in the nineties, niterói became famous across brazil as one the cities with the highest quality of life - also due to the many environmental policies aimed at preserving the city's nature. in 1991 the parque estadual da serra da tiririca was created, giving birth to an important area of preservation of the atlantic rainforest at the border between niterói and maricá.

niterói's most beautiful beaches are located on the oceanic side of town, where long stretches of sand are surrounded by mountainous formations and lush vegetation, often accessible via trails.