Parque Lage — Attraction in Região Geográfica Imediata do Rio de Janeiro

Parque Lage is a true gem in Rio de Janeiro and an absolute must-visit for anyone seeking a blend of nature, history, and culture in the heart of the city. Nestled at the foot of Corcovado Mountain, this park offers a peaceful escape from the urban bustle, surrounded by lush Atlantic rainforest where you might spot monkeys, toucans, and a variety of exotic plants. The highlight of Parque Lage is its stunning neo-Romanesque mansion, which now houses the Escola de Artes Visuais (School of Visual Arts). The mansion’s elegant architecture, complete with a picturesque courtyard and pool, is a perfect backdrop for photos and often hosts art exhibitions and cultural events. The on-site Plage Café is a fantastic spot to relax with a coffee or breakfast, offering views of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in the distance. Wandering through the park, you’ll find beautifully landscaped gardens inspired by European designs, tranquil lakes, charming bridges, and even an enchanting grotto with stalactites and stalagmites. For adventure seekers, Parque Lage is also the starting point for the scenic hiking trail up to Christ the Redeemer, providing a unique perspective of Rio’s natural beauty. Entry is free, making it accessible to everyone. Whether you’re interested in art, photography, a leisurely stroll, or simply soaking in the serene atmosphere, Parque Lage will leave you enchanted. Highly recommended for families, couples, and solo travelers alike-don’t miss this magical corner of...

Talk about a diamond in the rough! It was hard to fathom a tranquil, tropical park being in the bustling city of Rio, but it definitely exists. We had a few daylight hours to spend before our final night's dinner, so my spouse and I hopped in an Uber which was insanely affordable. Pick up on the other hand was a pain as the street the park is on is heavily congested.

THE PARK: Named after the industrialist landowner Enrique Lage, the park is just over 128 acres in size and abuts Corcovado Mountain. Look up and you'll see the side of the Christ The Redeemer Statue.

Cobblestone paths wind through gardens designed in 1840 by John Tyndale, huge trees and thick tropical vegetation. The central building was the former mansion of Mr. & Mrs. Lage and is now a visual arts school and cafe.

Other fairytale attractions within the park are a walk-in aquarium that looks like a hobbit's residence, a walk-in castle-like tower complete with a hidden area below where a couple was necking probably amongst creepy crawlies, a fallen tree over a pond for great photo ops, white-painted cement benches and tables great for picnicking, and a newer-looking gazebo.

TIPS: Even with all the stagnant ponds, there were no mosquitos.

Entry is free.

OVERALL: Nice place to spend about 2 hours out...

Would give it 5 if it wasn't for my experience at the restaurant. The only way to enter inside the nice old building was to get a reservation at the restaurant. This includes if you want to take a 5 min pictures. However, you can enter the park and view the lovely caves, bridges, trees, exotic fruits (large jackfruit) and nice trails. Not enough benches, not enough washrooms for such a large place. If you are in a large group your experience will be better than me (restaurant will earn more on 2 or more heads). I lost 1hr to wait in line to receive a watsup message that will inform me when to enter. The lady told me 15-30min. A single lady was complaining she was not called and I feel she waited over 1.5 hrs. There was only shades to the worker (only 1 they can hire 2 or make the process way easier). I walked around for 3.5 hrs and no message. The lady apologized but did not offer me to enter as she did for the Brazilian women who complained. Anyways, if you are alone, don't bother supporting this business who doesn't respect its clients. Meals are expensive but I guess you can buy water for 9 reals. Just walk around the park and hope the greedy owners of the restaurent think of their single tourist and improve the ticket process and offer some decent shade for...