Visit Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro Photo Diary

Planning Your Visit

While organised private tours are widely available, we chose the official shuttle bus from Praça do Lido in Copacabana. The ticket includes transport through Tijuca National Park and admission to Christ the Redeemer, making it a straightforward and stress-free way to visit one of Rio de Janeiro's most iconic attractions.

The viewing platform at the top is extremely popular and can become very crowded, particularly during the middle of the day. Arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon not only provides a more enjoyable experience but also reduces the likelihood of having to queue for one of the shuttle buses.

A Day at Christ the Redeemer

We were up early to make the most of our day in Rio. After breakfast, we caught an Uber to Praça do Lido in Copacabana, the departure point for the official shuttle buses to Christ the Redeemer. The scenic drive winds its way through Tijuca National Park before arriving at the summit of Corcovado Mountain, home to one of the world's most recognisable landmarks.

Christ the Redeemer rising above the forest of Tijuca National Park on Corcovado Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. — First glimpse of Christ the Redeemer above Tijuca National Park

Christ the Redeemer statue standing above the forested slopes of Corcovado Mountain in Tijuca National Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. — Christ the Redeemer rises above the forests of Corcovado Mountain

At the Summit of Corcovado Mountain

Once at the large visitor centre, we had the choice of taking either the historic cog railway or one of the shuttle buses for the final climb to the viewing platform. The summit was extremely busy, making it difficult to capture photographs without other visitors in the frame. Fortunately, with a little patience, it was still possible to find opportunities for some unobstructed shots. The effort was well rewarded, with breathtaking panoramic views stretching almost 360 degrees across Rio de Janeiro, from Sugarloaf Mountain and Guanabara Bay to Copacabana Beach and the forested peaks beyond.

Low-angle view of the Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Mountain beneath a blue sky in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. — Looking up at the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Mountain.

Front view of the Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Mountain against a clear blue sky in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Christ the Redeemer overlooking Rio de Janeiro from Corcovado Mountain.

Close-up of the face of the Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. — Close-up of the face of Christ the Redeemer.

Panoramic view from Corcovado Mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro, Guanabara Bay and Sugarloaf Mountain, Brazil. — Panoramic view over Rio de Janeiro with Sugarloaf Mountain.

View from Corcovado Mountain across Rio de Janeiro showing densely populated hillside neighbourhoods and the city skyline. — A different perspective of Rio, showing the city's densely built hillside neighbourhoods.

Sunset at Arpoador

By the time we returned to the hotel, we were simply too tired to tackle another major attraction. Our original plan had been to visit Sugarloaf Mountain, but instead we settled for a leisurely walk to nearby Arpoador to enjoy the sunset before returning to the hotel.

View of Sugarloaf Mountain from Arpoador overlooking Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro at sunset. — Sugarloaf Mountain viewed from Arpoador at sunset.

Sunset viewed from Arpoador Beach with the Two Brothers mountains silhouetted against dramatic clouds in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. — Sunset over Arpoador with the Two Brothers peaks beyond.

After returning to the hotel, we enjoyed a short rest before heading back to the restaurant we had discovered the previous evening. Having enjoyed both the food and the atmosphere so much on our first visit, it seemed the perfect place to end another memorable day in Rio.