Selarón Steps (Escadaria Selarón)

Jorge Selarón's 215 tile-covered steps between Lapa and Santa Teresa are a genuine work of obsession — the Chilean artist worked on them until his death in 2013. Free, open all the time, and worth 30 minutes. Caveat: it's a photo scrum by mid-morning, and don't linger with a camera out after dark.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to photograph the Selarón Steps?

Before 9am, honestly. By late morning there's a line of people waiting for the same shot at the base, and tour groups arrive in waves. Early light on the tiles is prettier anyway.

Is the Selarón Steps free to visit?

Completely free — it's a public staircase, open 24 hours. Go during daylight though; the Lapa end gets sketchy at night.

Do I climb up or down the Selarón Steps?

Up from Lapa is the classic approach — the view of the tiles unfolds in front of you. If stairs are an issue, you can taxi to the Santa Teresa top end and just see the upper section, but the famous vista is from the bottom third.

Can I combine the Selarón Steps with other sights?

Perfect pairing: the Lapa Arches and Metropolitan Cathedral are five minutes away, and you can climb the steps and keep walking up into Santa Teresa for lunch. That's a solid half-day on foot.

What's the story behind the Selarón Steps?

Chilean artist Jorge Selarón started covering the staircase outside his house with tiles in 1990 as a 'tribute to the Brazilian people' and never stopped — over 2,000 tiles from 60-plus countries. He was found dead on the steps in 2013, which only deepened the legend.

How long do the Selarón Steps take?

Thirty to 45 minutes covers climbing, tile-spotting, and photos. Tile-hunters looking for their home country's tile linger longer — there are tiles from dozens of countries hidden in the walls.

How do I get to the Selarón Steps by metro?

Cinelândia or Glória stations both work — it's about a 10-minute walk from either, through Lapa. From Glória you approach the quieter bottom end on Rua Joaquim Silva.

Are the Selarón Steps safe?

Daytime with normal city awareness, yes — there's usually a police presence at the bottom. Keep phones zipped away when not shooting, and skip it after dark; Lapa's nightlife blocks are fine but the staircase itself empties out.

Nearby in Ask Rio de Janeiro

• Lapa CaféCafé0.23 km · 3 min walk
• Arcos da Lapa (Carioca Aqueduct)Attraction0.3 km · 4 min walk
• LapaNeighborhood0.31 km · 4 min walk
• Parque da Glória (Passeio Público)Park0.34 km · 4 min walk
• Catedral Metropolitana de São SebastiãoAttraction0.53 km · 7 min walk