Costs nothing · Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
15 Free Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro
The best budget in travel is zero. These Rio de Janeiro spots have verified free entry.
Free means verified: each entry policy here is checked, out of 154 tracked Rio de Janeiro places. Updated monthly.
Tijuca National Park
Park & natureTijuca National Park is an urban national park in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Read our full guide →Mirante Dona Marta
LandmarkMirante Dona Marta is one of the finest viewpoints in Rio de Janeiro, a lookout perched on the Dona Marta hill, partway up toward Corcovado, offering a spectacular panorama that takes in Christ the…
Read our full guide →Barra Shopping
MarketBarra Shopping is one of the largest and most popular shopping centers in Rio de Janeiro, located in the upscale Barra da Tijuca neighborhood.
Read our full guide →Mirante Do Leblon
Park & natureThe Mirante do Leblon is a scenic clifftop viewpoint at the western end of Rio de Janeiro's chic Leblon neighbourhood, a favourite local spot for taking in one of the city's most beautiful coastal…
Read our full guide →Shopping Leblon
MarketShopping Leblon stands out as one of Rio de Janeiro's most sophisticated malls, located in the affluent Zona Sul district.
Read our full guide →Museu Nacional De Belas Artes
MuseumThe Museu Nacional De Belas Artes is a cornerstone of Rio de Janeiro's cultural scene, located on the bustling Avenida Rio Branco in the city's central district.
Read our full guide →Caminhos Language Centre
MarketCaminhos Language Centre is a well-regarded Portuguese language school situated on Rua Farme de Amoedo in the vibrant Ipanema neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro.
Read our full guide →Bar Carioca da Gema
SightBar Carioca da Gema is a legendary samba spot in the heart of Lapa, Rio's vibrant nightlife district.
Read our full guide →Mureta da Urca
NeighborhoodMureta da Urca is a beloved promenade and seawall in the charming Urca neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro.
Read our full guide →Ilha Da Gigoia
Park & natureIlha Da Gigoia is a small island park located in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro's West Zone.
Read our full guide →Casa De Arte & Cultura Julieta De Serpa
LandmarkCasa De Arte & Cultura Julieta De Serpa is a vibrant cultural venue located in Rio de Janeiro's upscale Flamengo district, along the scenic Praia do Flamengo.
Read our full guide →Rio Mountain Sports
MarketRio Mountain Sports is a lively market located in the Urca district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain.
Read our full guide →Cafe Cultural Sacrilegio
SightCafe Cultural Sacrilegio is a beloved nightlife spot in Rio de Janeiro's Zona Central, specifically in the historic Lapa neighborhood.
Read our full guide →Shopping da Gavea
MarketShopping da Gavea is a vibrant market located in the upscale Gávea district of Rio de Janeiro's South Zone (Zona Sul).
Read our full guide →Downtown RJ
LandmarkDowntown RJ, located in the sprawling West Zone (Zona Oeste) of Rio de Janeiro, is a bustling commercial and cultural hub centered around Avenida das Americas.
Read our full guide →
How we pick these
Every place here is genuinely free to enter. We filter the 154 Rio de Janeiro places we track down to those with no admission charge, then rank them by traveler reviews. Updated monthly.
Good to know
A few museums are free only on set days — check opening info before you go.
Entry is free, but transport, snacks and lockers in Rio de Janeiro still add up.
Free attractions draw crowds; mornings are usually the calmest.
Common questions
What can you do for free in Rio de Janeiro?+
This list ranks the best no-cost things to do in Rio de Janeiro, from parks and viewpoints to museums with free entry.
Are there free museums in Rio de Janeiro?+
Some museums are free all the time and others on specific days. The verified-free ones are included above.
Is Rio de Janeiro expensive to visit?+
You can see a lot of Rio de Janeiro on a tight budget by leaning on the free attractions here and eating where locals do.
Rather have a human do the planning? A Local Friend can build this day for you, at local prices.