The quiet neighbourhood of Urca sits at the base of Sugar Loaf Mountain, right on Guanabara Bay. Its calm, tree-lined streets feel like a small town rather than part of a megacity. Praia Vermelha (Red Beach), a small sheltered cove at the foot of the cable car station, has coarse reddish sand and gentle waves -- a peaceful alternative to the big Zona Sul beaches. The Pista Claudio Coutinho trail runs along the waterfront from here, offering easy walking with views of the bay.
Urca and Praia Vermelha
Tranquil bay-side neighbourhood at the foot of Sugar Loaf Mountain