At the foot of the Corcovado mountain, in Jardim Botânico neighborhood, you will find a tiny but gorgeous public park: Parque Lage. With its lush tropical vegetation and beautiful view of the Christ, Parque Lage offers a nice walks and a delightful café, set in a colonial-style mansion, serving quiches, soups, sandwiches and sweet pastries (great breakfasts in the patio!). This English-style landscaped garden, part of Tijuca National Park, is full of things to see: bridges and crumbling towers completely surrounded by greenery, artificial caves and lakes, and even an aquarium.

Ideal for kids, the Paque Lage was the residence of industrialist Enrique Lage and was remodeled in the 20s by Mario Vodrelan Italian architect. Open to the public, today the park is also home to the Visual Arts School of Parque Lage (Escola de Artes Visuais do Parque Lage).

A curiosity: in the park you will see a bronze statue sitting on a bench. It is the statue of Tom Jobim, one of the fathers of Brazilian bossanova, and is there because Jobim planted a palm tree in the park.

Parque Lage
Rua Jardim Botânico 414, Rio de Janeiro
Phone: +55 21 3257 1800
Opening hours: every day from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm
Admissione: free