Ride the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain

The other great Rio icon is Sugarloaf, the distinctive peak rising from the mouth of Guanabara Bay. A two-stage glass cable car carries you up for breathtaking 360-degree views, especially magical at sunset as the city lights begin to twinkle. It's a paid ticket and a memorable one. For the budget-minded, you can hike the first stage up Morro da Urca for free and pay only for the second leg, or simply enjoy the views from the base at Praia Vermelha. It pairs beautifully with a sunset. We'll explain the ticket and the money-saving half-hike option.