Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide

Free Guide: Ascend Rio's iconic Sugarloaf Mountain for panoramic views, thrilling cable car rides, and unforgettable Brazilian vistas.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Download the Free PDF guide
Sugarloaf Mountain

A brief summary of Sugarloaf Mountain

Ascend Rio's iconic Sugarloaf Mountain for panoramic views, thrilling cable car rides, and unforgettable Brazilian vistas.

Rising dramatically from Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar) is a symbol of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Its distinctive shape, reminiscent of a sugarloaf, and panoramic views make it a must-see attraction. Ascend via a thrilling cable car ride for unforgettable vistas of the city, beaches, and Christ the Redeemer statue.

4.8 Excellent · 7,741 Google reviews
Address
Urca, Rio de Janeiro - State of Rio de Janeiro
Website

Getting there

Public Transport

From Copacabana or Ipanema, take bus lines 511, 581, 583, or 104 towards Urca. Get off after the bus passes Shopping Rio Sul, then walk straight towards Praia Vermelha. From Botafogo, take the metro to Botafogo station, then transfer to bus 583 to Urca. A single bus fare within Rio de Janeiro typically costs around R$4.05 [pt_BR]. From the bus stop, walk approximately 3 minutes to the entrance of Sugarloaf.

Taxi/Ride-Share

Take a taxi or Uber to the 'Sugarloaf cable car'. This is the most convenient option, especially from areas like Copacabana or Ipanema. A short taxi or Uber ride from Copacabana to Sugarloaf Mountain typically costs between R$20 and R$40 [pt_BR], depending on traffic and time of day.

Walking

If you are staying in Copacabana or Ipanema, you can take a scenic walk along the shoreline to Urca. From Ipanema, it takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, and from Copacabana, about 1 hour. Follow the coast until you reach Praia Vermelha, where the entrance to Sugarloaf Mountain is located.

Cable Car

The final ascent to Sugarloaf Mountain is via a two-stage cable car. Purchase tickets at the Parque Bondinho ticket office or online. A regular adult ticket costs R$195. The cable car operates from Praia Vermelha to Morro da Urca, then from Morro da Urca to Sugarloaf Mountain. The ride offers panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro.

Discover more about Sugarloaf Mountain

Overview

Sugarloaf Mountain, or Pão de Açúcar in Portuguese, is one of Rio de Janeiro's most iconic landmarks, drawing visitors from across the globe. This monolithic granite peak rises 396 meters (1,299 feet) above Guanabara Bay, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Corcovado Mountain, and the Christ the Redeemer statue.The mountain's name is said to originate from the 16th century, during the height of sugarcane production in Brazil. Sugar was processed into a conical shape, resembling the mountain, before being shipped to Europe.The journey to the summit is an experience in itself. Visitors take a cable car in two stages. The first stage ascends to Morro da Urca, a smaller peak, where you can enjoy restaurants, snack bars and views. From there, a second cable car whisks you to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. The cable car ride offers 360-degree views through its glass walls.For the adventurous, a hiking trail leads up to Morro da Urca, offering a free alternative to the first cable car. The well-maintained trail starts at Praia Vermelha and takes about 30-40 minutes to hike. Experienced climbers can even scale Sugarloaf Mountain itself with a guide.Sugarloaf Mountain is more than just a viewpoint; it's a protected natural monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It provides a glimpse into Rio's history, natural beauty, and vibrant culture.

Evendo Review Centre

Reviews from Google
By star rating

Guest reviews

Explore Sugarloaf Mountain on the map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Sugarloaf Mountain, mapped for you.

Get your free copy of our complete guide to Sugarloaf Mountain, 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 Sugarloaf Mountain

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 Sugarloaf Mountain

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.