Flamengo is a solidly middle-class neighbourhood between Centro and Botafogo, fronted by the enormous Parque do Flamengo — also known as Aterro do Flamengo — one of the largest urban parks in the world, built on land reclaimed from Guanabara Bay in the 1960s. The park, designed by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, stretches for 120 hectares along the waterfront and contains the Modern Art Museum, football pitches, cycling paths, playgrounds, and sweeping views of Sugarloaf.
Flamengo the neighbourhood (distinct from the famous football club of the same name) is less touristy than the Zona Sul beach zones and worth a few hours. The streets around Rua Dois de Dezembro and Largo do Machado have good restaurants and the Largo do Machado square itself has a relaxed park-square atmosphere with outdoor cafés popular with local families and students.