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Copacabana and Ipanema: free self-guided audio tour of Rio de Janeiro
Copacabana and Ipanema is a free self-guided audio walking tour of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: 7 stops in about 2 h 20. The Itinerarly app walks you from one stop to the next and plays a short narrated story when you arrive, in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.
| Stops | 7 |
|---|---|
| Duration | about 2 h 20, including time at each stop |
| Difficulty | Challenging |
| Distance | about 7.2 km in straight lines between the stops (a little more on foot) |
| Start | Forte de Copacabana |
| Finish | Garota de Ipanema Bar |
| Price | Free (some sights charge their own entry ticket) |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese |
Long beachfront walk from the Forte to the Garota de Ipanema bar
The stops, in order
- Forte de CopacabanaWelcome to the Forte de Copacabana, a military fort built in 1914 at the southern tip of the beach to protect the entrance to Guanabara Bay. It was from here, in 1922, that the famous 'Revolt of the 18 of the Fort' began, marking the start of the Tenentist movement that shook Brazilian politics. Now demilitarized, the fort houses the Historical Museum of the Brazilian Army, whose visit reveals 1914 German Krupp cannons still in place and perfectly…
- Calçadão de CopacabanaYou are now walking along the famous Calçadão de Copacabana, one of the most iconic sidewalks in the world. Its famous wave-like black-and-white pattern, evoking the ocean's waves, was designed by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx in the 1970s. More than 4 kilometers long, it runs along the entire crescent beach and has become a visual icon of Rio, reproduced in countless postcards, films, and works of art.
- Copacabana Beach (Posto 5)You have reached the heart of Copacabana beach, at the level of the legendary Posto 5. Each 'posto' was originally just a lifeguard station, numbered 1 to 6, but these numbers have become essential meeting points and social markers for Cariocas. Posto 5 is considered one of the liveliest spots on the beach, especially on weekends: here people play foot-volley, the local sport blending football and beach volleyball, on nets facing the ocean.
- ArpoadorWelcome to Arpoador, the mythical rock that separates Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. Its name means 'harpooner' in Portuguese, referring to the whales that fishermen hunted here in the 19th century. It is one of the most emotionally charged places for Cariocas.
- Pedra do ArpoadorClimb now onto the Pedra do Arpoador, a granite rock accessible by a short laid-out path. From its summit, you take in one of the finest panoramic views of Rio: to your right, the long, perfect curve of Ipanema beach with the two mythical Dois Irmãos peaks in the background. To your left, Copacabana beach and its emblematic crescent.
- Ipanema Beach (Posto 9)You are now arriving at Posto 9 in Ipanema, considered the most emblematic and cosmopolitan spot in Rio. In the heart of Ipanema beach, this stretch of fine sand is traditionally the gathering place of intellectuals, artists, activists, celebrities, and hipsters. Each one occupies their 'zone' with invisible but very real codes: Posto 9 brings together a young, tanned, and trendy crowd.
- Garota de Ipanema BarYou end your walk in front of the famous Garota de Ipanema bar, located on Vinicius de Moraes Street. Formerly named Veloso, this simple, unpretentious bar entered history because it was here that Tom Jobim and poet Vinicius de Moraes watched Helô Pinheiro, the seventeen-year-old girl who inspired them to compose 'Garota de Ipanema' in 1962, pass by every day. The song became the global emblem of bossa nova and forever transformed Ipanema into a myth.
How to take this tour
- Install the free Itinerarly app on iPhone or Android and create a free account.
- Open Guided tours, choose Rio de Janeiro, then Copacabana and Ipanema.
- Start whenever you like: the app guides you to Forte de Copacabana and the story plays when you arrive at each stop.
Other audio tours of Rio de Janeiro
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Copacabana and Ipanema tour in Rio de Janeiro free?
- Yes. It is one of 3 free self-guided audio tours of Rio de Janeiro in the Itinerarly app. Some sights charge their own entry ticket.
- How long does the Copacabana and Ipanema tour take?
- About 2 h 20 for 7 stops, including time at each stop.
- Where does the Copacabana and Ipanema tour start and finish?
- It starts at Forte de Copacabana and finishes at Garota de Ipanema Bar.
- Which languages is the narration in?
- English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese, with natural-sounding synthetic voices.