Santa Teresa Travel Guide

Rio de Janeiro

Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa

Stroll along the winding cobblestone streets of this famous Rio de Janeiro neighborhood to see aging 19th-century mansions and haunts of local artists.

Santa Teresa is a bustling hillside neighborhood, famous for its bohemian atmosphere, art galleries and bars. Ride the city’s last operating streetcars through this lively neighborhood. The area contains many excellent tourist attractions, including the mansion ruins of Brazilian heiress Laurinda Santos Lobo.

The Santa Teresa Tramline features unsurpassed views of the neighborhood’s mansions and jungle areas. Ride the “bonde,” Rio’s last streetcar line, from Centro to Santa Teresa. The line crosses Arcos da Lapa, one of Rio’s famous aqueducts and a symbol of the nearby neighborhood of Lapa.

With its welcoming atmosphere, Santa Teresa is a great place to relax when visiting Rio de Janeiro. Admire striking examples of colonial architecture while on a stroll and enjoy Brazilian beer and wine in local bars. During the 1960s and ’70s, an influx of artists, musicians and writers restored many of the aging mansions. The buildings now function as restaurants, artists’ studios and guesthouses.

Walk Santa Teresa’s bustling streets to see many examples of its burgeoning creative life, such as Afro-Brazilian drumming performances. The Largo dos Guimarães is the heart of Santa Teresa and can be reached via the “bonde.” The small square is also used as a meeting point for carnivals and street parades.

Visit Ruins Park (Parque das Ruinas), one of Santa Teresa’s main attractions. The ruins contain the shell of a mansion once owned by Brazilian mate heiress Laurinda Santos Lobo. The mansion was a meeting point for many influential Rio de Janeiro artists and intellectuals in the early 20th century. Admire the magnificent views as you explore Ruins Park, now operating as a public park, gallery, bar and café.

The friendly hillside neighborhood is located above downtown Rio, about 11 miles (17 kilometers) from Rio de Janeiro - Galeão International Airport. Stay in a historic mansion in Santa Teresa. Alternatively, luxury hotels and self-catered apartments are available in the nearby neighborhoods of Lapa and Centro, Rio de Janeiro’s financial center.

Many stores selling vintage clothing, locally made handicrafts, artworks and home goods make Santa Teresa an excellent shopping destination.


Popular places to visit


Top hotels in Santa Teresa

Boutique Hotel Castelinho

Boutique Hotel Castelinho

3.5 out of 5
R. Triunfo 38, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (30 reviews)
"Amazing"

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Boutique Hotel Castelinho
Casa Nova Hotel

Casa Nova Hotel

3 out of 5
Rua do Riachuelo,105, Centro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹3,441 per night from 29 Jul to 30 Jul
₹3,441
₹3,613 total
29 Jul - 30 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Great experience. 100 % recommended"

Reviewed on 22 May 2025

Casa Nova Hotel
Hotel Monte Alegre

Hotel Monte Alegre

3 out of 5
Rua Riachuelo, 213 - Lapa, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
The price is ₹2,783 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
₹2,783
₹2,922 total
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Christ the Redeemer ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (658 reviews)
"The property was completely fine, but neighborhood was dirty, stinky and noisy, there’s a bar selling alcohol until early mornings playing loud music… Ig you don’t care about it hotel is great for you"

Reviewed on 24 May 2025

Hotel Monte Alegre
Santa Teresa Hotel Rio de Janeiro - MGallery Collection

Santa Teresa Hotel Rio de Janeiro - MGallery Collection

5 out of 5
Rua Almirante Alexandrino 660, Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
The price is ₹33,403 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹33,403
₹38,413 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Christ the Redeemer and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (384 reviews)
"This was our second stay and we honestly can’t fault the exemplary service levels we received and the quality of food in Tereza Restaurant. The staff genuinely make you feel welcome and are so helpful. Whilst we appreciate renovations need to be undertaken, we hadn’t been informed before our arrival ..."

Reviewed on 8 Jun 2025

Santa Teresa Hotel Rio de Janeiro - MGallery Collection
Rio Vibes Hostel

Rio Vibes Hostel

1 out of 5
Rua Benjamin Constant, 120, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Stay at this hostel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 3 beach bars. Popular attractions Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana Beach are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Minha estadia no Rio Vibes Hostel foi simplesmente incrível! O ambiente é acolhedor, a equipe super simpática e sempre disposta a ajudar. Um dos pontos altos foi, sem dúvida, o café da manhã: simples, mas preparado com muito carinho e sabor. Pães fresquinhos, frutas, café delicioso e aquele clima ..."

Reviewed on 15 Apr 2025

Rio Vibes Hostel
Hotel Atlântico Prime

Hotel Atlântico Prime

4 out of 5
Rua do Resende 87, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹2,368 per night from 29 Jul to 30 Jul
₹2,368
₹2,487 total
29 Jul - 30 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.2/10 Good! (2,532 reviews)
A Wonderful Stay at Hotel Atlântico Prime!
"I recently had the pleasure of staying at Hotel Atlântico Prime, and I can honestly say it exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by the modern, stylish décor and the warm, welcoming atmosphere. The staff at the hotel truly made the difference. Every team member ..."

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2025

Hotel Atlântico Prime
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 Santa Teresa

Lapa which includes a city and street scenes

Lapa

You'll enjoy the churches and live music in Lapa. You might want to make time for a stop at Circo Voador or Arcos da Lapa.

Lapa
Default Image

Catete

You might enjoy the beaches while in Catete. Largo do Machado is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Largo do Machado Station or Catete Station to see more of the city.

Catete
Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro Centro

You might enjoy the museums while in Rio de Janeiro Centro. Saara Rio is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Tiradentes Tram Stop or Colombo Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Rio de Janeiro Centro
Default Image

Laranjeiras

Well liked for its monuments and parks, Laranjeiras is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like Largo do Machado and Tijuca National Park, and jump on the metro at Funicular RioArte Tram Station to get around the city.

Laranjeiras
Museum of Modern Art showing interior views

Glória

You might enjoy the museums while in Glória. Museum of Modern Art is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Gloria Station or Russel Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Glória
Default Image

Flamengo

Well liked for its beaches and breweries, Flamengo is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like Catete Palace and Flamengo Beach, and jump on the metro at Flamengo Station to get around the city.

Flamengo


Santa Teresa Travel Guide