Religious site
Rio de Janeiro Cathedral
Cyro A. Silva from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0Some booking links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We never let this influence which places we recommend.
The Rio de Janeiro Cathedral, officially the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, is a bold modern structure completed in 1976. Its conical shape, 96 meters in diameter, rises to a height of 75 meters, and the interior seats 20,000 people. The cathedral's design is inspired by Mayan pyramids, and its four massive stained glass windows cast colorful light across the worship space. Visitors are struck by the sheer scale and the contrast between the stark concrete exterior and the luminous interior. The cathedral also houses a museum of sacred art in its crypt, featuring religious artifacts and sculptures.
Don't miss
- Marvel at the 60-meter-tall stained glass windows
- Explore the Museum of Sacred Art in the crypt
- Observe the unique conical architecture from inside and out
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Rio de Janeiro Cathedral
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inEntrance to the Giant Roda of Rio de Janeiro4.8★ · 1,440 travelers20 minutesFree cancellationFrom$12 per personSee dates →
Best full dayBest of Rio in One Day: Christ Redeemer, Sugarloaf & Local Lunch5★ · 4,891 travelers8–9 hoursFree cancellationFrom$173 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleParagliding in Rio de Janeiro5★ · 56 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$200 per personSee dates →More attractions in Rio de Janeiro
