rio de janeiro
Rio Free Walking Tour: Explore Rio’s Best Historical Landmarks
Join Our Free, Tip-Based Tours Led by Knowledgeable Local Guides
Our Free Walking Tours. No need to book!
Historical City Center
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From Mon to Sat at 9:30am in front of the Theatro Municipal, Cinelandia
Little Africa
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Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:30am in front of the General statue, Praça XV
Santa Teresa
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Saturdays at 2:30pm at Largo dos Guimarães
Dive Deeper into Rio’s Magic with Our Special Tours
Heads up! Our special tours are paid experiences and are currently led in Portuguese only. Follow our Instagram for more details
May/2024 - Little Africa: Resistance and Fight
Find out more about Rio de Janeiro’s port area, a former slave port that has become a place of fighting and ancestry
June/2024 - Bossa Nova Tour
Explore the streets that inspired some of the world’s most famous Brazilian songs
July/2024 - About Machado de Assis
The places that inspired the chronicles, tales and books of the ‘Witch of Catete’ and many others
August/2024 - Vargas Era: The Man Who Changed Brazil
About the life, death and political career of one of the most politically significant Brazilians of the 20th century
September/2024 - D. Pedro I and the Independency of Brasil
The myths, truths and secrets of this more than controversial character in Brazilian history
October/2024 - Scary and Bizarre
Unveil the city’s darkest secrets on our chilling stories tour
November/2024 - São João Batista Cemetary: Necropolis of the Great
A Tour of the Cemetery’s Notable Residents
December/2024 - Christmas Tour: Churches in the Center of Rio
Our Christmas tour will visit various churches in Rio de Janeiro, telling us how the Catholic Church has constantly played a part in the history and formation of the city
Rio Free Walking Tour: Explore the City Like a Local
Discover the rich history and culture of Rio de Janeiro with Rio Free Walking Tour, the premier provider of free, tip-based walking tours in Rio. Our knowledgeable local guides lead the groups through the city’s most iconic neighborhoods, sharing stories and insights about Rio’s past and present. From the historic streets of the City Center to the bohemian charm of Santa Teresa, and the vibrant culture of Little Africa, our tours showcase the best of Rio and offer a unique, sustainable, and responsible way to experience the city.
Learn more about us here.
Questions? Check our FAQ or contact us by email, WhatsApp or use the contact form.
So come and join us in an unforgettable experience!
A must do in Rio! (Free walking tour) - Absolutely loved this walking tour and couldn’t recommend it enough! The perfect amount of walking to history ratio. Opportunities to stop to buy water and food throughout. Also gave us... read more
617eleanorsFebruary 29, 2024
The best way to get to know Rio - Rafael did great showing us around Rio!!! Born in Rio (a “carioca” as we learnt), he knew the history of every single site and was able to tell a totally... read more
679nikosmJanuary 8, 2024
The tour and Rafael are great - Rafael the co-owner was great. Very knowledgeable, great English and Portuguese, great pace, management of the group and great personable energy. One can tell he does it out pf passion.... read more
Raquel LFebruary 14, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the free tours really free?
Yes, they are. We don’t charge anything. But we encourage tipping the tour guides at the end of the tour. It’s not mandatory but it helps them to keep going.
If I want to tip the guide, how much should I pay and how can I pay?
As previously explained tips are not mandatory but around the world usually the tip is around US$ 10.00. Feel free to give as much as you want. Just remember the tour guides don’t have credit card machines.
How do I join the Free Walking Tour? Do I need to book?
What are the days and times that you are operating the Free Tours?
From Monday to Saturday at 09:30am.
What should I bring to the tours?
Comfortable shoes, light clothes, sunblock, sunglasses and bottled water. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your smile !
Are the tous cancelled due to bad weather?
Sunny and rainy days, we are waiting for you.
I have heard Rio is a very dangerous city. Is that true? Can I bring my camera or phone to the tour?
As any big city, Rio is not 100% safe. We recommend to avoid bringing jewerly. Cameras and phones usually are ok. The tour guides are always paying attention to the surroundings but we cannot guarantee 100% safety.
