Barra da Tijuca Travel Guide

Rio de Janeiro

Barra da Tijuca
Barra da Tijuca featuring a sandy beach, food and a beach bar
Barra da Tijuca
Barra da Tijuca featuring waves and surfing
Barra da Tijuca showing a garden and a sandy beach

Rio de Janeiro’s longest beach, a sprawling shopping mall and some of the city’s best seafood restaurants and bars await in this relaxed neighborhood.

Located a half-hour drive to the southwest of the city centre, Barra da Tijuca is a relatively peaceful neighbourhood, despite the fact that it offers the city’s longest stretch of beach. Once you have had enough sun, explore the bars, seafood restaurants, shopping malls and popular nightclubs of one of Rio de Janeiro’s hippest areas.

Start out on the southern rim of the neighbourhood, where you will find 11 miles (18 kilometres) of uninterrupted beach. The unsheltered coastline of Barra da Tijuca makes it a popular place for various watersports, including surfing and kite surfing. On the eastern end of the beach, many people hang glide in the winds off the Atlantic. All of the equipment for these sports is available for rent from vendors near the beach.

Remote, sheltered beaches lie at both ends of Barra da Tijuca’s lengthy coastline. Head west into Prainha Municipal Natural Park, where you will find Grumari and Prainha beaches. These well-preserved beaches peek out from amongst the rainforest’s edge, so they are perfect for a peaceful day away from the traffic and crowds of more popular beaches. At Barra da Tijuca’s eastern end you’ll find Joatinga Beach. Sheltered by rocky cliffs canopied in dense foliage, this is a beautiful place to swim.

Head into the centre of Barra da Tijuca. Developed in the 1980s, the neighbourhood is filled with modern condos and upscale shopping malls. Explore BarraShopping, which connects with the nearby New York City Centre Mall to make the biggest mall complex in the country. Go bowling or stick around until after sundown to dance to Brazilian funk at a neighbourhood nightclub.

From downtown Rio, Barra da Tijuca is best reached by car, taxi or bus. If you want to explore all the area has to offer you’ll need to hail a taxi or rent a bicycle to traverse the beach’s entire length.


Popular places to visit


Top hotels in Barra da Tijuca

Windsor Marapendi

Windsor Marapendi

5 out of 5
Avenida Lúcio Costa, 5400, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro
The price is ₹7,514 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
₹7,514
per night
17 Aug - 18 Aug
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,036 reviews)
Bom hotel
"Um bom hotel com localização excelente."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Windsor Marapendi
Radisson Barra Rio De Janeiro

Radisson Barra Rio De Janeiro

5 out of 5
Av. Evandro Lins e Silva, 600, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
The price is ₹8,354 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
₹8,354
per night
1 Aug - 2 Aug
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"Destaco la amabilidad del personal, en especial la gerente de operaciones que al notar que no me atendieron como pasajero VIP ACCESS en 24 horas remediaron la situación"

Reviewed on 25 Jun 2025

Radisson Barra Rio De Janeiro
Windsor Oceanico

Windsor Oceanico

4 out of 5
Rua Martinho de Mesquita 129, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
The price is ₹6,473 per night from 12 Aug to 13 Aug
₹6,473
per night
12 Aug - 13 Aug
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 bars/lounges and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,165 reviews)
"Great property! Would stay again!"

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2025

Windsor Oceanico
Grand Hyatt Rio De Janeiro

Grand Hyatt Rio De Janeiro

5 out of 5
Av. Lucio Costa 9600, Barra Da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro
The price is ₹16,442 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
₹16,442
per night
18 Aug - 19 Aug
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"We stayed at the hotel with family and friends for a week to attend a wedding It was very convenient, in a safe area and is well maintained. the housekeeping staff do a great job We ate at Canto several times - Food and service is excellent During our stay there was a festival lunch in the Grand ..."

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2025

Grand Hyatt Rio De Janeiro
Américas Barra Hotel

Américas Barra Hotel

3.5 out of 5
Av. das Américas, 10.500, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Popular attractions Recreio dos Bandeirantes Beach and Marapendi ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Elevator scary, breakfast the same everyday, bedding not the cleanest"

Reviewed on 28 Nov 2024

Américas Barra Hotel
Windsor Tower Hotel

Windsor Tower Hotel

4 out of 5
R. Martinho de Mesquita, 150, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
The price is ₹5,827 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
₹5,827
per night
17 Aug - 18 Aug
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (659 reviews)
"relatively good."

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

Windsor Tower Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Barra da Tijuca

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Jacarepagua

5/5(2 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the live music and parks in Jacarepagua. You might want to make time for a stop at Olympic Park or Shopping Metropolitano Barra.

Jacarepagua
Avenida Atlantica

São Conrado

3/5(1 area review)

Discover São Conrado, memorable for its beaches. Popular attractions in São Conrado include Sao Conrado Beach and Pedra da Gavea, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at São Conrado Station.

São Conrado
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Recreio dos Bandeirantes

You'll enjoy the beaches and restaurants in Recreio dos Bandeirantes. You might want to make time for a stop at Recreio dos Bandeirantes Beach or Posto 12.

Recreio dos Bandeirantes
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Leblon

3.5/5(2 area reviews)

Consider exploring the beaches in Leblon. If sightseeing is on the list, Ipanema Beach is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Antero de Quental Station or Jardim de Alah - Leblon Station to see more of the area.

Leblon
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Tijuca

Tijuca is well liked for its mountain views and churches. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Shopping Tijuca and Tijuca National Park are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Uruguai / Tijuca Station or Saens Pena Station to get around.

Tijuca
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Lagoa

Travellers like the art galleries in Lagoa, and CASV Visa Applicant Service Center is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Lagoa

Barra da Tijuca Travel Guide