Find the Best Things to Do in Urca

About Urca

As relaxed, tranquil and peaceful as the rest of Rio de Janeiro is fast-paced, hectic and full of noise, Urca is a gentile neighborhood located right at the foot of Sugar Loaf mountain. Despite its big name attraction, Urca remains pleasingly free of high rise hotels, and home to handsome historical buildings.

See & Do

Urca may not be Rio de Janeiro's most famous neighborhood, but it is home to one of the city's best-known attractions, in the towering form of Sugar Loaf mountain.  

Cable cars make the dizzying ascent from the base in Urca itself, stopping first at the smaller Morro da Urca before climbing to Sugar Loaf's peak; while those with substantial stamina can take a mountain trail up to the first cable cat station. 

Eat

Urca boasts little by the way of formal dining restaurants, but its relaxed botequins (informal bar-restaurants) are some of the best in the city. 

The stand out botequim is Bar e Restaurante Urca - a simple spot by the bay that has become a favorite haunt for local celebrities as well as a mix of locals and tourists.

Party

Urca is not the place to come for hedonistic partying, but its informal bars are great places to come with friends for eating, drinking and general merrymaking. 

Garota da Urca is a popular place for food and drinks by the beach, and is a good spot for early evening nibbles and beers or caipirinhas before heading off to some of the lively nightspots of nearby Botafogo.