Urca
Sugarloaf Mountain
Rising straight from the edge of Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf Mountain offers one of the most famous views on Earth. Two cable-car rides take you to the top.
- Height
- 396 m
- Cable car
- Since 1912
- Stages
- Two: Morro da Urca, then the summit
- Location
- Urca
The cable car
The Sugarloaf cable car opened in 1912, one of the first in the world. The first ride goes from Praia Vermelha to Morro da Urca, about 220 metres high; the second climbs to the summit at 396 metres. The glass cars give views in every direction.
What you’ll see
From the top you see Copacabana Beach, Guanabara Bay, the Rio–Niterói Bridge, Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado and the mountains around the city. Morro da Urca has its own viewpoints and cafés, a good place to rest between the two rides.
The best time to go
Late afternoon is the most popular time, for the sunset over the city. Mornings are usually quieter. On clear days, the view reaches across the bay to Niterói.
Visiting with Marcio
Sugarloaf is the last stop of the Best of Rio in One Day. Marcio plans the day around it so you reach the top with good light, and it can also be part of a custom tour.
How long does a visit to Sugarloaf take?
Plan on about two hours to ride both cable cars and enjoy the views, and more at busy times.
Are cable car tickets included in the tour?
No. Cable car tickets are paid separately and are not included in the tour price.
