BY-SA 2.0
# Centro 5.5 
Rio's historic downtown with its imposing colonial buildings as well as modern skyscrapers represents the financial heart of the city.
by Rodrigo Soldon / CC BY-SA 2.0
Escadaria Selarón (Selarón Steps) 5.5
Admire the colors and shapes of broken glass and ceramics of these world-famous steps stretched over 125 m (410 ft). The Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón began working on the 215 steps and its over 2,000 tiles in 1990.
by Marshallhenrie / CC BY-SA 4.0
# Real Gabinete Português da Leitura (Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading) 5.5
Established in 1837, this spectacular library is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
by Mayumi Ishikawa / CC BY-SA 2.0
