The granite peak of Sugarloaf Mountain defines the Rio skyline, peeping into many of the postcard shots that show the city’s characteristic curve around Guanabara Bay. The best way to experience it is to ride its gondola – the third in the world to be built when it was established in 1912 – which sails visitors from Urca Hill to its peak at 395 metres, delivering some of Rio’s most impressive views. 

Few landmarks are as recognisable as this 38-metre-tall reinforced concrete figure of Jesus, watching over Rio from his perch on Mount Corcovado. Sheathed in mosaic soapstone, the enormous rendering of the religious figure reaches a grand height of 13 storeys, with a hand-to-hand span of 28 metres. 

Fecund foliage surrounds the 1920s classical mansion at the centre of Parque Lage, a peaceful public space at the foot of Floresta da Tijuca. It’s now the home of Escola de Artes Visuais, an arts school immortalised in pop culture history as a backdrop for the film clip of 2002 hit, Beautiful by Snoop Dogg, Pharrell Williams and Charlie Wilson.

From showgirls named Lola to girls who simply go walking, Rio’s beaches have provided widespread inspiration for songwriters the world over. Copacabana and Ipanema are two of the city’s most famous, thanks to their now karaoke-famous numbers. Outside of their Barry Manilow and Getz/Gilberto contexts, these enormous sand breaks are as popular with locals as they are with songwriters: on hot days, the four-kilometre Copacabana is packed with revellers who spill into (and out of) nearby restaurants, bars and clubs. 

This colourful stairway of patchwork tiles is another of Rio’s emblematic landmarks, with a staggering two million people taking to the steps every year to admire its artistry. The 50 steps, encased in around 2000 vividly-coloured mosaics, scale a portion of the Lapa neighbourhood, an area known for its artistic energy and creative crowds. 

A glorious tangle of tropical rainforest, hidden waterfalls, hundreds of species of wildlife (keep your eyes peeled for monkeys) and hiking trails, Tijuca National Park is a playground for nature lovers. Open from 8am, visitors can partake in activities spanning rock climbing, hang gliding and, for those who prefer to be earth-tethered, walking and picnicking. 

At the heart of the impossibly pretty neighbourhood of Jardim Botânico is its namesake garden, where weeping canopies shade fountains and an orchid house offers 600 species of blooms to admire for botanical enthusiasts. The surrounding streets are worth wandering through, too, where fine dining restaurants, quaint bars and unique boutiques abound.

Rio is fringed by nature, with pockets of Atlantic rainforest scattered all around its edges. The best way to experience it is to pull on some boots and get hiking. There are endless trails to tackle, with some more challenging than others: the popular trail of Pedra Bonita, which delivers an incredible view over the city at its summit, takes only 45 minutes each way, while the route up Pedra da Gavea requires rock climbing prowess. 

Brazil’s samba tradition is a cacophony of quick footwork, lively music and, often, flamboyant outfits. While it culminates in Rio Carnival, a celebration of dance held annually in February in the Sambadrome with 90,000 swaying spectators, samba can be seen (and danced) throughout Rio. At Pedra do Sal, a site considered to be the birthplace of this signature style, Monday nights erupt into evening dance parties, often lasting until the early hours of the morning.  

The canary yellow bondinho, which rattles around the Rio neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, is the only remaining relic of the days when the city was served by a widespread network of electric trams. Only the Santa Teresa track remains, serviced by this brightly-coloured vehicle, which was officially declared a national monument in 1985.

The futuristic Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Amanhã) is dedicated to the fascinating reaches of applied science. Inside the bromeliad-inspired structure, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, visitors can find interactive exhibitions that explore concepts as broad as the cosmos, the earth and anthropocentrism (the idea that humans are the centre of the universe). Outside, there are bike trails, peaceful shaded areas and wonderful views of the surrounding harbour. 

Brazilians might tell you soccer – or fútbol – is practically a religion. Where better to consolidate (or begin) your love of sport in the city of one of the most soccer-mad nations in the world? From May to December, the national championship sees the country’s 20 teams battle it out in packed stadiums, including the city’s largest, Maracanã, where over 100,000 people regularly attend energetic matches.

Street art has been legal in Brazil since 2009, and there’s no shortage of examples of its vibrancy throughout the city. The best way to experience its breadth is with a locally-run street art tour, regularly run through neighbourhoods from Tijuca to Santa Teresa. 

Magical Bucket List Moments You Must Experience in South America