Leme to Arpoador along Copacabana beach: a walk in Rio de Janeiro

The full sweep of Copacabana: from the Leme fishermen's path below the old Leme fort, past the 1923 Copacabana Palace, to Fort Copacabana and the Arpoador rock, where locals watch the sun set into the sea.

Best time: Start mid-afternoon and reach the Arpoador rock for sunset. Forte de Copacabana is closed on Mondays. The FCDO advises not going onto city beaches after dark.

The route, stop by stop

1
Caminho dos Pescadores
Paved walkway round the base of the Leme rock at the north end of the beach. 20 min
A walkway around the base of Pedra do Leme where fishermen cast lines and locals stroll at the end of Copacabana beach, with the whole curve of the bay behind them. Most visitors…
2
Forte Duque de Caxias (Forte do Leme)
Fort built 1776-1779 on top of Morro do Leme to guard against a Spanish landing (daily 09:30-16:00 per its Google listing). 60 min
An Army fort on top of Morro do Leme, first built in 1776-79 and rebuilt in 1913-19 with Krupp guns, reached by a forest trail with views over Copacabana and Guanabara Bay…
3
Copacabana Palace
The beachfront hotel by French architect Joseph Gire, opened on 13 August 1923. 10 min
4
Copacabana Fort
Army base at the south end of the beach, open to the public, with the Army Historical Museum and the coastal fort on the headland (Tue-Sun 10:00-19:00 per its Google listing). 60 min
The Army fort on the point between Copacabana and Arpoador, with 12 m thick sea walls, a military history museum and the classic view back along the whole beach.
5
Arpoador
The rock between Copacabana and Ipanema, Rio's best-known sunset spot; it is up to you whether to join the applause when the sun goes down. 30 min
An 800 m surf beach between the Forte de Copacabana and Ipanema, ending in a rock where crowds gather for sunset. The name comes from the whales once harpooned off this point.

Walking directions

Leme to Arpoador along Copacabana beach

The route, stop by stop

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