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The African Heritage in Rio and Olympic Boulevard Walking Tour
Rio de Janeiro, Southeast Brazil, Brazil
$75
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
Overview
Discover the heart of Rio de Janeiro through its African roots on this walking tour. We start at Praça Mauá, home to the futuristic Museum of Tomorrow and the historic MAR, blending the city’s past and future.
Next, we stroll to Largo da Prainha, where the Church of São Francisco da Prainha stands, echoing centuries of faith and community. Just steps away is Pedra do Sal, the cradle of samba and choro, once a landing point for enslaved Africans and a gathering place for legendary musicians.
We continue to Cais do Valongo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the city’s African heritage is powerfully preserved. Finally, the tour ends at the Boulevard Olímpico, a vibrant promenade celebrating Rio’s culture through art and public spaces.
This 3-hour tour offers a journey through history, music, and culture — a chance to feel the heartbeat of Rio through its African legacy.
Next, we stroll to Largo da Prainha, where the Church of São Francisco da Prainha stands, echoing centuries of faith and community. Just steps away is Pedra do Sal, the cradle of samba and choro, once a landing point for enslaved Africans and a gathering place for legendary musicians.
We continue to Cais do Valongo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the city’s African heritage is powerfully preserved. Finally, the tour ends at the Boulevard Olímpico, a vibrant promenade celebrating Rio’s culture through art and public spaces.
This 3-hour tour offers a journey through history, music, and culture — a chance to feel the heartbeat of Rio through its African legacy.
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The African Heritage in Rio and Olympic Boulevard Walking Tour
Tour guide
Language: English
Human tour guide
Duration: 3 hours
- Public transportation
- Bilingual licensed guide
- Entrance fees to Museums are not included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Food and drinks
Meeting point
We will meet everyone in the lobby of the Belmond Copacabana Palace Hotel
Return details
We will meet everyone in the lobby of the Belmond Copacabana Palace Hotel
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We will meet in the lobby of the Belmond Copacabana Hotel. From there we will take a walk to the nearest subway station where our tour will begin.
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Maua SquareOur journey begins at Praça Mauá, the starting point of Rio Branco Avenue and the city’s revitalized Port Zone. In 1910, this was the arrival point for ships carrying goods and travelers, shaping the city’s early international connections. Today, Praça Mauá is home to striking landmarks such as the Museum of Art of Rio (MAR) and the futuristic Museum of Tomorrow, designed by Santiago Calatrava
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Museu do AmanhaThe Museum of Tomorrow rises over the bay. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, its futuristic, organic lines invite us to reflect on Rio’s future while acknowledging its African roots, essential to understanding the city’s past and identity. Please note that we will not enter the musem.
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From there, we stroll to Largo de São Francisco da Prainha, at the foot of Morro da Conceição. Before the construction of Rio’s port, this was a small beach called Prainha. Over the centuries, land reclamation erased the sand, but the spirit of the place remains. The square is named after the Church of São Francisco da Prainha, built in 1696 in the Jesuit Baroque style and entrusted to the Third Order of Saint Francis of Penance in 1704. Walking here, you can almost feel the echoes of centuries of faith, community, and resilience.
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Pedra do SalNext, we arrive at Pedra do Sal, a short distance from the square, one of the most vibrant cultural spots in Rio. Once a landing point for enslaved Africans who unloaded salt from ships, this rock became the heart of Little Africa, where communal houses known as zungus preserved traditions and nurtured a sense of community. Over the years, Pedra do Sal became a cradle for samba and choro music, hosting legendary musicians such as Donga, João da Baiana, Pixinguinha, and Heitor dos Prazeres. From its base at Largo do João da Baiana, stone steps carved into the rock lead to Morro da Conceição, offering breathtaking views and a tangible sense of history.
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Cais do ValongoOur tour continues to Cais do Valongo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important monuments of African heritage in the Americas. Once the main landing site for enslaved Africans in Rio, it stands as a powerful reminder of the city’s past and the resilience of its people. Walking here, you can sense the weight of history, as well as the spirit of celebration and survival that has shaped Rio’s identity.
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Boulevard OlimpicoFinally, we reach the Boulevard Olímpico, a modern promenade along the revitalized Port Zone. Here, contemporary murals and public art honor Rio’s rich cultural diversity, linking the city’s historic roots with its dynamic present. It’s a perfect spot to reflect on the journey we’ve taken, connecting the past and present through stories, music, and art. This walking tour, lasting approximately 3 to 3.5 hours, is a journey through time, culture, and music — a chance to feel the heartbeat of Rio through its African heritage.
How it works?
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You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
02
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We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
03
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Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!
The African Heritage in Rio and Olympic Boulevard Walking Tour
Rio de Janeiro, Southeast Brazil, Brazil
$75
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
How it works?
01
—
You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
02
—
We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
03
—
Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!