The African Heritage in Rio and Olympic Boulevard Walking Tour

We will meet in the lobby of the Belmond Copacabana Hotel. From there we will take a walk to the nearest subway station where our tour will begin.

Our journey begins at Praça Mauá, the starting point of Rio Branco Avenue and the city’s revitalized Port Zone. In 1910, this was the arrival point for ships carrying goods and travelers, shaping the city’s early international connections. Today, Praça Mauá is home to striking landmarks such as the Museum of Art of Rio (MAR) and the futuristic Museum of Tomorrow, designed by Santiago Calatrava

The Museum of Tomorrow rises over the bay. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, its futuristic, organic lines invite us to reflect on Rio’s future while acknowledging its African roots, essential to understanding the city’s past and identity.
Please note that we will not enter the musem.

From there, we stroll to Largo de São Francisco da Prainha, at the foot of Morro da Conceição. Before the construction of Rio’s port, this was a small beach called Prainha. Over the centuries, land reclamation erased the sand, but the spirit of the place remains. The square is named after the Church of São Francisco da Prainha, built in 1696 in the Jesuit Baroque style and entrusted to the Third Order of Saint Francis of Penance in 1704. Walking here, you can almost feel the echoes of centuries of faith, community, and resilience.

Next, we arrive at Pedra do Sal, a short distance from the square, one of the most vibrant cultural spots in Rio. Once a landing point for enslaved Africans who unloaded salt from ships, this rock became the heart of Little Africa, where communal houses known as zungus preserved traditions and nurtured a sense of community. Over the years, Pedra do Sal became a cradle for samba and choro music, hosting legendary musicians such as Donga, João da Baiana, Pixinguinha, and Heitor dos Prazeres. From its base at Largo do João da Baiana, stone steps carved into the rock lead to Morro da Conceição, offering breathtaking views and a tangible sense of history.

Our tour continues to Cais do Valongo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important monuments of African heritage in the Americas. Once the main landing site for enslaved Africans in Rio, it stands as a powerful reminder of the city’s past and the resilience of its people. Walking here, you can sense the weight of history, as well as the spirit of celebration and survival that has shaped Rio’s identity.

Finally, we reach the Boulevard Olímpico, a modern promenade along the revitalized Port Zone. Here, contemporary murals and public art honor Rio’s rich cultural diversity, linking the city’s historic roots with its dynamic present. It’s a perfect spot to reflect on the journey we’ve taken, connecting the past and present through stories, music, and art.

This walking tour, lasting approximately 3 to 3.5 hours, is a journey through time, culture, and music — a chance to feel the heartbeat of Rio through its African heritage.