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Largo do Boticário Rio de Janeiro

4.3

·2k reviews·, Brazil

A charming, historic square in Rio de Janeiro featuring decaying neocolonial houses intertwined with lush greenery.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Daytime

Best light for photos

CrowdLow

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Largo do Boticário Rio de Janeiro

Best Time

Daytime

Best light for photos

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A charming, historic square in Rio de Janeiro featuring decaying neocolonial houses intertwined with lush greenery.

4.3

(2k reviews)

"A picturesque glimpse into Rio's past, where nature reclaims historic architecture."

TIP

📸 Perfect Photo Spot

Great for unique photos, especially with the greenery. Go during the day for the best light.

🚶‍♀️ Easy Access

It's a short, pleasant walk from the Cosme Velho train station, making it a convenient stop.

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.3 · 2,271 reviews

Type

Tourist Attraction

Address

Beco do Boticário, 26 - Cosme Velho, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22241-120, Brazil

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Neocolonial Architecture

The entire Largo

Admire the colorful, historic houses that showcase Rio's past grandeur, now embraced by lush greenery.

The Carioca River

Bordering the Largo

See the iconic Rio Carioca, the river that gave the city its name, flowing through the square before being channeled underground.

Greenery Overgrowth

Facades and grounds

Witness nature reclaiming the historic structures, creating a unique, almost mystical atmosphere.

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Planning Your Visit

A Glimpse of Old Rio

Largo do Boticário offers a unique peek into Rio's past with its charming, albeit decaying, neocolonial buildings. It's a quick, free stop, perfect for a photo op before or after visiting Christ the Redeemer.

Accessibility & Timing

This historic square is open 24/7 and free to visit. While close to the Christ the Redeemer train, parking is extremely limited, so public transport or a short walk is recommended.

Best Times

When

Daytime

Why

Best light for photos

Crowd

Low

When

Before/After Christ the Redeemer

Why

Convenient location

Crowd

Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Respondendo a @biahada nosso roteiro de quatro dia pelo rio de janeiro (com valores) #riodejaneiro #rj #viagemtiktok

@jadeveloso1

88.1K likes • 973.8K views

📸 Perfect Photo Spot

Great for unique photos, especially with the greenery. Go during the day for the best light.

🚶‍♀️ Easy Access

It's a short, pleasant walk from the Cosme Velho train station, making it a convenient stop.

Melhores bairros para se hospedar no Rio de Janeiro na opinião de uma carioca: 💰💰💰 Pra quem quer investir mais: Ipanema e Leblon 💰💰 Pra quem não quer gastar tanto, mas continuar na Zona Sul: Botafogo e Flamengo 💰 Pra quem quer gastar menos: Tijuca (escolher locais próximos ao metrô) #riodejaneiro #viagens

@jesss.brasil

18.4K likes • 315.9K views

Largo do Boticário. ENDEREÇO: Beco do Boticário, 26, Cosme Velho. Rio de Janeiro. COMO CHEGAR: As linhas 117 e 583 passam em frente ao Beco. Fica pertinho do trem que leva ao Cristo. Vagas para veículos são pouquíssimas e destinadas a quem vai se hospedar. O local fica aberto 24h e o beco e o largo ainda são grátis. #destinoerrejota #blogmochilando #euvounajanela #rioeuamoeucuido #riodejaneir...

rioparapobres

1.4K likes • 21.6K views

⏳ Quick Visit

Allow about 10-15 minutes to explore and take photos; it's a small area.

🚗 Parking is Tough

Very limited parking, mostly for hotel guests. Public transport or walking is advised.

Você conhece o Largo do Boticário e seus segredinhos? Você já teve a oportunidade de ver o icônico Rio Carioca, tão importante para o desenvolvimento da cidade e que nos emprestou seu nome, correndo limpo pelas ruas do Rio de Janeiro? No Largo do Boticário e em outros lugares do Cosme velho é possível vê-lo assim, antes de sumir por debaixo da terra canalizado. Em nossa caminhada cultural, que ac...

carioca.walking.tours

61 likes • 1.6K views

Tips

from all over the internet

📸 Perfect Photo Spot

Great for unique photos, especially with the greenery. Go during the day for the best light.

🚶‍♀️ Easy Access

It's a short, pleasant walk from the Cosme Velho train station, making it a convenient stop.

⏳ Quick Visit

Allow about 10-15 minutes to explore and take photos; it's a small area.

🚗 Parking is Tough

Very limited parking, mostly for hotel guests. Public transport or walking is advised.

What Travellers Say

4.3

(2k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors find Largo do Boticário to be a charming, quick stop offering a unique glimpse into Rio's past with its decaying neocolonial buildings embraced by nature. While some note it's not as grand as it once was and is now part of a hotel, its proximity to Christ the Redeemer and free access make it a worthwhile, picturesque detour for a short visit and photo opportunities.

"Not a big deal, but definitely worth a short walk from the Cosme Velho station. Gives a nice feeling of how Rio might looked like a century ago."

Michal Zywar

"It used to be more interesting.
Now, unless you are staying in the hotel that encompasses all the little houses there, it is not that interesting any more.
No parking at all at the premises (only a drop off area for the hotel and resident only parking).
Under the right circumstances, it can be a nice photo opportunity, but not sure if worth the effort."

I V

"Beautiful buildings but it has been totally renovated! And is now a hotel. Not one for ruin enthusiasts but worth stopping into if you’re nearby"

Isabel A. Young

What People Like

Unique architecture and greenery

Historic atmosphere

Free to visit

What People Dislike

Decaying state

Limited parking

Now part of a hotel

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

You can reach Largo do Boticário via bus lines 117 and 583, which stop nearby. It's also a short walk from the Cosme Velho train station, the departure point for the Christ the Redeemer train. Parking is scarce, so public transport or walking is recommended.

Yes, Largo do Boticário is conveniently located near the Cosme Velho train station, which is the primary access point for the tram up to Christ the Redeemer.

Many visitors find taking a bus or walking from the Cosme Velho station to be the most practical options due to limited parking.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, Largo do Boticário is a public square and is completely free to visit. It's open 24 hours a day.

Largo do Boticário is accessible 24 hours a day, making it a flexible stop on your Rio itinerary.

📸 📸 Photography

Absolutely! The unique blend of decaying neocolonial architecture, lush greenery, and the historic Carioca River makes it a fantastic spot for photographers seeking atmospheric shots.

Daytime offers the best natural light to capture the colors and details of the buildings and the surrounding vegetation.

🎫 📍 Onsite Experience

You can admire the historic neocolonial houses, observe the Carioca River, and appreciate the unique atmosphere created by the overgrowth of nature. It's a place to soak in the ambiance and imagine Rio's past.

Most visitors find that 10 to 15 minutes is sufficient to explore the area and take photos, as it's a relatively small square.

While some buildings are in a state of decay and overgrown with greenery, it has been renovated and is now part of a hotel. It's not a ruin in the traditional sense but offers a picturesque, aged charm.