Barra da Tijuca Beach

Barra da Tijuca is a neighborhood in Rio’s Southwest Zone that grew rapidly from the last decades of the 20th century and became a center of shopping, hotels and entertainment, according to Wikipedia. Its beach is one of the longest in the city, with a wide strip of sand, open sea and Pedra da Gávea and the mountains of the Tijuca massif in the background.

Who it suits

• Those who want space: even on busy days, the sand is usually less crowded than at Copacabana and Ipanema.
• Those attending events in the area: the neighborhood has arenas and convention centers.
• Those staying in the West Zone.

For a first trip, however, Barra is far from Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf and downtown. Bear this in mind before choosing a hotel: see where to stay.

Getting there

Metro Line 4 ends at Jardim Oceânico station, in Barra, and from there BRT lines run to other parts of the neighborhood and the West Zone. Details in the getting around Rio guide.

Combine with

Further on are Prainha and Grumari, beaches surrounded by forest, best reached by car. See all the beaches in the Rio beaches guide.