Escadaria de Selarón

Escadaria Selarón (Selaron steps)is a set of world-famous steps, work of Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón who claims it as "my tribute to the Brazilian people". It contains more than 2000 tiles from 60 different countries, has a length of 125 metres and 215 steps.

He started it in 1990 when he settled down in Rio and continues creating it by changing some tiles for others, so the steps are alive in some way.

He also paints and was famous because of it before starting the escadaria. In most of his paintings you can see a pregnant black woman, and sometimes he paints that woman with his own face.

- Location: Manoel Carneiro Street, Santa Teresa.

Catedral de São Sebastião

The Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro (Catedral de São Sebastião) is the seat of the cardinal archbishop of Rio. It is dedicated to Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of the city. The current church was built between 1964 and 1979 and replaced a series of old churches that had served as cathedrals since 1676. It is located in the centre of the city. Conical in form and with a 96 metres (315 ft) internal diameter and an overall height of 75 metres (246 ft), it has a standing-room capacity of 20,000 people.

The cathedral's four rectilinear stained glass windows soar 64 metres (210 ft) from floor to ceiling.

- Location: República de Chile Avenue, 245. Downtown.
- Openning hours: Wednesday from 9am to 4pm. Weekends from 9am to 12pm (noon).

Arcos da Lapa

The Lapa district is notorious for the Lapa Arcs, it is considered to be the cradle to Rio's bohemia since the 1950's. By that time, its restaurants and cabarets were sought by artists, academics, politicians and diplomats. That is why it is called "Montmartre Carioca".

Today, the samba, MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) and electronic music harmoniously co-exist in the bars that stretch over the Mem de Sá, Riachuelo and Lavradio Streets. But the nightlife is not the only reason for visiting Lapa. The rich architectural complexes date back to early last century and were preserved by the district's restoration, since it recovered most of the buildings.

- Location: West-Center zone.