A sunny Sunday in the city

You wake up to the twittering birds and tucans outside the rooms at our Bed&Breakfast Casa579, you glance at the Christ the Redeemer statue that almost seems to sparkle in the bright sun and over a delicious piece of chocolate cake and a coffee you think: What am I going to do on this sunny Sunday? Lucky for you, giving recommendations and coming up with an itinerary that suits your individual interests is one of our specialties! This time the itinerary combines the natural beauty and the metropolitan part of the city and consists of one of the carioca's top leisure activities: exercising (which includes showing off the results at the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema later on). 

First stop: Parque Lage

Next to the botanical garden lies the beautiful old building of Parque Lage, surrounded by the woods of the Tijuca National Parque and at the foot of the Christ the Redeemer statue. Nowadays a School of Visual Arts, Parque Lage's history goes back to the 16th century. The park is especially worth a visit on Sunday mornings for an abundant breakfast for only R$20. Seated around the pool at tables or on comfortable cushions you have an amazing view of Christ the Redeemer. To walk the breakfast off with a stroll, the various trails and stunning architecture of the park invite you to spend another good hour enjoying the scenery. The small green area in front of the building are perfect for a small picnic or for a quick sun bath. For more active visitors, the park provides a 2 1/2-long trail leading all the way up to the Christ statue. You are traveling with kids? The park is the perfect spot to run around, explore the nature, and observe the different types of fish that are held in the aquarium inside a rock. 
Curiosity: You might remember Parque Lage from the music video "Beautiful" by Snoop Dogg and Pharell. 

                     
Important information:
Opening hours: 08:00-18:00 every day
Please visit the official website for more detailed information on the School of Visual Arts and on the history of the building.
How to get there from Casa579:
Take the kombi outside the door to Largo do Machado and catch the 569 to Jardim Botanico. Get off at the first stop after the bus has turned away from the lagoa.

Second stop: Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas  
               
Walk out of Parque Lage to the left and take the next street (Rua General Tasso Fragoso) to the right. The lagoon that you already spotted from the bus lies right ahead of you and you can choose whether to go left or right. With a circumference of 7.8 km, the lagoa touches on the neighborhoods of Botafogo, Copacabana, Ipanema, Gavea, Jardim Botanico and Humaita. It is a fancy residencial area due to its fantastic view and central location. Besides Flamengo Park, and Copacabana and Ipanema coast sidewalk, it is the main spot for the daily carioca workout. Along the way you are able to buy a refreshing agua de coco or other drinks and snacks. If you are not a big fan of walking or running, the bicycle stands allow you to rent bikes on an hourly rate which makes exploring the lagoon much faster. 
Once you have walked about half way around the lagoa, you will be able to access Ipanema beach. 


Third stop: Garota de Ipanema Restaurant

After spending a good three-four hours exploring Parque Lage and walking around the Lagoa, you will probably be ready for some refreshments and a snack. If you are already at Ipanema beach, you might as well take advantage of the opportunity and go for a snack at the famous restaurant Garota de Ipanema (Rua Vinícius de Moraes 49). This place is where the famous song "Garota de Ipanema" was written and its atmosphere is most attractive. Even though mainly visited by tourists, this bar is a must-see!


Fourth stop: Ipanema beach - people and sunset-watching
                           
What better place could there be to relax and tan than Ipanema beach? While enjoying the still very warm afternoon sun and the first caipirinha of the night, you have the chance to do some of the famous "people watching" (also, reading a book at the beach will immediately identify you as a foreigner). Brazilians are not for nothing known for their beautifully built bodies and people-watching is considered to be absolutely normal. When already at Ipanema, you might as well stay for the amazing view of the sunset you get from there and enjoy the perfect ending to a sunny Sunday in the city!