The 14 Best Day Trips from Petrópolis
How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.
Free day-by-day itinerary in seconds. No account needed to start.
There are 14 good day trips from Petrópolis, Brazil, led by Rio de Janeiro, Duque de Caxias, Nova Iguaçu. The closest is Magé, about 35 min by car, and 7 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 Petrópolis
- 1
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 50 min by car45 km south of PetrópolisWhat 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 40 min by car34 km south-west of Petrópolis - 3
Nova Iguaçu, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 45 min by car40 km south-west of PetrópolisKnown for GRES Beija-Flor de Nilópolis.
- 4
Juiz de Fora, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 20 min by car84 km north of Petrópolis - 5
Belford Roxo, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 45 min by car37 km south-west of Petrópolis - 6
São João de Meriti, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 45 min by car39 km south-west of Petrópolis - 7
Barra da Tijuca, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 5 min by car58 km south of Petrópolis - 8
Volta Redonda, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car95 km west of Petrópolis - 9
Macaé, Brazil
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 15 min by car144 km east of Petrópolis - 10
Magé, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 35 min by car22 km south-east of Petrópolis - 11
Itaboraí, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 50 min by car42 km south-east of Petrópolis - 12
Cabo Frio, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr by car126 km east of Petrópolis - 13
Maricá, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 10 min by car59 km south-east of Petrópolis - 14
Nova Friburgo, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 20 min by car71 km east of Petrópolis
A sample day: Petrópolis to Rio de Janeiro
- 08:30Leave Petrópolis
- 09:20Arrive in Rio de Janeiro (50 min drive)
- 09:35Christ the Redeemer
- 11:35Lunch
- 12:50Sugarloaf Mountain
- 14:35Museu do Amanhã
- 16:05Head back to Petrópolis
- 16:55Home in Petrópolis
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best day trips from Petrópolis?
- The best day trips from Petrópolis are Rio de Janeiro, Duque de Caxias, Nova Iguaçu, Juiz de Fora, Belford Roxo. The closest is Magé, about 35 min away by car.
- What is the closest day trip from Petrópolis?
- Magé is the closest, 22 km south-east of Petrópolis, roughly 35 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
- Where can I go within an hour of Petrópolis?
- 7 places are within about an hour's drive of Petrópolis: Magé (35 min), Duque de Caxias (40 min), Belford Roxo (45 min), São João de Meriti (45 min), Nova Iguaçu (45 min), Itaboraí (50 min).
- What is the biggest city near Petrópolis for a day out?
- Rio de Janeiro is the largest city in day-trip range, 45 km south of Petrópolis and about 50 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
- Where can I go for a weekend from Petrópolis?
- For a weekend away from Petrópolis, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Macaé (144 km, 2 hr 15 min), Cabo Frio (126 km, 2 hr). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
- How far is too far for a day trip from Petrópolis?
- Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Macaé at 144 km, around 2 hr 15 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.
Ready to plan your Petrópolis trip?
Free day-by-day itinerary in seconds. No account needed to start.
Keep exploring