Last Updated on 17.09.2023 by Iliyan
You cannot go to Rio de Janeiro and not see one of the biggest monuments in the world. The statue of Christ the Redeemer looms tall on Corcovado hill, which is located on the territory of the Tijuca National Park in Rio de Janeiro. The 38 meter (8 meter pedestal) statue of Christ the Redeemer turned not only into a symbol of the city, but of Brazil.
The statue of Christ the Redeemer towers at 710 meters over one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. It is practically visible from almost every point of Rio. Because of its magnificence it needs to be the top thing on your list of monuments to visit when in Rio de Janeiro. No wonder it was included on the list of the New7Wonders of the World in 2007.
How to get to the top
- Van: minibuses leave from Copacabana (Praça do Lido) or Largo do Machado (metro station). They get up to the top of the hill; the price includes tickets to the Christ the Redeemer statue. You can choose a departure time and purchase tickets online here.
- Car: it is possible to travel by rented car to Paineiras Station, where you can park. After that you can continue on foot or get on one of the authorized minibuses to take you to the top. Parking is restricted for up to 150 automobiles.
- On foot: walking on the path going through the forest is not recommended because of the danger of being robbed or attacked. If you do decide to do so, it usually takes between 2-3 hours and it is best to leave in the morning before it gets too hot.
- Train: the main and most popular type of transport is by train on an electrified railway. The way to the top takes about 20 minutes, while going up you can enjoy the picturesque beauty of untouched deep forests and granite mountain rocks. The train leaves from the Cosme Velho station at the bottom of the mountain and gets directly to the top, where you can use escalators or walk by foot to the observation platform. It’s interesting that the railway line was introduced in the year of 1884 and was an exceptional technical advancement for its time. It was used for the transport of building materials for the construction of the statue. You can buy tickets online here.
We chose to travel by train and we were very pleased. Our visit was during the low season and the price we paid was R$ 65 (≈ €15-16). In a high season it costs R$ 79 (≈ €18.50-19).
Once you get to the top you will be charmed by the view that you get from the observation platform. The incredible platform reveals before your eyes the surrounding mountains, beaches, ocean and urban surroundings. The way the mountains meet the ocean, the Ipanema and Copacabana beaches and the rain forest, which enwraps the whole city and intertwines with the city streets is remarkable.
To take good photos you need to be patient, because the crowds can be unbearable at times. It was crazy seeing people literally lying on the ground trying to take the perfect shot.
The best time to visit the Christ the Redeemer statue
There is no ideal time for a visit. It really depends on your priorities. I can only advise you to avoid the high season from December to March. Try to go as early as possible in the morning, where there still aren’t a lot of visitors. Also the weather would not be as hot as it gets around lunch.
Check the weather forecast carefully, because the weather in Rio tends to change a lot. Avoid visiting the statue during a stormy day, because there is the possibility of you getting disappointed. The ideal moment is when the sky is clear and with no clouds. We had to wait two whole days, but eventually the visit of the Christ the Redeemer statue was an amazing unforgettable experience.
