Made famous by the bossa nova song “The Girl from Ipanema,” this iconic beach is the heart of Rio’s social scene. The golden sand stretches for two kilometres, flanked by the dramatic silhouettes of the Dois Irmãos mountains.

Each section of the beach attracts different crowds — surfers, families, the LGBTQ+ community, and sports enthusiasts all have their spot. The Sunday sunset ritual, where everyone applauds as the sun disappears behind the mountains, is pure magic.

Pro tip: Grab a fresh coconut water from a beach vendor, rent a chair and umbrella for a few reais, and watch the sunset from Posto 9 — the most vibrant section of the beach.