If you’re short on time in Rio, here are the main things to do in a 3-day trip to the wonder city.
The Marvelous City didn’t earn its name for no reason. There’s no shortage of interesting places and natural beauty to explore, whether you’re solo, with family, or with friends. However, when your time to enjoy the city is short, you need to start with a plan for what to do in Rio de Janeiro in 3 days.
It’s true that you won’t be able to experience everything Rio has to offer in just a few days, but you also won’t be disappointed. With a well-defined travel itinerary, you can visit the city’s most important tourist spots and return home with plenty of memories and new experiences.
Check out what to do in Rio de Janeiro in 3 days with an easy-to-follow itinerary. Come along with us!

Day One: Visit Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar
If you want an excellent experience at some of Rio’s top tourist attractions and natural beauties, the best destination is Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar. Every local and tourist should ride the cable car at least once in their life; it’s part of the celebration of getting to know Rio de Janeiro.
Of course, the park has much more than just a cable car and a beautiful view. There, you’ll find various activities, such as hiking, helicopter rides, restaurants, green areas, shops, souvenirs, and viewpoints, among many others. You can arrive early in the morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast, explore the entire place, and even get a glimpse of some destinations for the next day. Buy your ticket here.
Day Two: A Tour of Rio’s Beaches
Without a doubt, it’s impossible to think about what to do in Rio de Janeiro in 3 days without dedicating at least one of those days to its beautiful beaches. Copacabana is a must-see, of course, but it’s far from the only one. Vermelha Beach, Ipanema, and Arpoador are other great destinations.
You can spend an entire day walking from one end to the other on their beautiful sands and promenades. Just remember to bring plenty of sunscreen and stay hydrated. And if you can’t see them all, just think that you’ll have other places to visit when you return to Rio de Janeiro.
Day Three: Explore Museums and Cultural Centers
On the first day, you visited Rio’s main tourist attraction. The day after, you enjoyed its most famous beaches. So, why not take the opportunity to experience a bit of its culture? There are plenty of options to learn about various aspects of its history and art.
The Museum of Tomorrow is at the top of the list, followed by the National Museum at Quinta da Boa Vista, which is also perfect for outdoor activities like picnics. If art is more your style, you can visit the Museum of Modern Art in Flamengo. And how about catching some samba downtown to toast your last day?
Just like the beaches, you won’t be able to experience everything at once. But with these three tips, you’ll get a good taste of Carioca life, leaving you with stories to tell for your next visit!
Now that you know what to do in Rio de Janeiro in 3 days, you can better plan your travel itinerary. To learn more about Parque Bondinho, read more on the blog!