What To Do in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

If you are looking for what to do in Ipanema, this blog post will show you all the attractions in this famous neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Read more: A Little Bit of Ipanema’s history.

Beaches

Praia de Ipanema

Going to the Ipanema Beach is the most popular activity to do when you are looking for what to do in Ipanema. This beach gets crowded on sunny days, but it is clean and pleasant. During the winter, the surf can reach nine feet, so be aware of that.

Young people usually get together at Ipanema beach, as it is a meeting point for them. Posto 9 is the most famous part of the beach and the spot near Farme de Amoedo Street is a well-known LGBT hangout area, a very gay-friendly spot at the beach.

There are also many sand courts around this beach, and you can play a few matches of beach volleyball or footvolley with the locals.

Praia do Arpoador

Arpoador is a great place for water sports, such as surfing and standup paddleboarding. At Caminhos, we also offer yoga sessions at Arpoador every Wednesday and Friday.

Furthermore, watching the sunset at Arpoador is an institution here in Rio. It is a great catch-up spot for friends, as well as a lovely romantic place for a date. You can grab a coconut or a beer and sit on the rock, watching the sun go down. Amusingly, crowds of tourists and locals clap as the sun disappears.

Parks

Parque Garota de Ipanema

The Girl from Ipanema Park borders Ipanema and Copacabana and offers sport and playground space and lots of trees for a well-deserved shadow on sunny days. Sometimes, there are some events there during the weekends, offering live music, food trucks, and other attractions.

Praça Nossa Senhora da Paz

Praça Nossa Senhora da Paz offers plenty of space for you to exercise outside, as well as playgrounds for kids. There is also a fountain and a small fish pond at this plaza. Right across the street from Parque Nossa Senhora da Paz is the Church of Our Lady of Peace. It was recently renovated and show us all the wealth of the colonial era.

Praça General Osório

Praça General Osório is basically the heart of Ipanema, as the main landmark of the neighborhood. It is where the main subway station is located, as well as bus stops, supermarkets, and shops. Furthermore, it has a great space for outdoor sports, benches, and green areas for you to relax.

Bike

If you are looking for what to do in Ipanema, how about biking through the neighborhood and the coastline? You can easily rent a bike through Bike Itaú, the bike-share system in Rio de Janeiro. Read our blog post How To Rent And Use a Bike-share System In Rio de Janeiro for more information.

Bars

Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro has great nightlife with numerous bars and restaurants scattered around the neighborhood. For instance, the new Boteco Belmonte, right on the corner of Ipanema beach and Farme de Amoedo Street offers a rooftop with an amazing view of the beach and Morro Dois Irmãos. Moreover, Vizinhando bar is also a great option for nice food and cheap beer.

Another option is Banana Jack at Praça General Osório. It is a fun bar with a varied menu. Fun fact: this place is famous for its banana beer. You must try! Furthermore, if you are looking for a more sophisticated place, Êtta Gastrobar is the right place for you.

Street fairs

Hippie Fair

The Ipanema Hippie Fair is an outdoor arts and crafts gallery. It happens every Sunday, from 7 am to 7 pm at Praça General Osório. Feira Hippie is a great place to buy art, handicrafts, clothing, and even furniture.

Farmer’s Markets

In Brazil, it is very common for people to buy fruits and vegetables at street markets. They take place in many parts of the city — each one of them has its exact day and place. The best thing is to visit the street markets very early in the morning to choose the freshest fruits. However, at the end of the day, it is common to get better prices for the remaining products. They usually run from 7 am until 1 pm.

In Ipanema, there are two great farmer’s markets to visit:

• Every Tuesday: Praça General Osório.
• Every Friday: Praça Nossa Senhora da Paz.

Mirante da Paz

On the exit C of General Osório subway station in Ipanema (Barão da Torre Street), it is possible to gain access to the Mirante da Paz. From there, you can see Ipanema, Copacabana, Lagoa, Corcovado, and many other places from the top. The visit is completely free.

Study Portuguese

Learn Brazilian Portuguese four blocks away from the famous Ipanema Beach. You can come to school wearing your shorts and flip-flops! Caminhos Language Centre is the largest and most exciting Portuguese school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We have an excellent infrastructure and more than 15 experienced Brazilian teachers and friendly multilingual support staff. We are the only school in Brazil able to offer Portuguese group courses throughout the year on 10 levels (beginner to high advanced and Spanish/Italian speakers).

At Caminhos, we offer free Wi-Fi, coffee, tea, and filtered water. Many students head to the beach straight after class. Our free beach volleyball sessions on Mondays are also very popular.

For more activities in Ipanema, visit our website page: Ipanema.