Rio Guide

Category: Lapa / Santa Teresa

  • Carioca da Gema: Listen to Live Samba

    Carioca da Gema: Listen to Live Samba

    Carioca da Gema (meaning something like “carioca coming from the very yolk”) is a mecca of Samba. Located on the most eventful street of Lapa, this place is entirely dedicated to live music. Artists perform on a traditional stage and people dance samba just in front of them. The atmosphere is irresistible, as the samba music, which is the popular art of turning sorrow into joy. Not to miss, especially on weekends.

    Carioca da Gema
    Avenida Mem de Sá 79
    Lapa – Rio de Janeiro
    Phone: +55 21 2221 0043
    Website: www.barcariocadagema.com.br

  • Lapa shops & street market: Buy antiques in Rua Lavradio

    Lapa shops & street market: Buy antiques in Rua Lavradio

    The area around Rua do Lavradio and Rua do Senado (Lapa) is dotted by fancy antique shops, where you can hunt colonial pieces of furniture, typical Brazilian objects and vintage staff. Don’t expect prices to be really affordable: if you want a design Brazilian souvenir, you are going to pay it. But the atmosphere is authentic and some second-hand shops (brechós) very interesting. And, above all, the area is very charming, with its colored colonial buildings and nice pubs to relax. Come here in weekends, when Lapa is at its best. And if you happen to be here on the 1st Saturday of the month, don’t miss the stands of the lovely Rio Antiques Fair.

    Lapa vintage shops
    Rua do Lavradio & Rua do Senado
    Lapa (Rio de Janeiro)

  • Lapa Steps (Selarón’s Staircase): Visit the Masterpiece of Rio Street Art

    Lapa Steps (Selarón’s Staircase): Visit the Masterpiece of Rio Street Art

    This crazy and colorful tiled stairway is the work of Chilean artist Jorge Selarón, self-taught. Having traveled the world, Selarón moved to Rio in 1983, in a tiny house just in front of the desolate stairway connecting the areas of Lapa and Santa Teresa. 215 steps that he entirely covered with majolica collected in urban areas of Rio or donated by visitors from all around the world. Since 1990, Selarón has laid over 2000 tiles, mainly red-colored: unique pieces representing a “tribute to the Brazilian people”. He also planted greenery and never finished to embellish the stairway. If you come here in the morning and you will probably see him, at work as usual. If you want, bring your own tile and he will add it to his work*.

    Nowadays Selarón’s Staircase (Escadaria Selarón) is a famous place in Rio, set of international spots and videoclips. Jorge Selarón became an honorary citizen of the city of Rio de Janeiro.

    Where
    Lapa Steps runs from Rua Joaquim Silva and Rua Pinto Martins (Rio de Janeiro)

    *To collaborate with the project, send your tile to:
    Jorge Selarón
    Rua Manoel Carneiro 24, Lapa
    Rio de Janeiro-RJ
    CEP: 20021-360

  • Arches of Lapa: the ancient Carioca Aqueduct

    Arches of Lapa: the ancient Carioca Aqueduct

    This impressive Roman-style aqueduct, also called the Carioca Aqueduct, was built in 1723, at the time of colonial Brazil. Located in Centro, Arcos da Lapa was supposed to solve the big issue of water supply in the city of Rio. Indios and African slaves worked to build the 42 stone arches composing the aqueduct, which is 270 mts long and nearly 40 mts high. Since 1896 this huge architectural work has been also used as a viaduct for the new cable cars climbing up the hill of Santa Teresa. The famous yellow cable car (Bondinho de Santa Teresa) crowded with people became the symbol of the neighborhood. Unfortunately on August the 27th 2011 a tragic accident caused the death of 6 people, and the bonde service was suspended.

     

  • Aprazível: Have a romantic dinner in the trees

    Aprazível: Have a romantic dinner in the trees

    Idyllic, sophisticated and unexpected, the romantic restaurant Aprazível, in Santa Teresa, sits on a hill overlooking Rio and is built among huge tropical trees, so you feel like eating in a treehouse. Ask a table on the panoramic terrace (you need to reserve) and try a rosted palm heart or a typical moqueca. Food is delicious and prices are moderate to high. But the atmosphere is priceless, with a French touch and an artistic feeling.

    Aprazível
    Reservation desk: +55 21 2508 9174
    Rua Aprazível 62, Santa Teresa
    Email: aprazivel@aprazivel.com.br
    Website: www.aprazivel.com.br

  • Rio Scenarium: Discover one of the 10 best nightclubs in the world

    Rio Scenarium: Discover one of the 10 best nightclubs in the world

    Listed by The Guardian among the 10 best nightclubs in the world, Rio Scenarium is the temple of samba music in Rio. Located in Lapa, this 3 floors period building holds an astonishing mix of vintage stuff: an old pharmacy dating back to 30s, ancient Chinese ceramics, seasoned barber chairs and plenty of freak objects. This living museum offers every weekend samba live music, DJ sets, good drinks, shows and also a restaurant (reservation needed). Rio Scenarium is closed during the week and is visited by about 2.000 people (locals and tourists) every weekend.

    Rio Scenarium
    Phone: +55 21 3147 9005
    Reservations: +55 21 3147 9000
    Rua do Lavradio, 20
    Website: www.rioscenarium.com.br

  • Lapa at night: Spend a wild night watching samba and drinking caipirinha

    Lapa at night: Spend a wild night watching samba and drinking caipirinha

    Looking for a place to spend a wild weekend in Rio? Lapa could be the answer. Traditionally home to samba music, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night Lapa becomes the temple of nightlife. Crowded of people and full of music, is a must to be for young people. Have a drink at one of the many restaurants on the streets or dance in a nightclub until dawn (the best is Rio Scenarium).