at a glance

relatively unknown, this is a great spot to stop by when visiting sugar loaf, as it is just a 5 minute walk away from the entrance to the cable car.

tiny yet beautiful, praia vermelha (red beach) connects the babylon hill (morro da babilônia) to the urca hill, and is placed right in front of the square  praça general tibúrcio, itself flanked on the south by the militar engineering institute and to the north by the army school of command and staff.  the sand is of a reddish hue and has a thick texture - the beautiful surrounding landscape is part of a conservation area in order to preserve its unique flora and fauna.

three times per week, urca is also home to the 'movimento artistico da praia vermelha' a wonderful band of  choro musicians never who perform at praia vermelha.