Escadaria Selarón

78439 reviews

R. Manuel Carneiro - Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20241-120, Brazil

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About

Escadaria Selarón is a Tourist attraction located at R. Manuel Carneiro - Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20241-120, Brazil. It has received 78439 reviews with an average rating of 4.6 stars.

Photos

Hours

MondayOpen 24 hours
TuesdayOpen 24 hours
WednesdayOpen 24 hours
ThursdayOpen 24 hours
FridayOpen 24 hours
SaturdayOpen 24 hours
SundayOpen 24 hours

F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The address of Escadaria Selarón: R. Manuel Carneiro - Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20241-120, Brazil

  • Escadaria Selarón has 4.6 stars from 78439 reviews

  • Tourist attraction

  • "What a cool story"

    "This beautiful mosaic of a staircase is almost dreamlike"

    "The Escadaria Selarón is a mesmerizing testament to art, culture, and vibrant expression in the heart of Rio de Janeiro"

    "In my opinion, the attraction 'by the way' I visited the place on December 2 when the Brazilian football team had a match"

    "I was here on mid September of 2022 and this place was full of people mostly tourist with their your guides so at no point did I felt unsafe or worried"

Reviews

  • Sara Govero

What a cool story. This is a fantastic way to spend a few hours in Rio. These are the Selarón steps done by Jorge Selarón. In 1990, Jorge started fixing and painting the dilapidated steps outside his home. Neighbors mocked his color choices of the Brazilian flag but he persisted. This is vibrant testament to artistic dedication, and now offers tourists a captivating experience in Rio. Jorge Selarón's transformative work on these 215 steps, adorned with tiles from 60+ countries, reflects his unwavering passion. The evolving masterpiece invites visitors to explore the Lapa and Santa Teresa neighborhoods of Rio. This relentless pursuit of art creates an unforgettable and ever-changing cultural landmark.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
No

  • Abdulrahman Alyaarobi

This beautiful mosaic of a staircase is almost dreamlike. The detail of each and every tile is impeccable. Be sure to read up on the artist and his bio beforehand. It will give you a greater appreciation of his work. Also a fantastic spot for one-of-a-kind photos. The steps are stunning, all 215 of them! and they go on much further than you realise when you set off walking up them, they curve to the right and carry on. They are covered in ceramic tiles form all over the world. You might ask yourself why would I want to se a staircase? Well the artwork along the road to it is worth it but the tiled staircase with so many custom and unique tiles could keep you there for half a day.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

  • Ignacio Lopes

The Escadaria Selarón is a mesmerizing testament to art, culture, and vibrant expression in the heart of Rio de Janeiro. My visit to this iconic staircase was a visual feast—each step adorned with vividly colored tiles, creating a stunning mosaic that tells a story of creativity and passion. The blend of cultural influences and the artist's dedication make it a must-see attraction. Exploring the Escadaria Selarón was a captivating experience, offering not only a unique artistic perspective but also a glimpse into the soul of Rio. A truly inspiring and photogenic spot that adds a burst of color and energy to any visit.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No

  • Vanalai

In my opinion, the attraction 'by the way' I visited the place on December 2 when the Brazilian football team had a match. So on the evening of my visit there were lots of young people drinking here. Probably better to go during the day. People are lazy and do pictures on the bottom. So the bottom of the stairs will probably always be more crowded than the top, but the view from the top isn't that great. The interesting thing about this attraction are the tiles - different types, different pictures, perhaps from different countries.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No

  • Samuel David Morales

I was here on mid September of 2022 and this place was full of people mostly tourist with their your guides so at no point did I felt unsafe or worried. The design and arts of it are amazing, hopefully you will be able to snatch some local afro music. You are for sure to find Caipirinha first hand made by locals in their very homes. All pictures will be stunning. However, I do not advice any tourist to go there by itself, please try to go with a tour guided group. This place is a must for Rio!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Jacel Evans

The famous stairs! So this is free to go to. Don’t let the travel guides fool you. I will say this tho. WATCH YOUR BELONGINGS!!! There are a lot of homeless and other people watching you. Please pay attention to your surroundings. Now aside from that this is the place you need to take pictures just to say you did it. It’s pretty crowded with natives and tourists so take them quick. They also have people selling all kinds of stuff nearby. These are mine I hope you enjoy.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Rock Creek Design Build Remodel

Wow! What a fun, colorful place to see in Rio. Definitely a safe place to visit, but some of the surrounding areas are a bit questionable. Just take a taxi or Uber to here and you’ll be fine. There are a few stores here that sell souvenirs. You can even get a custom photo tile made quickly of your photo on the steps if you want. From here you can walk 2 blocks to the Aquaduct, and from there to the church. All very close and safe to walk to.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Amanda Marie

It’s cool to see but not worth it. After seeing the steps we got an Uber to leave the area. The Uber was stopped by a man with a gun and we were held up and robbed at gunpoint. I’d say be mindful of your belongings while there but we were in an Uber where we thought we were secure (we think he had watched us while we waited for the Uber). I don’t usually write reviews but I’m hoping this review helps to warn others/ make others aware.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Arash Khosravi

A lovely piece of art work and history to explore. There are so many different tiles on this staircase and when we were there on a Wednesday night, there was a three piece band playing and stalls selling caipirinhas. Would recommend visiting to see the art and climb the stairs - go to the to fit the best view. 4* because it does get very busy and crowded so try and time your visit (morning or later in the evening).
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Graziella Bedenik

This is an interesting visit if you generally like history and fun facts. There are tiles from all over the world and some are funny, others have a social aspect to them, others are just beautiful. There aren't a lot of steps and you can take cute pictures. The place around the Escadaria seems to be a little dangerous and tends to be smelly/dirty so be careful. Also there were a lot of souvenirs at a great price.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • André Lemos

Iconic place in the neighbourhood of Santa Tereza in Rio de Janeiro. Stairs is a masterpiece created by a Chilean artist Jorge Selarón and still being building or renovated. Very nice to go through the stairs, check the pieces, find your country, soccer team or any other piece that might be related to you or something that you are related to among many many pieces of history. Totally worth and it is for free.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Michaela Natal

Very beautiful steps, so many fun tiles! You will get lost trying to look at each one. A very cool picture spot (obviously). It will be difficult getting a picture without any people in the background, however. There was a lady going around offering to take your picture and she would yell at people in the background to move, so you could pay to do it that way lol. We were there at 3pm on a Sunday in July.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Kitty

The work that went into decorating these steps is amazing. I could spend a lot of time looking at all the tiles and mosaics. This is a great place to take photos and to sit and relax or chill with friends. It is a lively area in the evening. No matter the time of day, there will be other people, and they will be in the background of your photos. There is also cool street art around the corner.
Visited on
Public holiday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • David Robles

If you already booked a your for one day in Rio, do not worry, they will bring you there! This escaderia is over 200+ stairs and you can take lots of pictures with beautiful backgrounds. There is a common photo you'd like to take, but there is usually a long queue (at the beginning), my recommendation is to go up and you'll find better spots for pictures
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Bir Git

Wonderful sightseeing spot! Very creative and colorful. For me one of the most important stops when in Rio de Janeiro Most of the countries have its own tile with creative design/s. Sometimes very crowded, but that’s no big surprise. Also a nice spot to buy some souvenirs from the vendors on the street or enjoying a cold drink in one of the numberless bars next to it. And maybe you see some small monkeys jumping around

  • K M

Very very cool to see all of the tiles. There was so much diversity that you really could never see them all. Neat that there are some from other countries as well. If there are lots of people around it is very safe to go to the top of the stairs and highly recommended. If it is quiet it might be better to stay near the lower steps.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • KC Brown

First, this is A MUST SEE if you come to Rio! Pros: A lot of Art, Music(see Bob Marley), food & drinks all along the pathways and steps. Plenty of photo opportunities along the steps. Very vibrant and colorful! Cons: A lot of people. Very crowded. It is kind of sketchy area, so be careful. Travel with someone if you can. Protect your things. Pay attention to when you go (rush hour: a lot of traffic around the area)

  • BiVi

Social media photography and videos spot. It is a beautiful art work. That’s all you can do. Be patient. There’s a lot of people going up and down. We even offered help to take pictures to other tourists and locals. There’s a lot of steps to go up, which I did to meet my steps goals in my exercise app. The area is ok, it isn’t the safest place in the area. But you go and take your pictures and then you keep going.

  • Ronald Rees

This is a crowded artistic endeavor of a Chilean artist that is unique and vibrant. The Escadaria Selarón is well worth a visit but if you are in your own transportation parking is difficult. The colors are very intense and the steps are an easy climb but not recommended in rainy weather. Carry some water and enjoy the view.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

  • Jacqueline Lemaire

I think this was my favorite site in Rio. There was just so much going on and so many families hanging around. Its a fun place to people watch and get a drink from one of the vendors. The stairs themselves were beautiful and interesting to walk up and down. It was an experience in itself and the kids loved playing there.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Jesus Hernandez

A beautiful landmark. A chileanian artist celeron didn't like that way the escaleras the steps look so he started putting tiles to make them look a bit better every one thought that he was insane but at the end lot's of his neighbors joined him to help him finish the project that millions of people can enjoy now.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Ana Dz

Cool place to take colorful pics. It will be a very short visit since to go all the way up won’t take more than 20 min. Is better to go with day light, otherwise the pics are not so great with the street lights. An small negative point might be that the surrounding streets don’t feel very safe at night, specially if you’re on your own.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

  • Oscar Granados

One of the more obvious stops when in Rio, the stairs & artwork are bright, beautiful, and colorful just like the city. Beware the crowds and if you want to take a picture it’ll probably be impossible to not catch someone else on the frame unless you’re good at photoshopping..
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No

  • Iván Montejo-Martínez

This is one of the newer spots that tourists have learned to love. Beautiful and colorful! I bought here the most overpriced, watered-down Caipirinha I had in Brazil - but it was totally worth it, it's all part of the experience. It gets pretty crowded, so keep your stuff close!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Full Circle Phenomenal Jesse Hart

Very beautiful and unique place to visit. Many people were there in the afternoon, so it’s best to go early in the morning. Worth seeing and experiencing (doesn’t cost you anything but your time). There are so many small and subtle details to this work of art if you take your time and look closely. Enjoy!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait

  • Alex C

Beautiful! Just make sure you walk up otherwise you won't see anyrhing. Friendly street cats, drinks and caiparinhas available. Tourist shops at the bottom and if you get to the top you can continue up to Santa Teresa which is lovely. Plenty of people talking photos, keep a wary eye of your surroundings but you should be fine because of how busy it is.

  • Hitesh Kumar Sahoo

Loved this place and the art. Featured in Snoopdog's music video Beautiful. Steps are made up of tiles from different countries across the globe. I could spot few from India . Tips: Try to visit at night as you will see the real beauty of this place and also less crowd to bother you for pics . Please Like if you find this helpful.

  • Marius Telișcă

An important part of Rio de Janeiro. It must be seen, although it is very busy, many people stop by to take photos. Here you can have a caipirinha at 5 pesos, or to buy handcrafted jewelry. Be careful at your pockets because many people here don't come to see the stairs . Overall it is an experience that you must try when in Rio de Janeiro.

  • Eden Theron

Absolutely beautiful to see and explore. The staircase goes up quite a while so there is plenty to see in the art. Word of advice is to go early before it gets hot and crowded. There are a lot of people seeing a photo opportunity and it is hard to actually look at and appreciate the art of the staircase once it gets busy. More

  • Bernardo Engelke

Very beautiful. As someone from Rio, I went there the first time to show my girlfriend who is not from here. And I got very surprised. I should have gone before. It is very interesting. We really enjoyed seeing all the different tiles and it gets very pretty all the colors in the stair. I would recommend everyone to visit.

  • Avantia Damberg

This restaurant has so much more potential as it is on a prime location! Please step up your game by offering better food, better interior design and quicker service. The staff was kind but the cook was not doing a great job. At all. We had to go eat elsewhere.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait

  • Byron Weckworth

Super cool. You could spend all day looking at the different tiles and delighting in the details and imagery. But also a quick stroll up and down the stairs yields a worthy time commitment. Definitely worth checking out!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Yu Fa

Fun place with stairs pebbled with ceramic plates from all around the world, especially nice with a cheap glass of capirinha from a stand at the middle of the stairs. Can be a bit crowded at high season.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Jia Lin-Bothe

This was quite packed! There are a few snack spots in the middle of the stairs so that was very neat. We descended the steps, no wait. There was a long wait at the bottom of the steps for photos though.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • João Carmo

You know what it is. You've seen the photos everywhere and you're here to get your own. Enjoy. It's free, colourful, and crowded. My favourite part was finding little Easter Eggs in the mosaics.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Khalid Rahmani

Famous steps near one of the old neighbourhoods of Rio de Janeiro. The steps are decorated by tiles designed by Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón. Not suitable for people with mobilityu issues.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Tripi Me AroundTheWorldTrip

Very colourful and nice to have some insta pics. Some queue downstaira but if you go more up, there are more free space to take some pics. We walked in eighbouring streets, that were really strange and looked dangerous but we like to have more "fun" as usual tourist!!!

  • Lety

I thought it was a quick come and go but there were more stairs than I thought !! You definitely don't need a tour guide, it's free, we went on a Monday at 7pm fairly empty.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Jackie S

Amazing spot! I went on a cloudy day in October. There was a lot of people here but I was able to find someone friendly enough to take a pic for me! I’m a solo traveler!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Patrick Olden

Amazing tiled artwork that is well worth a visit, we walked from Ipanema to here and was nice to take in all Rio had to offer. Some of the surrounding areas are a little more rough, so would be wary if you are going to take any diversions while there.

  • Andrew Van Hao

It's cool, everyone goes here to do the touristy thing. I think it is average. Other places that I'd recommend to visit before coming here are Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacapana Beach, Ipanema Beach, Museu do Amanhã. - 2022/12/04

  • Kristin Caffrey

Eh... it's neat to see. But more just for a photo op. Crowded. You don't need more than 10 minutes here, and if you miss it, Rio has much better places to see
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Glen Wilcott

What a unique site! The amount of time and effort that went into creating this ever changing work of art is amazing. I found tiles from all over the world, and people for just as many countries visiting to see this site! Do not miss this! More

  • Ale Coto

It gets very crowded. Make sure to check if there's a line for picture taking, there's a few other spots other than the stairs to get good pictures.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No

  • Brandon Stadler

If you don't like crowds then I'm sorry, research the least crowded times and enjoy at your own pace. However we expected a crowd and enjoyed ourselves anyway! The historical value of the art work made us smile at how thoughtful and

  • lindsey cornish

Great to see. Go early before the crowds. Amazing street art around there, too. Being Carnival time, there were lots of people around, suffering from alcohol consumption, but it didn't deter from the magnificence of the work of art

  • Amro Bailey

It may be considered a work out for some climbing the stairs, but it was a pleasing experience where you can see different art types put together
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

  • Tim Schröder

Cool place but definitely one of the most tourist ones in Rio. It’s always full of people. Felt safe the whole time but watch your belongings.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Bobby Fit

Absolutely Incredible Staircase and Monument. 215 steps of history and one of the most famous ones in the world! So grateful for this trip to Rio! The 18 hour cumalitive flight was definitely worth it.

  • Tanisha Monroe

The area was very busy. It was nice to see all the different tiles donated from around the world. I even saw some from the United States.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Lewis Mindy

Extremely busy because it's so popular. You would need to get there fabulously early to avoid the crowds. Free. Lots of souvenirs, drinks and snacks available. Lots of street art too.
Visited on
Weekday

  • The Real Rafael Mixon

Use Uber to save tons on your visits around Rio. The taxi service is a lot higher. The Steps of Selaron are free to visit
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • MARTIN SOLANO

Just be aware of your surroundings. Stop at this gift shop where you can use bathroom for free and sample liquor shots.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Melina Rochi

I liked the place a lot, from an artístic and cultural perspective. It's beautiful. Nevertheless, I did not feel safe. The surrounding area was dark, and I couldn't find too much to do around.

  • Laura G

Very cool place to visit - it gets crazy busy and there's a huge line for pictures on different levels
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • EH

Beautiful tile works from all over the world. Too bad it’s overly crowded by tourists (including us). Be cautious about your belongings especially after dark.
Visited on
Weekday

  • Johnsen S

This is another must see place in Rio. Went there in the night. It's safe since there is a lot of security at the stairs. Grab a caipirinha on the streets and go enjoy the stairs.

  • clémence moreau

Beautiful, I’d recommend to go very early in the morning to have the stairs empty of tourists !
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Tanya Yarosh

Must visit when in Rio. The stairs are so beautiful with all those ceramic plates. So colorful
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Ryan Hobbs

Well worth a visit! Interesting story behind it and its transformed the area. Alot of tourists touts so be careful as always
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

  • G

very nice location. it gives the Brazilian vibes we all see on tv but it is very crowded
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Elif Bozyılan

Lovely lovely lovely! A street of art! Definitely a must see place, and getting inspiration is irresistible Went there at night so it was better without crazy crowds.

  • Maria Fernanda Chirinos

It doesn't take to long to finish this stairs but they are beautiful. So many hand made tiles and the story is also beautiful. A place for nice pictures and street art.

  • DJRolo813

Loved this & especially after reading the back story on how it became what it is...
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Lyan Coronado

Couldn’t find my country flag but the tiles and the details are simply beautiful!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Chardonnay Francis

Cool photo spot in Rio de Janeiro. Extremely crowded but very beautiful and worth the visit. It has tiles from pretty much all over the world displayed there.

  • Christopher Wiecek

Move on, nothing to see here. People lining up to take a picture on the stairs, colorful or otherwise, make me chuckle. Better areas nearby to explore.

  • Petr Vasicek

Come very early, maybe at 8am it's ok, if you want to take good pictures without people. It's a very spectacular set of stairs, very picturesque.

  • Fred V

Busy but still very beautiful and worth going for a look and reading more about the artist.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait

  • Ahmad A

It’s a great working You need to visit it take a picture
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Kathryn Whittemore

Beautiful spot!!! Very crowded and full of people trying to get "the perfect shot". Definitely recommend a visit if traveling to Rio More

  • Christianah Owolabi

Very beautiful!!! I recommend going early in the morning around 7am or 8am if you want crowdless photos. Absolutely stunning More

  • Adam Borja Garcia (Adán)

Great place for pics, when all the tourists are not there all at once. Maybe come here very early for better pictures More

  • John Bird

Good fun. You could spend ages here searching for various tiles. Great cafe/restaurant at the top on the left. More

  • James

Such a good experience, went right after the rain finished and it was empty! Enjoy the music at the top too

  • Syed Azim

Cool ,Vibrant, Exciting. Must Visit of Rio de Jeniero.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

  • Norbert Nowicki

Worth to visit and see. Nearby streets give some extra adrenaline rush.
Visited on
Weekend

  • Romina Kaboorani

Amazing artistic attraction in Rio. Has a great history that you can read at the entrance.

  • Hamad Al-Hamad

Nice place but super crowded. You should walk to the top to get nice photos.

  • Bruno Kolega

Worth visiting, a bit crowded but still nice.
Visited on
Weekend

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