Inside Beach - St. John Fortress, Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide

Free Guide: Explore Rio's Fortress of São João: a historic landmark offering a glimpse into Brazil's colonial past and stunning views of Guanabara Bay.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Download the Free PDF guide
Inside Beach - St. John Fortress

A brief summary of Inside Beach - St. John Fortress

Explore Rio's Fortress of São João: a historic landmark offering a glimpse into Brazil's colonial past and stunning views of Guanabara Bay.

The Fortress of São João, located in Rio de Janeiro's Urca neighborhood, is a 16th-century star fort that played a crucial role in protecting Guanabara Bay from invaders. Today, it stands as a historical landmark, offering visitors a glimpse into Brazil's colonial past and military history.

4.8 Excellent · 26 Google reviews
Plan your visit

Opening hours

  • Every day8 am–4 pm

Opening hours as listed on the venue’s Google Business Profile. Hours can change for services and special events, so check with the venue before you go.

Address
22291-090, Al. Floriano Peixoto, 692-1096 - Urca, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22291-090
Phone
Website

Getting there

Walking

From Praia da Urca, walk along Avenida João Luís Alves towards the fortress. The entrance will be on your right. This is a short, pleasant walk with views of the bay.

Public Transport

Take bus number 513 from Copacabana or Ipanema to the Urca neighborhood. Get off at the stop closest to Avenida João Luís Alves and walk towards the fortress. A single bus fare costs R$4.70.

Taxi/Ride-Share

Take a taxi or ride-sharing service from anywhere in Rio de Janeiro to the Fortress of São João in Urca. A taxi ride from Copacabana will cost approximately R$30-R$35, depending on traffic. Note that prices may be higher at night or on weekends. Base fare is around R$6, plus around R$3 per kilometer.

Discover more about Inside Beach - St. John Fortress

Overview

The Fortress of São João da Barra do Rio de Janeiro, commonly known as the Fortress of São João, is a historic military installation located in the Urca neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. Built in 1565 by Estácio de Sá, it was erected to defend Guanabara Bay from French invasion. The original fort was expanded in 1618, featuring four batteries.Over the centuries, the fortress has undergone several renovations and expansions. In 1872, Emperor Pedro II ordered a complete renovation, equipping it with modern weaponry. It served as a coastal artillery installation until 1991. In 1930, it became the home of the Brazilian Army's physical education center. Today, the fortress is a national heritage building and is still used by the army.Visitors can explore the fortress and learn about its history through guided tours. The site offers stunning views of Guanabara Bay and Sugarloaf Mountain. Inside the fortress, visitors can see historical buildings, cannons, and military equipment.

Evendo Review Centre

Reviews from Google
By star rating

Guest reviews

Explore Inside Beach - St. John Fortress on the map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Inside Beach - St. John Fortress, mapped for you.

Get your free copy of our complete guide to Inside Beach - St. John Fortress, delivered straight to you.

Everything on this page, from opening hours and how to get there to Eve’s tips and the best time to go, in one PDF you can read offline, print or share.

Already have an account? Sign in

By clicking Create account, you accept the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Unlock the best of Inside Beach - St. John Fortress

Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours with entry, and walking tours of the area, booked in a few clicks.

See all tours and tickets

Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

More to explore near Inside Beach - St. John Fortress

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery.

Activate your presence Learn more about listing your business on Evendo

Explore more

Rio de Janeiro
More of the city

Explore more of Rio de Janeiro

Discover the vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and world-famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's Marvelous City.

Explore Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
More of the country

Explore more of Brazil

Discover Brazil: a land of samba, stunning landscapes, and rich history. From the Amazon to Rio, explore diverse cultures, world-class cuisine, and vibrant festivals.

Explore Brazil
The Evendo app on two phones

Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Rio de Janeiro

Discover Rio de Janeiro with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, restaurants, hotels, and more.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich set of information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking of hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
More about the Evendo app

Explore Rio de Janeiro like never before with Evendo. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, our free travel guide app covers all the essentials for an unforgettable trip.

  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • History of Rio de Janeiro and travel essentials
  • User-friendly navigation and 'Near me' feature
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases or hidden costs
  • Global coverage with over 7,000 destinations

Welcome to Evendo, your ultimate travel guide to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Whether you're planning to visit the iconic Christ the Redeemer, the bustling Copacabana Beach, or the historic Santa Teresa neighborhood, Evendo has you covered. Our app provides detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Rio de Janeiro. Each location includes rich details such as images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it easy for you to plan and organize your trip.

Imagine strolling through the vibrant streets of Lapa, discovering the best caipirinhas at local bars, or sampling delicious feijoada at renowned restaurants like Aprazível. With Evendo, you can easily book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly within the app, eliminating the hassle of searching for what to see, do, and experience. Our app features curated local tips so you can experience the city like a local, and the 'Near me' feature ensures you always know what's around you, no matter where you are.

Evendo also offers a wealth of information on the history of Rio de Janeiro and travel essentials to make sure you get the most out of your visit. With easy navigation and a user-friendly interface, Evendo is designed to enhance your travel experience in Rio de Janeiro. And the best part? Our app is 100% free to use, with no in-app purchases or hidden costs. Plus, Evendo covers over 7,000 destinations worldwide, so you can explore the world with just one app.

Get the latest from Evendo

Hand-picked travel deals, new destination guides and trip ideas, straight to your inbox.