a small portion of one of two national parks is within the city's limits as the entrance to the parque nacional da serra dos órgãos is found in the city - the other park is the parque estadual dos três picos or, the park of the three peaks, and namesakes, has three impressive granite peaks, tower over the sierra del mar (ocean mountains).

distinguished as the largest national in the state of rio de janeiro, this conservation area is located between several cities including teresópolis, cachoeiras de macacu, and nova friburgo - visitors to the city can easily understand the imperial family's fascination with it.

it has been welcoming and soothing weary travelers heading from minas gerais to many locations around the baía guanabara (guanabara bay) since the eighteenth century - visitors should make time to see the colonial era palácio teresa cristina, the municipal palace in the city's center, as it is perhaps the most beautiful architectural landmarks in the city.