THE BEST Beaches in Rio de Janeiro

From secluded coves to lively shorelines — find the best beaches in Rio de Janeiro with curated picks, local tips, and free itinerary planning tools.

brazil and  rio de janeiro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

🏖️ Beaches in Rio de Janeiro

  • Copacabana Beach — Rio’s most famous beach, a long crescent of sand backed by hotels and kiosks.
  • Ipanema Beach — A stylish beach known for its posto culture, volleyball and mountain backdrop.
  • Leblon Beach — An upscale, quieter beach next to Ipanema with fine sand and posto 12.
  • Barra da Tijuca Beach — A long, wide beach in the west with surfing and a more local crowd.
  • Praia Vermelha — A small beach at the foot of Sugarloaf with calm water and red sand.
  • Praia de Joatinga — A secluded beach between rocks, accessible by trail or boat.
  • Praia do Leme — The quieter eastern end of Copacabana near the Leme rock.
  • Grumari Beach — A wild, protected beach in the southwest with strong surf and natural beauty.
  • Prainha — A popular surfing beach with red cliffs and fewer crowds.
  • Arpoador Beach — A small rocky beach between Ipanema and Copacabana, famous for sunset.
  • Flamengo Beach — A local beach in Flamengo with views of Sugarloaf and Guanabara Bay.
  • Botafogo Beach — A small beach in Botafogo cove with city and bay views.
  • Praia do Pepê — A stretch of Barra da Tijuca popular with surfers and kiteboarders.
  • Praia da Reserva — A long, wild stretch of Barra with strong waves and a nature reserve.
  • Praia de São Conrado — A beach at the base of Pedra da Gávea, popular with hang-gliders and paragliders.
  • Macumba Beach — A beach in the west with strong surf and a relaxed, local vibe.
  • Recreio dos Bandeirantes — A long residential beach in the far west of Rio.
  • Paquetá Island beaches — Quiet beaches on a car-free island in Guanabara Bay.
  • Praia do Abricó — A naturist beach near Grumari with a wild setting.
  • Praia de Sepetiba — A long beach in the distant west of Rio, popular with locals.
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