inseparable from carioca culture are the lush beaches that line the entire city's shore. the beaches are the most famous aspect of rio de janeiro life, with around 70 beaches up and down the coast, each with their own individual style and ambience, giving visitors ample choice for every mood.

the most iconic and busiest are the ipanema and copacabana beaches, in the south zone of the city. travel and news media have voted ipanema beach as the best urban beach, whilst copacabana's famous four kilometer golden promenade is consistently referenced internationally for both its natural qualities and local events.