![Corcovado (Monte Cristo), Rio de Janeiro](/img/gd_attr/361.jpg)
Corcovado (Monte Cristo), Rio de Janeiro
Corcovado, meaning "hunchback" in Portuguese, is a mountain in central Rio de Janeiro. The 710-meter (2,329 feet) granite peak is located in the Tijuca Forest, a national park. Sometimes confused with nearby Sugarloaf Mountain, the Corcovado hill lies just west of the city center but is wholly within the city limits and visible from great distances. It is known worldwide for the 38-meter (125 feet) statue of Jesus atop its peak, entitled Cristo Redentor or "Christ the Redeemer".
The most popular attraction of Corcovado mountain is the statue and viewing platform at its peak, drawing over 300,000 visitors per year. From the peak's platform the panoramic view includes downtown Rio, Sugarloaf Mountain, the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (lake), Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Estádio do Maracanã (Maracanã Stadium), and several of Rio's favelas. Cloud cover is common in Rio and the view from the platform is sometimes obscured. Sunny days are recommended for optimal viewing.
Why You Should Visit:
As one of the signature world sites, you must see it. Great view of the city. People come for the "Cristo Redentor", but the view of Rio is equally amazing.
Tip:
Regardless of the visibility, go up there. Though the view may get patchy, seeing the mountains peek through clouds feels special and the statue is impressive – come rain, hail or shine.
The train up to the top takes around 30 mins each way. Or you could just scale the mountain... yup, people actually mountain climb up here.
If you do go by train, make sure to book tickets in advance and allow at least 2-3 hrs (while exercising patience and good humour).
They make great caipirinhas at the station so if you have a bit of a wait just get yourself a drink and take a load off.
If you're afraid of heights, you still can do it! Just pop a calming pill before the train and you'll be fine.
You can also take a van (not the train) so you can stop by the Mirante Dona Marta observatory.
The most popular attraction of Corcovado mountain is the statue and viewing platform at its peak, drawing over 300,000 visitors per year. From the peak's platform the panoramic view includes downtown Rio, Sugarloaf Mountain, the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (lake), Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Estádio do Maracanã (Maracanã Stadium), and several of Rio's favelas. Cloud cover is common in Rio and the view from the platform is sometimes obscured. Sunny days are recommended for optimal viewing.
Why You Should Visit:
As one of the signature world sites, you must see it. Great view of the city. People come for the "Cristo Redentor", but the view of Rio is equally amazing.
Tip:
Regardless of the visibility, go up there. Though the view may get patchy, seeing the mountains peek through clouds feels special and the statue is impressive – come rain, hail or shine.
The train up to the top takes around 30 mins each way. Or you could just scale the mountain... yup, people actually mountain climb up here.
If you do go by train, make sure to book tickets in advance and allow at least 2-3 hrs (while exercising patience and good humour).
They make great caipirinhas at the station so if you have a bit of a wait just get yourself a drink and take a load off.
If you're afraid of heights, you still can do it! Just pop a calming pill before the train and you'll be fine.
You can also take a van (not the train) so you can stop by the Mirante Dona Marta observatory.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Rio de Janeiro. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Corcovado (Monte Cristo) on Map
Sight Name: Corcovado (Monte Cristo)
Sight Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (See walking tours in Rio de Janeiro)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (See walking tours in Rio de Janeiro)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Create Your Own Walk in Rio de Janeiro
Creating your own self-guided walk in Rio de Janeiro is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Rio de Janeiro Beach Walk
The Copacabana and Ipanema beaches are two of the main reasons Rio is so famous around the world. While Copacabana is a year-round tourist hub, famed for its incredible New Year’s Eve celebrations, the Ipanema and Leblon neighborhoods have the cleanest, safest, most beautiful beaches in the city, and are the favorite playgrounds of Rio de Janeiro’s upper-middle class.
Start your tour with a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Start your tour with a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Rio's Top Religious Sites
Due to the legacy of the Portuguese in language, religion, and law, Rio de Janeiro has had a rich and influential Catholic tradition. Until the mid-20th century almost all Brazilians were – at least nominally – Catholic, and today the country’s religious sites, both classic and modern, impress with their skill, creativity and devotion.
Founded in 1590 by Benedictine monks from Bahia, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Founded in 1590 by Benedictine monks from Bahia, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Rio de Janeiro Introduction Walking Tour
Rio de Janeiro is the capital city of the state of Rio de Janeiro. It was founded in 1565 by the Portuguese. It was the capital of the State of Brazil of the Portuguese Empire from 1763 until 1822.
When Brazil became independent of Portugal in 1822, Rio de Janeiro became the capital of the Empire of Brazil. In 1889, Brazil became a republican nation, with Rio de Janeiro as its capital. But in... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
When Brazil became independent of Portugal in 1822, Rio de Janeiro became the capital of the Empire of Brazil. In 1889, Brazil became a republican nation, with Rio de Janeiro as its capital. But in... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
16 Uniquely Brazilian Souvenirs to Bring Home from Rio de Janeiro
Other than the sun, passion and football, for which Brazil is renowned and which cannot be fitted into one's luggage, picking a memorable gift from Rio is a tough job. And this is not because of the lack of suitable things to choose from, but because of their abundance. Indeed, there're...