Brazil

Christ the Redeemer is a 38-meter-tall Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ standing atop the 700-meter granite peak of Corcovado in Tijuca Forest National Park. Towering over Rio de Janeiro, it is widely recognized as the Western Hemisphere’s most famous religious monument and is counted among the New Seven Wonders of the World, making it a centerpiece in any Rio de Janeiro travel guide. The statue was designed by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa and sculpted by Paul Landowski (responsible for the head and hands) along with Gheorghe Leonida (who created the face). Built between 1922 and 1931, it is made of reinforced concrete and covered in soapstone tiles. The pedestal beneath the statue houses a small chapel where weddings and baptisms still occasionally take place. With an arm span of 28 meters, the summit offers the most photographed view in South America. From here, visitors get a sweeping 360-degree panorama that includes Sugarloaf Mountain, Guanabara Bay, Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, Maracanã Stadium, and the entire city spread between mountains and the sea. This viewpoint ranks among the top attractions in Rio de Janeiro, especially for those planning to visit Rio de Janeiro for the first time.

Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar) is a 396-meter granite monolith rising directly from the harbor entrance of Guanabara Bay, making it one of the most recognizable natural landmarks in Rio de Janeiro tourism. Named for its resemblance to the refined sugar blocks once traded by the Portuguese, it stands as the third-most photographed peak in the world after Everest and Kilimanjaro, and is a highlight in any Rio de Janeiro travel guide. Access has been via cable car since 1912, the world’s first urban system of its kind. The journey runs in two stages: first to Morro da Urca at 220 meters, and then onward to the Sugarloaf summit at 396 meters, with panoramic views throughout. Experiencing this ride and its viewpoints is easily one of the top things to do in Rio de Janeiro. Morro da Urca, the lower stop, features a viewing platform and a stage that hosts evening shows, while the higher Sugarloaf summit is the main viewpoint offering sweeping vistas across the bay and city. Both levels include small cafés, gift shops, and walking trails that allow visitors to descend on foot, adding more flexibility to exploring one of the key places to visit in Rio de Janeiro.