Walking Tour of Santa Teresa and Selaron Steps by Foot

Meet us at Cine Odeon right in front of Cinelândia Metro Station. The common way to get up to Santa Teresa is by Tram through the Lapa Arcs (Arcos ... See more

Meet us at Cine Odeon right in front of Cinelândia Metro Station. The common way to get up to Santa Teresa is by Tram through the Lapa Arcs (Arcos da Lapa) a former aqueduct, but the tram line is temporarily deactivated, so we go up by bus. From there the little cobblestone streets invite you to be acquainted with the charming neighborhood of Santa Teresa. The neighborhood has a complete different vibe from the rest of Rio. Here Old Rio comes alive. Santa Teresa is a neighborhood where casualty and tradition meet.

It is full of artists who find in Santa Teresa an inspiring scenery and way of life that helps them create their art and work on their craft whatever that is. At night, it hosts the bohemian crowd of Rio, who dodge the most popular places and go for the lesser known little spots amongst Santa Teresa’s inspiring architecture.

In Santa Teresa there is a wild variety of interesting places to get to know. From the Ruins Park (Parque das Ruínas) where you get to see one of the most beautiful views of the lesser known Rio, to the random exhibits organized by the different artists’ workshops around the neighborhood.

Leave Santa Teresa’s treasured little secrets behind as you walk down the Selaron stairway steps to reach Lapa. The beautiful steps done in ceramic by artist Jorge Selarón are one of a kind. The Chilean Selarón was in love with Rio and that love shows on these very steps. The pieces of ceramic were placed on top of the paintings done by the locals who were decorating the stairs in show of support for the National Soccer Team in 1994’s World Cup, won by Brazil.

The Selarón Steps, the Ruins Park, the bars and the cobblestone streets are just a bit of what Santa Teresa is all about, but walk through its streets and you’ll see why the neighborhood is one of Rio’s hidden gems. See less