Brazil rewards curiosity. In a single week you’ll glide from Rio de Janeiro’s mountains-to-sea panoramas to São Paulo’s high-octane culture, design, and dining. This 7-day itinerary balances famous highlights—Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Copacabana—with local neighborhoods, coffee culture, markets, and art.

Rio dazzles with surf-sculpted beaches, samba clubs in historic Lapa, and rainforest trails threading Tijuca National Park. São Paulo counters with museums like MASP, leafy Ibirapuera Park, street art in Vila Madalena, and a world-class restaurant scene led by chefs who champion Brazilian ingredients.

Practical notes: petty theft can happen—use registered taxis/rideshares, leave valuables in your hotel safe, and stay aware at night. Summer (Dec–Mar) brings heat and rain; shoulder seasons are ideal. Book popular restaurants (e.g., A Casa do Porco) and tours in advance, and carry a card—contactless is widely accepted.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio is a postcard come alive: granite peaks plunging into the Atlantic, neighborhoods wrapped around bays, and golden sands that double as social clubs. Beyond the beaches, discover Afro-Brazilian rhythms, Belle Époque cafes, and nature at the city’s doorstep.

• Top sights: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf’s cable cars, Selarón Steps, Botanical Garden, and the futuristic Museum of Tomorrow on revitalized Praça Mauá.
• Where to eat: Feijoada at Bar do Mineiro (Santa Teresa), seafood feast at Marius Degustare (Leme), inventive Brazilian plates at Zazá Bistrô (Ipanema), and the legendary pastries of Confeitaria Colombo (Centro).
• Nightlife: Samba at Rio Scenarium, sunset beers on the seawall by Bar Urca, or a sleek dinner-and-show at the new Roxy Dinner Show.

Stay in Rio: Browse stays on VRBO or Hotels.com.

• Belmond Copacabana Palace – Rio’s grand classic facing Copacabana; palm-lined pool and a storied Piano Bar.
• Windsor Barra Hotel – Oceanfront in Barra da Tijuca with wide sands and a quieter vibe.
• Selina Lapa Rio de Janeiro – Hip rooms, coworking, and rooftop views in nightlife-friendly Lapa.
• Ibis Rio de Janeiro Centro – Value base near tram lines and historic Centro sights.

Getting to Rio (GIG or SDU): Compare flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. SDU (Santos Dumont) is closest to the South Zone beaches; GIG has most international service.

Day 1 – Arrival, Copacabana Stroll, and Lapa by Night

Afternoon: Arrive in Rio and check in. Shake off jet lag with a walk along the Copacabana promenade—note the wave-patterned mosaic designed by Roberto Burle Marx. Grab a fresh-squeezed maracujá (passion fruit) juice at Bibi Sucos or a coffee and pastel at the café inside Forte de Copacabana (museum days vary; bring cash for beach kiosks).

Evening: Dinner at Churrascaria Palace near the beach—classic rodízio with picanha carved tableside and an excellent salad/seafood bar. Afterwards, take a short ride to Lapa: peek at the illuminated Arcos da Lapa aqueduct and listen to live samba at Rio Scenarium (arrive early to avoid the line). Keep valuables front-of-body and use licensed taxis/rideshares home.

Day 2 – The Icons in One Go (Full-Day Tour)

See Rio’s essentials with transport, tickets, and a barbecue lunch included:

Full Day: Christ Redeemer, Sugarloaf, City Tour & Barbecue Lunch

Ride the Corcovado train through Tijuca Forest to Christ the Redeemer for sweeping Guanabara Bay views, photograph the Selarón Steps’ 2,000+ colorful tiles, and cap the day with Sugarloaf’s double cable-car ascent. A hearty churrasco lunch fuels you between stops.

Evening tip: Keep it simple after a big day—sip a caipirinha on the seawall outside Bar Urca as boats bob in the bay, then try Cervantes for the late-night pork-and-pineapple sandwich locals swear by.

Day 3 – Tijuca Rainforest, Santa Teresa, and a Show

Morning: Swap sand for jungle with a guided 4x4-and-walk nature outing: Jeep Adventure: Guided Tour through Tijuca Rain Forest.

Expect monkeys rustling overhead, cool cascades, and city lookouts that reset your Rio perspective. Wear grippy shoes and bring a light rain jacket.

Afternoon: Tram up to hilltop Santa Teresa. Eat feijoada or codfish fritters at Bar do Mineiro, then browse ateliers on Rua Paschoal Carlos Magno. If you didn’t linger yesterday, descend the Escadaria Selarón for new angles in daylight.

Evening: Make it a glam night at the city’s talked-about spectacle: Rio DE Janeiro : Official Roxy Dinner Show - Dinner + Show.

Expect live music, dancers, and a polished production celebrating Brazilian culture over a multi-course dinner—an easy way to experience Rio’s nightlife without venue-hopping.

Day 4 – Ipanema Beach Day and Sunset Sail

Morning: Join carioca life on Posto 9, Ipanema—rent chairs/umbrellas, order queijo coalho cheese from roaming vendors, and swim where flags indicate safe surf. For breakfast, try Confeitaria Colombo’s Copacabana annex for brigadeiros and strong coffee, or grab an açaí bowl at Polis Sucos.

Afternoon: If the skies are clear, catch the viewpoint at Pedra do Arpoador between Ipanema and Copacabana; surfers and photographers flock here. Late lunch at Zazá Bistrô Tropical—think moqueca-inspired fish with coconut and dendê in a bohemian townhouse.

Evening: Toast the city from the water on a small-group cruise: Rio de Janeiro Sunset Sailing Tour with Drinks.

Glide past historic forts and Niterói’s saucer-like MAC as Sugarloaf turns pink. Afterwards, dinner at Marius Degustare for an indulgent seafood-and-meat tasting, or keep it casual with pastéis and a cold beer at Bar Urca.

São Paulo

São Paulo is Brazil’s creative engine—60+ neighborhoods, 12 million residents, and a dining scene that rivals any global capital. Concrete and green mingle in surprising ways, from Oscar Niemeyer’s curves in Ibirapuera Park to gardens perched on rooftops.

• Top sights: MASP’s floating galleries on Paulista, Ibirapuera’s lakes and museums, Copan’s sweeping architecture, and street art in Vila Madalena’s Beco do Batman.
• Food highlights: Mortadella sandwiches at the Municipal Market, Japanese-Brazilian eats in Liberdade, and destination restaurants like A Casa do Porco and Mocotó.
• After dark: Cocktails at Guilhotina (50 Best Bars alum), vinyl sessions in Pinheiros, and skyline sunsets from Hotel Unique’s Skye rooftop.

Stay in São Paulo: Explore options on VRBO or Hotels.com.

• Hotel Unique – Landmark architecture, spa, and the Skye rooftop pool/bar with city views.
• Hotel Fasano São Paulo – Polished service and one of the city’s most respected Italian restaurants.
• Ibis Budget São Paulo Paulista – Steps from Paulista Avenue and the Consolação metro.
• Novotel São Paulo Morumbi – Family-friendly, riverside views near Berrini’s business district.

Getting from Rio to São Paulo (GRU/CGH/VCP): Morning flights take ~1 hr; door-to-door is ~3 hrs with transfers. Expect ~$40–$120 one-way on LATAM, GOL, or Azul via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Luxury buses run ~6–7 hrs for ~$20–$30; CGH (Congonhas) is the most central airport in SP.

Day 5 – Fly to São Paulo, Paulista + Ibirapuera, Skyline Cocktails

Morning: Depart Rio early for a ~1-hour hop to São Paulo (try to land at CGH for a quick ride to Paulista). Check in and fuel up at Padoca do Mani—fluffy pão de queijo, guava jam, and excellent espresso.

Afternoon: Stroll Paulista Avenue’s cultural mile. Visit MASP’s iconic suspended building and collection (closed Mondays; swap for the tranquil Casa das Rosas if so). Then unwind in Ibirapuera Park—Niemeyer pavilions, mirrored lakes, and shady paths. If you’re hungry, Balaio IMS serves creative Brazilian plates in a design-forward space.

Evening: Dinner at Bar da Dona Onça in the Copan building—updated Brazilian classics, cozy and lively. Cap the night with views at Skye Bar atop Hotel Unique (arrive before peak hours; smart-casual attire).

Day 6 – São Paulo in Depth (Full-Day Tour)

Cover the city’s greatest hits with a guide and transport in one efficient day:

São Paulo’s Full Day City Tour: Main City Sights in 7 Hours – (Shared Group)

Expect a curated loop through Paulista, historic Sé and Pátio do Colégio (where the city began in 1554), the Municipal Market (mercadão), and street-art-laced Vila Madalena. Try the famed mortadella sandwich or pastel de bacalhau at Bar do Mané or Hocca Bar while inside the market.

Evening tip: Book A Casa do Porco well ahead for a pork-centric tasting that champions small producers; end with craft cocktails at Guilhotina in Pinheiros—balanced, inventive, and unpretentious.

Day 7 – Liberdade Flavors, Street Art, and Departure

Morning: Coffee crawl in Pinheiros—start at Coffee Lab, where baristas walk you through Brazilian terroirs via flights and clever brew methods. If you prefer sweets, Confeitaria Dama’s brigadeiros and tarts are standouts.

Afternoon: Explore Japanese-Brazilian Liberdade’s lantern-lined streets and grocery shops. For a guided bite-sized immersion, join the São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour - In English.

Then swing by Beco do Batman in Vila Madalena to photograph ever-evolving murals. Quick lunch options nearby include lanchonetes for picanha sandwiches or thin-crust slices at Bráz Elettrica.

Evening (Departure): Transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight. If time allows, grab last-minute gifts—Brazil nut candies, specialty coffees, or cachaça—at the airport or along Paulista. Plan ~60–90 minutes to reach GRU depending on traffic.

Optional Add-Ons (If You Have More Time)

• Hang-glide over Rio’s beaches: Experience Hang Gliding or Paragliding in Rio for views you’ll never forget.
• Bike São Paulo’s downtown secrets: Secrets of Downtown São Paulo Bike Tour to connect architecture, history, and street life.

Practical Logistics

• Intercity flights: Compare fares and times on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Aim for early departures to maximize sightseeing.
• Getting around: In both cities, use metro where practical (daylight) and licensed taxis/rideshares at night. In Rio, SDU is close to Centro/Zona Sul; in SP, CGH is central while GRU is ~25–40 km out.
• Seasonal note: Carnaval (dates vary Jan–Mar) brings parades and street “blocos.” Book early; expect crowds and traffic—fun if you lean in, but plan buffer time.

Where to Sleep, At a Glance

• Rio: Belmond Copacabana Palace, Windsor Barra Hotel, Selina Lapa, or browse VRBO apartments near Ipanema.
• São Paulo: Hotel Unique, Hotel Fasano, Ibis Budget Paulista, or family-friendly Novotel Morumbi.

In one week, you’ll collect the greatest hits—Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Paulista, and Ibirapuera—without losing the small pleasures: a perfect espresso in Pinheiros, a sunset sail in Guanabara Bay, a samba chorus echoing through Lapa. Brazil’s cities are generous with energy; this itinerary channels it into unforgettable days.