A long‑awaited journey to Rio de Janeiro, from Copacabana Beach to the summit of Corcovado, finally standing beneath Christ the Redeemer.
Some places feel iconic long before you ever set foot in them. Christ the Redeemer was one of those for me. I’d seen the statue in photographs, documentaries, and films for as long as I can remember, arms outstretched above Rio de Janeiro, watching over the city with a calm that felt almost otherworldly. Like so many people, I’d always been fascinated by it, and for years I’d wanted to see both the statue and Brazil itself. In 2023, I finally did.
Arriving in Rio de Janeiro.
My journey to Rio wasn’t a quick hop across the Atlantic. It began in Barcelona, on a cruise that carried me through Cádiz, Tenerife, Recife, Salvador, and Ilhéus before finally arriving in Brazil’s most famous city. By the time I stepped off the ship, I’d already seen a slice of the world, but Rio still felt like something entirely different.
I spent five days staying on Copacabana Beach, which is exactly as lively and colourful as you’d imagine. I swam in the Atlantic, wandered along the promenade, and soaked up the atmosphere of a city that seems to hum with its own rhythm.
Rio is a place with layers, history, music, beaches, mountains, and a sense of energy that never quite switches off. Founded in 1565, it has been a capital more than once, a royal seat, a cultural hub, and now one of the most visited cities in the Southern Hemisphere. Samba, Carnival, bossa nova, football, they all live here, woven into the fabric of daily life.
But for me, the heart of the trip was always going to be the statue.
Christ the Redeemer.
The journey up Corcovado Mountain is an experience in itself. As you climb higher, the city begins to fall away beneath you, beaches, buildings, forests, and the curve of Guanabara Bay all shifting into view. And then, suddenly, there he is.
Christ the Redeemer stands 30 metres tall, with an 8‑metre pedestal and arms stretching 28 metres wide. Built between 1922 and 1931, made of reinforced concrete and soapstone, he weighs 635 metric tons and somehow still looks serene. The original design was meant to show Christ holding a globe and a cross, but the final version, arms open wide, feels far more fitting for a city like Rio.
Standing beneath the statue is a strange mix of awe and calm. You know you’re looking at one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, but it doesn’t feel boastful or grandiose. It feels welcoming. Protective. Almost gentle.
And the view … well, the view is something you don’t forget. Sugarloaf Mountain, the beaches, the city stretching out in every direction, it’s one of those rare places where the world feels both enormous and incredibly close.
Sugarloaf and the Rest of Rio.
I also visited Sugarloaf Mountain, riding the cable car that has become almost as iconic as the mountain itself. From the top, Rio looks like a painting, blue water, green hills, white sand, and a city that seems to spill across every available space.
Between the beaches, the food, the music, and the sheer vibrancy of the place, Rio is a city that stays with you. But nothing compared to standing beneath Christ the Redeemer, finally seeing in person the statue I’d admired for so many years.
Another Wish Fulfilled.
Visiting Rio de Janeiro and Christ the Redeemer was one of those bucket‑list moments that lived up to the anticipation. It was everything I hoped it would be, beautiful, moving, and unforgettable.
Some dreams take years to reach. This one was worth every mile.
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