The 14 Best Day Trips from Barra da Tijuca
How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.
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There are 14 good day trips from Barra da Tijuca, Brazil, led by Rio de Janeiro, Duque de Caxias, Nova Iguaçu. The closest is Rio de Janeiro, about 30 min by car, and 6 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.
Built from 14 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.
Day trips from Barra da Tijuca
- 1
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 30 min by car21 km north-east of Barra da TijucaWhat travelers see in Rio de Janeiro
- Christ the Redeemer - Visit one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
- Sugarloaf Mountain - Take a cable car ride to Sugarloaf Mountain for stunning views of the city and coastline, especially at sunset.
- Museu do Amanhã - This unique science museum offers interactive exhibits that explore sustainability and the future of our planet.
- 2
Duque de Caxias, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 35 min by car24 km north of Barra da Tijuca - 3
Nova Iguaçu, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 40 min by car28 km north of Barra da TijucaKnown for GRES Beija-Flor de Nilópolis.
- 4
Juiz de Fora, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr 10 min by car137 km north of Barra da Tijuca - 5
Belford Roxo, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 40 min by car26 km north of Barra da Tijuca - 6
São João de Meriti, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 35 min by car22 km north of Barra da Tijuca - 7
Petrópolis, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 5 min by car58 km north of Barra da Tijuca - 8
Volta Redonda, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 25 min by car92 km north-west of Barra da Tijuca - 9
Magé, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 1 hr by car51 km north-east of Barra da Tijuca - 10
Itaboraí, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 10 min by car59 km north-east of Barra da Tijuca - 11
Cabo Frio, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr 10 min by car138 km east of Barra da Tijuca - 12
Maricá, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 5 min by car57 km east of Barra da Tijuca - 13
Nova Friburgo, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 50 min by car117 km north-east of Barra da Tijuca - 14
Barra Mansa, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car97 km north-west of Barra da Tijuca
A sample day: Barra da Tijuca to Rio de Janeiro
- 08:30Leave Barra da Tijuca
- 09:00Arrive in Rio de Janeiro (30 min drive)
- 09:15Christ the Redeemer
- 11:15Lunch
- 12:30Sugarloaf Mountain
- 14:15Museu do Amanhã
- 15:45Head back to Barra da Tijuca
- 16:15Home in Barra da Tijuca
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best day trips from Barra da Tijuca?
- The best day trips from Barra da Tijuca are Rio de Janeiro, Duque de Caxias, Nova Iguaçu, Juiz de Fora, Belford Roxo. The closest is Rio de Janeiro, about 30 min away by car.
- What is the closest day trip from Barra da Tijuca?
- Rio de Janeiro is the closest, 21 km north-east of Barra da Tijuca, roughly 30 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
- Where can I go within an hour of Barra da Tijuca?
- 6 places are within about an hour's drive of Barra da Tijuca: Rio de Janeiro (30 min), São João de Meriti (35 min), Duque de Caxias (35 min), Belford Roxo (40 min), Nova Iguaçu (40 min), Magé (1 hr).
- Where can I go for a weekend from Barra da Tijuca?
- For a weekend away from Barra da Tijuca, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Cabo Frio (138 km, 2 hr 10 min), Juiz de Fora (137 km, 2 hr 10 min), Nova Friburgo (117 km, 1 hr 50 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
- How far is too far for a day trip from Barra da Tijuca?
- Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Cabo Frio at 138 km, around 2 hr 10 min by car.
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