Bairro de Santa Teresa (Santa Teresa Neighborhood) is a charming district dating from the 18th Century, with a small-town feel, and different from any other neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro. The best part to visit is the area around Largo dos Guimarães (Guimarães Square), in the heart of the Santa Teresa district.
Located on a hill and home to many artists, Santa Teresa is frequently called by French people the Montmartre of Rio, an allusion to the artistic neighborhood of Paris.
Best days to visit Santa Teresa Neighborhood
Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or Fridays (in that order of preference).
Best time to visit
1 – 5 p.m., when Santa Teresa neighborhood is most vibrant, with live music at a couple of restaurants on the days above mentioned.
Worst day to visit
Monday – the overlook at Parque das Ruínas (Ruins Park) is closed, as well as some shops, café/restaurants, and other commercial establishments.
How to visit Santa Teresa Neighborhood
Option 1) Stay around Largo dos Guimarães, the 250-meter- (270-yard-) area extending from Bar do Mineiro (Minas Gerais cuisine) to Restaurante Espírito Santa (Amazon cuisine) on Almirante Alexandrino Street. (See Santa Teresa map in Chapter 4 of My Rio Travel Guide PDF e-book).) Visit the artsy shops, watch an acoustic concert, or have a meal (or a drink) at a café/restaurant.
Note: for the live music pocket concert, go to Bar do Marcô (Rua Almirante Alexandrino, 412) to listen to the concert from the start (Fri., 3 – 7 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. and holidays, 2 – 5 p.m., R$5; US$2.50; €2). Limited menu, but with some typical Brazilian selections such as Feijoada, Moqueca, and Bobó de Camarão.
Alternatively, try Bar do Mineiro, for great settings and food, but no music. Rua Paschoal Carlos Magno, 99.
Read about places of interest and attractions in Santa Teresa as well as in other districts by getting a copy of My Rio Travel Guide e-book in PDF format.
