Places you can reach in the morning and leave in the evening. Public transport first; the car only where it really helps.
Petrópolis
The 'Imperial City' in the mountains, where Emperor Pedro II spent his summers. For history lovers and anyone who wants cooler air; the Imperial Museum is the reason to go.
How to get there
- Bus · Única-Fácil · 1 h 10 minFrom Rodoviária Novo Rio (also departures from Cidade Universitária and Menezes Cortes)
Departures: Several departures a day (ticket agent Buson listed morning and afternoon departures for 15 Oct 2026); operator timetable not verified 2026
Fare: not verified 2026 on the operator's site; ticket agent Buson showed BRL 37-56 one way for 15-17 Oct 2026 (checked 2026-10-14)
The operator's own site (unicafacil.com.br) could not be opened. Buses arrive at the Petrópolis bus station (Rodoviária Governador Leonel Brizola), outside the historic centre.
What to see
- Museu Imperial (Imperial Museum). Pedro II's former summer palace, a museum since 1943. Palace Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00 (last entry 17:15); gardens 7:00-18:00. Entry BRL 10, free on Sundays; cash and Pix only. About 1.5-2 hours.
- Cathedral and Rua do Imperador. The city's cathedral and the main street of the historic centre, a short walk from the museum. About 1 hour.
- Palácio de Cristal. The Crystal Palace, pictured by Wikipedia among the city's landmarks. 20-30 min.
- Palácio Quitandinha. The Quitandinha palace hotel, also among the city's landmarks on Wikipedia. About 1 hour with the ride.
Closed days
Imperial Museum: Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays, closed Mondays and on 1 May, 25 December and 1 January (Ibram).
Best time to go
all year
By car
Public transport is the better way to go here.
Good to know
- Go Tuesday to Sunday: the Imperial Museum is closed on Mondays.
- Sunday entry to the Imperial Museum is free; on other days bring cash or Pix, cards are not listed.
- Wikivoyage notes Petrópolis is a good place to cool down when Rio is too hot.
Teresópolis and Serra dos Órgãos National Park
A mountain town at 871 m beside Brazil's third-oldest national park (1939), home of the Dedo de Deus peak. For hikers and anyone who wants granite peaks, forest and waterfalls.
How to get there
- Bus · Viação TeresópolisFrom Rodoviária Novo Rio
Departures: not verified 2026
Fare: not verified 2026
The operator lists Rio de Janeiro (Novo Rio) - Teresópolis among its main routes; its timetable and fares load only in its booking tool.
What to see
- Dedo de Deus (God's Finger). The town's Latin motto means 'Under God's Finger'; ICMBio calls this peak the starting point of rock climbing in Brazil.
- Serra dos Órgãos trails. More than 200 km of trails in all grades, from a suspended trail accessible to wheelchair users to the 30 km Petrópolis-Teresópolis traverse (ICMBio). Half a day for a short trail.
- Feirinha do Alto. The Feirinha do Alto area, shown by Wikipedia among the town's landmarks.
Closed days
Park opening hours and fees not verified 2026.
Best time to go
all year
By car
Public transport is the better way to go here.
Good to know
- The park's main headquarters is in Teresópolis; check opening hours and any entry fee with ICMBio before you go (not verified 2026).
- The Petrópolis-Teresópolis traverse is a 30 km multi-day mountain route, not a day hike.
Vassouras
The 'city of the barons', a 19th-century coffee town of the Paraíba Valley, whose wealth was built on enslaved labour. For history lovers who want a quiet colonial square and a coffee baron's house museum.
How to get there
- Bus · 2 h 25 minFrom Rodoviária Novo Rio
Departures: About five departures a day listed by ticket agent Buson for 16 Oct 2026 (07:00 to 18:30); operator not named on the page
Fare: not verified 2026 on an operator site; Buson showed BRL 75-81 one way for 16 Oct 2026 (checked 2026-10-14)
Take the 07:00 bus to have the afternoon in town; check the return times when you buy.
What to see
- Praça Barão de Campo Belo. The historic main square of the town centre. About 30 min.
- Museu Casa da Hera. House of the coffee commissioner Joaquim José Teixeira Leite's family, built in the first half of the 19th century and listed as national heritage in 1952: original furniture, paintings, a library and French dresses. Wed-Sat 10:00-17:00, Sun 10:00-14:00. About 1 hour.
Closed days
Museu Casa da Hera: open Wednesday-Saturday 10:00-17:00 and Sunday 10:00-14:00, so closed Monday and Tuesday (Ibram).
Best time to go
all year
By car
Public transport is the better way to go here.
Good to know
- Museu Casa da Hera is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and closes at 14:00 on Sundays.
- In 1850 almost two thirds of the town's population were enslaved people (Wikipedia PT, citing the census of the time).
Arraial do Cabo
A small town in the Lakes Region with turquoise water, known as Brazil's 'dive capital'. For beach and diving people who accept a long day: about 4 hours by bus each way.
How to get there
- Bus · 4 hFrom Rodoviária Novo Rio
Departures: About hourly from 04:33 (ticket agent Buson, 16 Oct 2026); operator not named on the page
Fare: not verified 2026 on an operator site; Buson showed BRL 86-173 one way for 16 Oct 2026 (checked 2026-10-14)
Trips take 3 h 10 min to 4 h 7 min. For a day trip take a bus before 06:00 and the last one back in the late afternoon.
What to see
- Praia do Forno. Beach reached by trail or by boat. Half a day.
- Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia. Small beaches with clear blue water and green coastal vegetation (Wikivoyage). 1-2 hours.
- Diving and the marine reserve. About 30 dive sites, around Ilha dos Porcos, Ilha do Farol and Cardeiro, inside the 56,769 ha Arraial do Cabo Marine Extractive Reserve (1997).
Closed days
Beaches: no closing day.
Best time to go
all year
By car
Public transport is the better way to go here.
Good to know
- This is a very long day by bus (about 8 hours of travel); consider a night there if you can.
- Praia do Forno can be reached on foot by a trail or by boat.