Best Weekend and Day Trips from Rio de Janeiro
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Over the past few years, I’ve fallen in love with Rio de Janeiro. From its samba nights to mind-blowing viewpoints and dreamy beaches, it’s hard not to. And one of the benefits of returning to Rio again and again like I have, is that I’ve gotten to explore beyond the city — and let me tell you, the state of Rio has some seriously amazing spots.
Whether you’re craving charming historic towns, tropical islands, or mountain getaways, you can find it all — and they’re all an easy weekend or day trip from Rio de Janeiro.
So if you’re looking for an escape from the big city or you just want to go beyond the typical tourist spots, here are my favorite day trips and weekend getaways from Rio de Janeiro — all easy to reach, budget-friendly, and full of culture, nature, and local charm.
Niterói (1 hour away)
Niterói is Rio de Janeiro’s often overlooked neighboring city. If Rio is feeling really giant and overwhelming, then you’ll probably enjoy Niterói — it’s smaller, while still having more than enough to do to fill a day trip.
The perfect day trip here consists of checking out the contemporary art museum (apart from its actual exhibits, its architecture makes it a must-visit, as well as its ocean view), relaxing at Praia de Itacoatiara, a gorgeous beach that doesn’t have any of the crowds of Copacabana and Ipanema, and then taking an easy hike up to a viewpoint in Parque da Cidade in time for sunset.
This spot overlooks the ocean and is a seriously incredible view — including the ocean, mountains, and Rio itself.
Niterói is definitely an area I want to spend more time in — it’s also super easy to visit, making it a no-brainer if you’re looking for a simple getaway out of the city.
Rio de Janeiro’s a huge city — but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
I’ve been to Rio multiple times, and now I’m sharing my curated picks with you. Fill out your info below and your free map will be sent straight to your inbox, complete with all my favorite restaurants, bars, beaches, and more, based on years of traveling to Rio.
🌉Best for
Architecture and view lovers. Just across the bay from Rio, Niterói is known for Oscar Niemeyer’s futuristic museum, scenic beaches, and stunning skyline views of Rio from Parque da Cidade — all easily doable in a day.
How to get there
Cross the Rio–Niterói Bridge by car, bus, or Uber (around 30 minutes to an hour depending on traffic), or take the ferry from Praça XV for a scenic route.
Paqueta Island (1 hour away)
This is the best day trip from Rio de Janeiro for anyone looking for a super easy and relaxing getaway — and I mean, actually just relaxing. This tiny island is car-free, and there’s really nothing to do besides hang out at the beach and walk around — but that’s honestly its charm.
It’s super cute, and there are a couple of different trails and viewpoints you can check out, in true Rio fashion. But honestly, it’s just really chill and casual.
Paqueta Island is quiet and scenic, and a total change of pace from the big city. Attempting to navigate around the town on a janky electric cart is a memory that still makes me laugh, and the giant boulders in the beach make for one-of-a-kind landscapes.
🚲 Best For
Laid-back travelers looking for a quiet, affordable day trip filled with local charm, seaside bike rides, and tranquility.
How to get there
You take an hour-long ferry ride from Downtown Rio — super easy, and it just costs a couple of dollars.
Prainha (1 hour away)
This beach is technically still in the state of Rio de Janeiro, but it’s all the way on the western side, at least an hour away from Downtown by car, making it the perfect day trip, especially if you want to beach hop to some of the neighboring areas.
If you ask me, this is the absolute prettiest beach in the city of Rio de Janeiro, and most tourists totally overlook it. My husband brought me here on my birthday a few years ago, and I think I look back at the pictures of it almost every day. (I mean, look at that!)
🏄♀️ Best For
Surfers and beach lovers looking for a wild, unspoiled beach escape without leaving Rio’s city limits.
How to get there
The Metro runs to Barra da Tijuca, the region of Rio where Prainha is. However, from there, you’ll have to drive or Uber, since no public transportation goes out this far. If you end up driving yourself, plan to get there early, as the parking area is small and spots can fill up quickly.
Ilha Grande (2-4 hours away)
I spent around three days here during my honeymoon, and I’m still not over this island.
I’ve never been surrounded by so many out-of-this world beaches before — from the world-famous Lopes Mendes, to gorgeous secluded spots that you literally just stumble upon when walking around the island.
If you love hiking, the beach, and being a bit off-grid, Ilha Grande is a must. That’s really all there is to do here, though. There’s just one main town where you’ll find some restaurants and shops, and that’s it.
And don’t listen to anyone saying this is a day trip from Rio — it takes two to four hours to get here from Rio de Janeiro, which is just crazy for one day, and there’s just so much to see. Give yourself two full days AT MINIMUM, but three or more would be even better, especially since it rains a lot more here than on the mainland.
🏝Best For
Nature lovers and adventurers craving a tropical island escape. Perfect for hiking, swimming, and disconnecting in a car-free paradise surrounded by rainforest and pristine beaches.
How to get there
Ferries to Ilha Grande leave from three different cities: Conceição de Jacareí, Mangaratiba, or Angra dos Reis. You can get to each from Rio by bus, or driving. Mangaratiba is the option that’s closest to Rio — from there, it will be around an hour-and-a-half by boat to reach the island.
Where to stay
I stayed at two different spots, both quaint, budget-friendly, and well-located in Abraão, the main (and only) town on Ilha Grande.
Pousada Albatroz was a little away from the main road, offering private cabins that felt super secluded in nature, with a delicious breakfast included.
If you want to be right on the beach, then you’ll love Pousada e Restaurante O Pescador. We had a balcony overlooking the ocean, and the made-to-order breakfast included with our room was 10/10.
Paraty (4 hours away)
I also spent a couple days here during my honeymoon, and I can’t believe how underrated this city is.
This gorgeous colonial-style town transports you back to the 1600s with its giant cobblestones and whitewashed buildings with colorful detailing.
It’s a World Heritage Site as well as an UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, so you just know there’s a ton of culture, history, and amazing food here. If you’re interested in learning more about cachaça, a Brazilian spirit that’s similar to rum, Paraty is really known for that as well, and you can visit distilleries.
Plus, did I mention there’s incredible nature here too? From gorgeous waterfalls to beautiful beaches, Paraty is seriously such a dream.
If you can, give yourself three days since there’s a lot to do in Paraty, but you can cover plenty of ground in two days too.
🎨 Best for
Culture seekers and romantics. With its cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, art galleries, and boat-filled bays, Paraty is all about history, nature, and coastal charm — perfect for slow travel and culture-focused weekends.
How to get there
I cover getting to Paraty more in this guide, but basically, you could consider renting a car and driving from Rio. It’s a really beautiful drive that takes four hours or so. The area is all known as the Green Coast, so as you can imagine, the scenery has a lot of forests and you’ll stumble upon some super gorgeous beaches. I would love to take a slower-paced road trip here one day and stop at all the different beaches!
Alternatively, you can take a bus from the main station in Rio, or even book a shared shuttle if you have a bit more room in your budget.
Where to stay
I’ve got some options for you in this Paraty guide (which also has more details about how to visit and other travel logistics).
But I stayed at Pousada Doce Paraty, which was recommended to us by a friend, and is a cute, very budget-friendly option. We were right in the historic center, which was super convenient, and our stay included breakfast. There’s also a pool!
Lakes Region: Arraial do Cabo, Cabo Frio & Búzios (2-3 hours away)
Because the state of Rio has an endless amount of beach regions, I’ve got another amazing beach destination for you. The Lakes Region, which encompasses the area two to three hours east of Rio de Janeiro, is another jaw-dropper.
I spent a few days here on one of my trips to Rio a few years ago, but I didn’t have great weather when I went, so I guess I have no choice but to go back! But I’m still dreaming about the sunset at Praia Tartaruga in Búzios.
The three main areas of the Lakes Region are Arraial do Cabo, Cabo Frio, and Búzios.
Each city has a slightly different vibe (I love Búzios the most, it’s just super charming and has a lot of nice shopping and dining), so spend a day in each!
This region is less secluded than Ilha Grande — the beaches don’t feel quite as untouched and remote.
On the flipside, you’ll find more amenities and convenience in this region, with more varied dining options, and even some nightlife. It’s also a popular area for diving if you’re into that!
🌊 Best for
Beach lovers who want variety — from Búzios’ chic coastal charm to Arraial do Cabo’s turquoise waters and Cabo Frio’s laid-back vibe. Ideal for travelers who want easy access, lively towns, and plenty of swimming, boating, and snorkeling without venturing too far from Rio.
How to get there
Either rent a car, or take a bus. Buses are available from Rio de Janeiro to each of the three main beach cities in the Lakes Region. You can also take buses between Arraial do Cabo, Cabo Frio, and Búzios, or just Uber.
Where to stay
I stayed in a house with my in-laws when I visited, so I didn’t get to check out any of the hotels. But for a cozy and upscale accommodation at an affordable price, I’d go with Pousada Dos Búzios.
It’s located right next to the main street in Búzios, a super picturesque cobblestone street with lots of boutique shops and nice restaurants, and is steps away from the water. Plus, it has a 9.0 rating on Booking with several hundred reviews, and breakfast is included!
Petrópolis (2 hours away)
If you’re sick of me suggesting beach places, then this one’s for you. Petrópolis is one place I haven’t been yet, but it’s high on my list, since I’ve heard lots of great things about it. So I still had to do some research about it and share it with you.
It’s located up in the Serra dos Órgãos Mountains, and was originally a retreat for Brazil’s royal family. It’s got history and pretty European-style architecture (you can visit former royal palaces!), plus lots of gorgeous nature, including waterfall hikes through a national park.
🌿 Best For
History and culture lovers, or anyone craving cooler weather and a mountain getaway close to Rio.
How to get there
By car or bus, Petrópolis is about 2 hours from Rio (around 43 miles/70 km). Buses leave frequently from Rio’s Novo Rio bus terminal.
Where to stay
I’ve got my eye on Hotel York when I’m able to finally visit! All the rooms look cute and cozy, perfect for a mountain escape. Ratings look really high across the board, and past guests especially love the location, comfortable rooms, and breakfast.
Exploring Rio de Janeiro
One of the things I love most about Rio de Janeiro is how diverse its surroundings are — you can go from rainforest trails to imperial palaces or island beaches in just a couple of hours.
Whether you spend a lazy day biking around Paquetá Island, surfing at Prainha (or if you’re like me, just lying there), or head to Paraty or Ilha Grande for a longer weekend adventure, each of these trips offers a different side of what makes Rio so magical.
So next time you’re in the city and craving a change of scenery, pick one (or two!) of these getaways — and see just how much more there is to explore beyond Rio’s beaches.
Want to make sure you don’t miss any of the best spots in Rio? I’ve rounded up the best restaurants, bars, museums, and more over the course of my several trips to Rio, and put them all in an easy-to-use — and free — Google Map. Just drop your email below and it’ll be sent right to your inbox!
If you’re ready to plan your Rio getaway, click through the destination guides below to dive into detailed itineraries, budget tips, and my favorite local finds — each one tested on my own adventures!
Head to one of these Rio guides next
- How to Get Around Rio de Janeiro Like a Local
- Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro on a Budget
- Windsor Leme Hotel Review: Perfect for First-Time Rio Visitors
- One Week in Rio de Janeiro Itinerary
- 6 Best Museums to Visit in Rio de Janeiro
- Best Weekend and Day Trips from Rio de Janeiro
- Best Places to Eat in Rio de Janeiro: 25 Top Restaurants & Bars
- 15 Brazilian Foods and Drinks You Have to Try in Rio de Janeiro
- How to Pack for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- How to Get to Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro
- The Ultimate Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide
- Is Rio de Janeiro Safe for Tourists? 10 Tips for Women Travelers
- Three Weeks in Brazil Itinerary
- Is Brazil Expensive to Visit? A Budget Breakdown
- 5 Best Places to Visit in Brazil for Your First Trip
