Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car

Rising straight out of Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf Mountain, or Pão de Açúcar, is Rio's other great icon. Its cable car, first opened in 1912, runs in two stages: from Praia Vermelha to Morro da Urca, then on to the summit.

From the top you can see the curve of Copacabana, the bay, the city centre and, on clear days, Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado across the city. Morro da Urca, the first stop, has cafés and forest paths where you may spot small marmoset monkeys.

Go up in the late afternoon and stay for sunset, when the city lights come on below. Queues are longest just before sunset, so we book timed tickets in advance. Wear comfortable shoes, as the summit paths are uneven in places.