5 places in Rio de Janeiro outside the obvious

Rio de Janeiro, you beautiful!!!!! The wonderful city has a huge range of attractions for all tastes, from the basic tourist (which is amazing) even more hidden places, less known or that are known but are simply out of the obvious itinerary for those who come to the city!

And in that post let's list 5 incredible places in Rio de Janeiro to escape the obvious!!

Rio de Janeiro out of the obvious!!

This incredible view is from Lookout Dona Marta!! I think it's one of the most beautiful views of Rio de Janeiro, from up there you can see the Sugar Loaf, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, Christ the Redeemer and even Maracanã, and the best… for free!!!!

Mirante Dona Marta is located in Favela Dona Marta, in the Botafogo neighborhood, in the South Zone!! To arrive by car, the road is easy to access and just go towards Cosme Velho along Ladeira dos Guararapes, towards Corcovado, then there will be a sign indicating the Mirante. There is parking on site! If you are on foot, you can also take a trail that goes through the favela and takes around 30 to 50 minutes to reach the Mirante. It's a trail considered easy to moderate but I've never done it to find out how it is!

This is one of the most beautiful views of Rio, where you can see several postcards from one place and it's super worth including in your itinerary.

THE secret beach, it is no longer so secret but it is still a great option to escape the crowded sands of the south zone and enjoy a different and paradisiacal place in Rio de Janeiro.

Praia do Secreto is actually a natural pool located between the beaches of Macumba and Prainha in the west of the city. (region with the most beautiful beaches in Rio), It's a very small beach, without a strip of sand but with an incredible view!!

Getting to Secreto beach is not that simple. (thankfully, otherwise it would be crowded, lol), you will need to climb down a steep rock wall. (coming over) 15 meters which is just after Macumba beach (on Pontal road) or else you will cross Macumba beach by the rocks that are on the right but that will depend on how the tide is, on days of waves it is not safe at all.

Also avoid the weekends, because as the beach is only 12 meters long, it ends up getting very crowded and losing some of its beauty.

Another beautiful place in Rio de Janeiro that deserves your visit is the Ruins Park which is in Santa Teresa!! Parque das Ruínas is a cultural center with a beautiful view of Guanabara Bay on one side and the city center on the other and it was a small palace at the time of belle epoque that brought together artists and intellectuals.

Today, its ruins have gained a contemporary touch from the architect Ernani Freire and the house receives a varied cultural program! Very worth the visit!!

Parque das Ruínas opens from Tuesdays to Sundays in 8 am to 6 pm and admission is free.

A great place to dine in Rio is Irajá Gastro, both for its food and for the architecture of the house of the XIX century which is super cute!! Irajá Gastro is commanded by chef  Pedro de Artagão, known for re-editing popular dishes and giving a super original touch. The tasting menu is the restaurant's most recommended, but don't forget to order the chocolate cupcake that tastes like grandma's cake for dessert, it's amazing!!!

The house is located in Botafogo on the Rua Conde de Irajá, 109 and for reservations tel is 21 22461395.

And how about ending the day with a traditional samba from the roots? THE Pedra do Sal it has one of the most classic samba circles in the city and it happens every monday, yes monday!!!!!! And it gets crowded like this, just like the photo!!

The space is super democratic and is located in the neighborhood of Saúde (alongside the revitalized port area),  at the foot of Morro da Conceição. Here is the right place for those looking for cold beer, bar snacks with great prices and good music!

The samba at Pedra do Sal is free and takes place every Monday from 7pm !!

Address: Largo João da Baiana, Saúde, port area.