Lapa

Lapa is Rio's nightlife and samba district — the white aqueduct arches, the tile-covered Selarón Steps, and blocks of music halls that erupt Thursday through Saturday nights. Daytime it's scruffy and half-asleep; that's normal. Go at night for samba, keep your wits about you on the street, and don't carry more than you need.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Are the Selarón Steps free and worth it?

Completely free, and yes. Chilean artist Jorge Selarón covered 215 steps in thousands of tiles from around the world, working on them from 1990 until his death in 2013. Go before 9:00 or expect to share every frame with tour groups — they connect Lapa up to Santa Teresa.

Is Lapa worth visiting during the day?

For an hour or two: the Selarón Steps, the arches, the Metropolitan Cathedral's extraordinary cone interior next door, and Rua do Lavradio's antique shops. But daytime Lapa is scruffy and quiet — pair it with Centro or Santa Teresa and come back at night for the real show.

Where should I go for samba in Lapa?

Rio Scenarium on Rua do Lavradio is the famous three-story antique-filled hall — touristy but genuinely fun. Carioca da Gema and Circo Voador are more local-leaning. Most venues charge covers of a few tens of reais; Fridays and Saturdays are peak, and things don't get going until 22:00 or later.

What is the Feira do Lavradio?

A big antiques and crafts street fair along Rua do Lavradio on the first Saturday of each month — furniture, vinyl, clothes, food, live music, day-drinking. It's the one time Lapa is at its best in daylight, and one of the few reasons to be downtown on a weekend.

What is Lapa known for?

Samba and nightlife, full stop. The streets around Avenida Mem de Sá and Rua do Lavradio fill with music venues, botecos, and street crowds on weekend nights — it's the closest thing Brazil has to a national dance floor. By day, the draw is the Arcos da Lapa aqueduct and the Selarón Steps.

How do I get to Lapa?

Metro to Cinelândia (R$7.90) and walk five minutes, or Glória station for the eastern edge. At night, just Uber — it's cheap, and door-to-door beats walking empty stretches after the metro closes (around midnight Sunday-Thursday, later isn't guaranteed).

What are the Arcos da Lapa?

An 18th-century aqueduct — 42 white arches — that once carried water from Santa Teresa and now carries the Santa Teresa tram across the top. They're Lapa's postcard and the meeting point for the night scene; photograph them by day, party under them by night.

Is Lapa safe at night?

It's lively but rough around the edges. Stay on the busy, crowded blocks, go in a group if you can, carry one card and modest cash, and take an Uber door to door rather than wandering dark side streets at 3:00. Most trouble is opportunistic phone theft, and drink spiking is a known scam — buy your own drinks.

Nearby in Ask Rio de Janeiro

• Arcos da Lapa (Carioca Aqueduct)Attraction0.11 km · 1 min walk
• Catedral Metropolitana de São SebastiãoAttraction0.26 km · 3 min walk
• Selarón Steps (Escadaria Selarón)Attraction0.31 km · 4 min walk
• Feira do LavradioMarket0.32 km · 4 min walk
• Parque da Glória (Passeio Público)Park0.46 km · 6 min walk