Last Updated: June 19, 2022
Famous Landmarks In Brazil
Brazil is the largest country in Latin America and it’s home to everything. You’ll find natural wonders like the Amazon rainforest and incredible beaches along its Atlantic coastline, and a pile of cultural heritage too.
There is so much to see in Brazil that I doubt you’re aware of all the famous landmarks worth visiting and we’d hate for you to miss any!
Join me as we take a look at the most famous landmarks in Brazil that you should add to your itinerary when you next visit.
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Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
When you think of South America, Brazil, and specifically Rio de Janeiro, what are the most famous landmarks that come to mind? Chances are you have conjured up an image of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio De Janeiro.
The statue of Christ the Redeemer is probably the most famous landmark in Brazil and perhaps even South America. The statue of Jesus Christ (Christ the Redeemer statue) sits above Rio De Janeiro on Mount Corcovado inside the Tijuca Forest National Park looking down on the city.
Christ the Redeemer statue is 38 meters tall and its foundations were first laid on the 19th of April 1922. The statue of Christ the Redeemer was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Brazil’s independence from Portugal and it’s a constant reminder as it looks down on Rio De Janeiro from 700 meters above.
Christ the Redeemer was actually built by French sculptor Paul Landowski and he did the work in France. He built the statue in pieces which were then shipped to Brazil and then put together by engineers.
The project to sculpt and build Christ the Redeemer took a total of 9 years and was finally completed in 1931. It was not only a statue for Christianity, and it does have a chapel under it, but also became one of the most famous Brazil landmarks.
To visit Christ the Redeemer while you’re in Rio De Janeiro you’ll need to hop onto the Corcovado Train which will take you to the top of Mount Corcovado. You’ll get amazing views of Rio De Janeiro, see the statue up close, and be able to explore the Tijuca national park.
You can hike up if you’re feeling fit and energetic or just take the train up and hike back down for some time in nature.
Sugar Loaf Mountain/ Pao de Azucar
Sugar Loaf mountain, also known as Pão de Açúcar is another of the famous landmarks in Brazil that is a must-see while you’re in Rio de Janeiro.
If you’re struggling to place Sugarloaf Mountain, chances are you have seen it in a picture of Rio De Janeiro that features Guanabara Bay. It’s the rock/mountain that rises off the peninsula.
Sugarloaf Mountain rises up to 396 meters above sea level and thus Rio De Janeiro. You can see it from multiple parts of the city so be sure to take some snaps of it, especially when you visit Christ the Redeemer.
You should, of course, also go to the top of Sugarloaf mountain as the views of Rio and the Atlantic ocean are fantastic. You have 3 choices of how to get there, one is via cable car, the other is on a hike, or you can go rock climbing.
The mountain is famous for its rock climbing and is home to over 270 climbing routes with varying difficulties. If you’re into climbing, you couldn’t pull yourself up to a more iconic spot with the Atlantic on one side, Rio De Janeiro on the other, and the rainforest beneath.
To use the cable car, simply head to Urca in Praia Vermelha and hop aboard. If you want to hike, hike through the rainforest to Morro da Urca and then get the cable car for the final stretch from there.
Brasilia Cathedral
Another iconic Brazilian landmark and one of the major Brazlian landmarks is the Brasilia Cathedral also known as the Metropolitan Cathedral.
The Metropolitan Cathedral was the first-ever monument built in the country’s capital Brasilia and it’s by far one of the most famous landmarks in the capital too.
The Metropolitan Cathedral was designed by Oscar Niemeyer and Oscar Niemeyer did what can only be described as an incredible job. The cathedral is nothing short of a work of art and Oscar Niemeyer won the Pritzker top architect prize for the architectural symbol in 1988.
The cathedral features a surrounding pond which you must walk under through a passage to enter it. It’s built from a total of 16 columns that all come to meet in a central circle and it’s adorned with 2000 meters of stained-glass windows.
The cathedral’s patron saint, which is also the patron saint of Brasilia and Brazils, is Our Lady Aparecida. Inside the cathedral, you’ll find a replica of Our Lady Aparecida, and to see the original you’ll need to visit the Aparecida’s Basilica in São Paulo.
While in Brasilia, you really must visit the Brasilia Cathedral not just to see the amazing architecture of Oscar Niemeyer and stained glass windows but also to visit the museum inside. The museum is home to beautiful contemporary art pieces including modern art, western art, and Brazilian art. It’s a perfect stop for art lovers.
Paulista Museum Ipiranga, São Paulo
One of those Brazil landmarks you might not have heard of is the Paulista Museum Ipiranga which is also referred to as the Museu Paulista or Museu do Ipiranga (Ipiranga Museum).
The Paulista Museum is in São Paulo and is located in the Parque da Independência where Brazil’s Independence was declared by the Emperor Dom Pedro.
Paulista Museum is a history museum that showcases everything you might want to know about Brazil and more specifically, the history of São Paulo. The exhibits feature documents and furniture and artwork that are relevant to Brazil’s history, most notably around the Brazilian Empire era.
The most famous piece of art in the museum and one art lovers should see, is the Independência ou Morte (Independence or Death) painting which was created by artist Pedro Américo in 1888.
It’s not just the exhibits that are worth seeing at the Paulista Museum, the build itself is quite incredible. It was built in 1890 as a monument to independence and was designed by Italian architect Tommaso Gaudenzio Bezzi who based his design on the Palace of Versailles in France.
Just next to the museum are some beautiful gardens and you can also enter the Museu de Zoologia with the same ticket.
Currently, the Paulista Museum is closed as it has been undergoing renovations since 2013 but will open for business again in 2023.
Sambadrome
If there is one thing Brazilian people love, it’s carnival and a big part of that is Samba. Samba is a style of music and dance that is a blend of Afro-Brazilian culture and there are thousands of Samba Schools dotted around the vast country of Brazil.
Every year, during the world’s largest carnival that takes over the entire city, the Samba Schools come together at the Sambadrome, a special building created just for the celebration of Samba School competitions. While the Sambadrome isn’t an internationally famous landmark, it’s a very Brazilian landmark and one you must visit if you have the chance.
When carnival is in full swing in Rio all the Samba Schools gather at the Sambadrome to compete against each other. The stands are filled with thousands of people who come to see the performances and the atmosphere is indescribable, it has to be experienced to be felt.
Once the competitions get going, the Samba Schools start their procession down the middle of the Sambadrome dressed in colorful costumes and packing a ton of energy. Their performances are simply magical and the vibe is unbeatable.
To visit the Sambadrome and see the incredible performances, you’ll need to be in Rio during Carnival which happens every year over lent. The carnival starts the Friday before lent and finishes on Ash Wednesday, usually from around the 25th of February to the 5th of March.
Bonito, Matt Grosso do Sul
Image courtesy of Flickr
One might not consider Bonito as one of the most famous landmarks in Brazil or as even a Brazilian landmark at all, but it’s worth visiting.
Bonito is a city in the southwest of Brazil in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul that is known as an eco-hub. It’s the perfect place to connect with nature and see the magical flora, fauna, and landscapes that Brazil holds.
You’ll find crystal clear rivers, beautiful waterfalls, caves, emerald lakes, and lots more natural Brazil landmarks that are just a joy to explore. You’ll see exotic birds and lots more, and you can even go snorkeling in the crystal clear rivers to see snakes bathing and fish too.
If you’re worried about the snakes, which are anaconda’s by the way, don’t be, your guide will know exactly what to do and how to make sure you’re safe.
Some of the top Brazilian landmarks to see in Bonito include the Parque Ecologico Rio Formoso, Gruta do Lago Azul, and the Rio Sucuri where you’ll go snorkeling with snakes.
Botanical Garden of Curitiba
The Botanical Gardens of Curitiba is another of the landmarks in Brazil worth visiting while you’re in this amazing country as it holds some rare species and is beautiful to walk around.
The gardens were opened in 1991 and were built in a French style. They feature everything you might imagine a French garden to have and more with lakes, waterfalls, fountains, and a huge main greenhouse.
The greenhouse was designed in an art nouveau style and it looks a lot like the Crystal Palace greenhouse in London. At 485 square meters, the Curitiba greenhouse is huge and is home to all the amazing botanical plants that require a tropical environment to live in.
You’ll find a Botanic museum to visit too which is home to a huge collection of native flora from the moist Atlantic Forests of eastern Brazil and researchers from around the globe come to see them.
The gardens are also home to a native forest that is delightful to stroll around and you’ll find the Museum of Franz Krajcberg, a Polish Brazilian artist and conservationist.
Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco
Fernando de Noronha is one of the most beautiful landmarks in Brazil and one of the most popular landmarks with nature lovers, and you’ll understand why in a moment.
Fernando de Noronha is a volcanic archipelago a thousand or so miles off the coast of Pernambuco in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. You might describe it as Brazil’s version of the Galapagos.
Fernando de Noronha is made up of 21 different islands and is named after the largest island, Fernando de Noronha. Each island is covered with sandy beaches, forests and is full of amazing species, some of which are hard to find in other parts of the world.
Since Fernando de Noronha is so important ecologically it is a protected national park, marine sanctuary, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Even though it’s well protected, ecotourism is allowed on the islands and it’s a hard place to beat and if you love snorkeling, scuba diving, and empty beaches, you should make sure to see this world heritage site. The ocean is full of sharks, sea turtles, rays, and dolphins plus tons of tropical fish and amazing coral reefs, it’s an underwater paradise.
Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro
Copacabana Beach might be the most famous landmark in Rio and it’s certainly one of the top landmarks in Brazil to visit.
Copacabana beach is probably the most famous beach in Brazil, if not the world, and it’s certainly worth joining all the other tourists for a day or night out of fun on the sand.
The beach is the ideal place to find a sunbed and tan for the day, splash around in the fresh waters of the Atlantic, and simply to enjoy the view with some delicious cocktails in your hands.
From the beach, you can gaze across Rio and see Sugarloaf Mountains and beyond the beach is a buzzing neighborhood that pretty much never sleeps. You can visit the Copacabana Palace Hotel and the Copacabana Fort where you’ll find a military museum.
Along the promenade, you’ll also find laidback cafes, bars, chilled streets, and lots more. The beach is usually covered with both tourists and locals, and there is always a football or volleyball game going on too.
As well as going to Copacabana beach, you should also check out Ipanema beach which is just around the corner and has a similar vibe.
Iguazu Falls
Iguazu Falls are probably the most amazing of the natural landmarks in Brazil and you’ll find it in southwest Brazil on the border with Argentina and Paraguay in Iguazu National Park.
The reason Iguazu Falls is so spectacular is that it’s formed of some 275 different falls that come together to make it the largest waterfall system on the planet. If there is one part of Iguazu Falls worth seeing from the Brazilian side, it’s an area known as Devil’s Throat.
This is where 14 falls drop from an amazing 350 feet around a curved gorge. The sound and sheer force of the water are nothing short of mesmerizing and you can not help but be humbled by nature’s power when standing by them.
When considering around 450,000 cubic feet of water passes through Iguazu Falls, you can understand why.
Paraty
Another Brazil landmark that you have probably never heard of is the beautiful Portuguese colonial town of Paraty.
Paraty sits on the southeast coast of Brazil slap bang in the middle between Rio and São Paulo. It’s a quaint colonial town with paved cobblestone streets and cute houses that resemble a small Portuguese town and is full of natural and architectural sites to visit.
The town is a great way to transfer yourself back in time to old town Brazil and it’s a great place for nature lovers too with amazing beaches and white sand dunes all around.
While in Paratay, you should explore the beautiful streets, eat some of the delicious Afro-Brazilian food, hang out at the lively bars and see Santa Rita church, Forte Defensor Perpétuo, Paraty House of Culture, the Waterfalls in Paraty, Trindade beach and, Jabaquara beach.
Independence Park, Ipiranga, São Paulo
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
Independence Park also known as Parque da Independência sits in São Paulo in the Ipiranga district of the city. The park was built in 1969 and is a Brazil landmark you have to see.
You might be thinking why it’s called Independence Park since it was built so long after Brazil’s independence from Portugal which happened in 1882? Well, the park is actually built on where Emperor Dom Pedro declared independence and it unites three sites that were built as a monument to independence inside it.
Within the park you’ll find Ipiranga Museum, the Independence Monument and the Casa do Grito, all of which were built as monuments to Independence and the park ties them all together. It’s a place designed to unite the Ipiranga region, add to patriotism, and of course, somewhere to remember the past.
The park is a beautiful place to walk around with amazing french gardens, ponds, fountains, and a lovely forest too. If you visit on a Sunday, you’ll be lucky enough to find a market selling amazing foods plus local arts and crafts too.
Of course, you should also visit the Ipiranga Museum, the Independence Monument, and the Casa do Grito while you’re there, and if you’re ever looking for a break from the busy streets of Sao Paulo, then chilling in the park is a great bet.
Related: Check out the best traditional food in Brazil and unique drinks
Metropolitan Cathedral of Sao Paulo, Sé, São Paulo
Image courtesy of Flickr
One Brazil landmark that everyone should see when in São Paulo is the city’s Metropolitan Cathedral. Also known as the Se Cathedral, it was one of the first churches to be built in the city and today is one of the biggest neo-Gothic buildings in the world.
The cathedral has had a turbid history and was first built in 1589 when it was decided that the city needed a main catholic church and completed in 1611. It was then knocked down in 1745 when the city became the seat of a diocese and was rebuilt with Baroque architecture.
Once completed in 1764, the baroque cathedral lasted until 1911 when it was demolished again and made way for the cathedral you can see today. The new cathedral’s construction began in 1913 and wasn’t completed until1967.
The cathedral is huge and walking around it is a must while in Sao Paulo. Inside you’ll find the largest pipe organ in Latin America with 12,000 pipes, you can gaze at the green dome that was designed based on the Florence Cathedral, and see the amazing biblical passages portrayed on the stained glass windows.
Under the main altar is a crypt where many famous people from the city and Brazil were buried and Chief Tibiriçá is one of the most famous. Chief Tibiriçá was the first of the indigenous people of Brazil to be baptized and converted by Jesuits José de Anchieta and Leonardo Nunes.
Escadaria Selarón, Rio
Another Brazil landmark that is a must-see in Rio is the Escadaria Selarón. The Escadaria Selarón is described as the most beautiful staircase to ever be created in the world and when you see a picture of it you will know why.
The Escadaria Selarón features 213 steps and each step has colorful tiles on it in a mixture of green, blue and yellow that represent the Brazilian flag. It’s not just the colored tiles that make Escadaria Selarón beautiful as you’ll also find tiles with images that are related to religion, football, and lots more.
The Escadaria Selarón was designed by Jorge Selarón in 1990 and was finally completed in 2013. It’s a bit strange that Jorge Selarón was found dead on the steps not long after it was completed.
If you’re in Rio, a walk up the Escadaria Selarón steps is a must and you’ll find them connecting Joaquim Silva Street and Pinto Martins in Lapus, Rio.
Ouro Preto
One last famous landmark in Brazil that is definitely worth mentioning is Ouro Preto. The name translates as Black Gold and it is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It began as a site of the gold rush in Brazil during the 18th century, and is, therefore, a historic mining town.
It is located right below the Serra do Espinhaço mountains and is well known for its baroque architecture, as well as its local bridges, churches, squares and fountains.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
