Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading

A short walk from the Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janiero is the Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading, which houses the largest collection of Portuguese texts outside of Portugal.

Known as the Real Gabinete Portugues De Leitura, the library was opened in the late 1800s and has close to 400,000 tomes. Soaring above the central study area, the booklined walls are three-storey high. The Gothic interior of the library is truly a sight to behold.

Cemetery of Sao Joao Batista

This Brazilian necropolis is the only cemetery in the south of the city and the final resting place of everyone from Brazilian presidents to poets. A must-see for any amateur photographer, the cemetery is like a small city and you can see Christ the Redeemer in the distance.

Located in the neighbourhood of Botafogo, the cemetery also features a small, secluded section called anjinhos, home to the graves of children whose families couldn’t afford the burial fee. It offers a tranquil and humbling moment, away from the loudness of Rio.

Go samba dancing

Rooted in the slave culture of Afro-Brazilians, samba is everywhere in Rio. From popular hotspots like Carioca da Gema in Lapa (the bar district) to underground clubs, samba dancing is a must. If you aren’t the best dancer, you can also opt to take one of the many classes on offer. They’re a great way to learn a new dance and make new friends.

Niterói Contemporary Art Museum

This year, Louis Vuitton and its creative director, Nicolas Ghesquiere, drew the fashion elite to Rio to present their Cruise 2017 collection at the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum. Opened in 1996, the Oscar Niemeyer-designed museum resembles a UFO and features a lovely bistro, weekly events, and live music in the evenings. http://culturaniteroi.com.br /macniteroi

A street art tour

Tourists in Rio will notice the large amounts of street art around the city. Since the Brazilian government made street art and graffiti legal in March 2009, the amount and varieties of street art have skyrocketed. From the mosaic stairs to small neighbourhood shops, murals and graffiti are featured everywhere.

One of the best ways to explore Rio’s cultural scene is to sign up for a street art tour and immerse yourself in the social commentary and lives of the artists. Such tours may also take you inside a favela (slum).

Surf at Prainha Beach

Most tourists will flock to the beaches at Copacabana and Ipanema, so avoid them. Instead, grab a surfboard (and surf instructor, if needed) and head to Prainha Beach, which has over 700m of white sand. The secluded bay, smaller crowds, and forested hills will make your stay at the beach a relaxing one. Once you’re done shredding some waves, grab a bite at one of the beachside restaurants that serve the catch of the day.

Be a guest

To avoid the Olympics rush at restaurants, especially the more popular ones, have a nice dinner with friendly locals through EatWith.com (a community that invites travellers to dine with locals). Traditional food, drinks and new friends will make your EatWith experience unforgettable.

Drink caipirinhas

The national cocktail of Brazil, caipirinhas are made with cachaca, sugar, and lime. Incredibly popular with tourists and locals alike, the drink is served at every restaurant and bar. Be cautious and pace yourself. Younger locals down the beverage quite quickly. That’s because practice makes perfect.

Breakfast at Park Laje

At the base of Floresta da Tijuca, about a km away from Jardim Botânico, Park Lage is the definition of picturesque. If you are inclined towards the arts, you may find the mansion at the park ideal for a date.

It is home to the School of Visual Arts (Escola de Artes Visuais), which hosts free art exhibitions and performances. If you don’t have a date, consider having breakfast at Park Laje. The park’s café, which operates from inside the French-style mansion, is set against a scenic backdrop — a rainforest that is home to monkeys and colourful toucans

Hippy Fair

Known by locals as the Feira Hippie de Ipanema, Rio’s Hippy Fair is a nice way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon shopping for souvenirs and local trinkets. Rain or shine, the fair has over 700 stalls that sell an assortment of products, and nearly all of them accept credit cards. Not only is it a great place to find authentic Brazilian crafts, but it also has local street food around its periphery. Give in to your inner shopaholic, you can never have enough trinkets.

Barra Shopping Mall

Located in Barra da Tijuca, west of the city, Barra is Brazil’s largest shopping mall. With over 700 stores, a plethora of dining options, multiple movie screens, and a health centre (read spa), you can spend an entire day in Barra.

Copacabana Night Market

Once evening falls in Copacabana, the streets come to life with a market which is open till midnight. Much smaller than the Hippy Fair, the night market at Copacabana is good for cheap souvenirs and a leisurely stroll along the beach. Performers also take to the street to earn tips.

(Abid Haque is a writer based in Washington DC)

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