Hotels near Christ the Redeemer

The most photographed of all things to do in Rio de Janeiro sits 710 metres up Corcovado mountain, arms open over the South Zone. Christ the Redeemer is 30 metres tall on an 8-metre pedestal, was finished in 1931, and is clad in thousands of small soapstone tiles that a maintenance crew still replaces by hand. Two routes go up: the Trem do Corcovado cog train from Cosme Velho, a 20-minute climb through forest, or an official van from Largo do Machado, Copacabana or Paineiras.

Combined train and entry runs about R$ 110 (roughly 17 EUR) on weekdays and more at weekends, and slots are timed - you book a specific half hour and turn up for it. The summit sits inside the Tijuca massif, protected under the UNESCO Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea listing. Crowds peak between 10:00 and 14:00. Cloud, not the queue, is the real problem.

Pro Tip: Check the Corcovado webcam before you leave and book the 08:00 train slot. The platform is quieter, the light is better facing east, and if cloud rolls in you still have the whole day to reshuffle.