Perhaps you’ve seen photos of these colorful stairs in Rio but don’t know exactly where they are. In this post, is everything you need to know about Escadaria Selarón – the famous tile steps in Rio de Janeiro.
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If you’re planning a trip to Rio, you may have already heard about or perhaps seen travelers posing in front of these colorful steps all over Instagram. While it is a popular tourist destination, it is also completely worth the visit especially if you love art.
However, because these steps are so popular, there are some tips and tricks to keep in mind while visiting to make sure you get that Insta-worthy shot but also enjoy your time there.
Whether you want the perfect shot with your partner or are traveling solo and want to enjoy the art, I’ve got you covered. Here is how to make the most of your visit to the famous Escadaria Selarón stairs in Rio!
History of These Colorful Stairs
During the 90s there was a Chilean painter by the name of Jorge Selarón who lived along this staircase. One day he began renovating the shabby steps in front of his house with green, yellow, and blue tiles to represent the colors of the Brazilian flag.
What started as a small house project ended up turning into the Selaron stairs you see today! There are 215 steps all of which are covered in over 2,000 whimsical and colorful tiles.
At first, Selarón collected tiles from the streets of Rio but during the later years, many visitors began donating tiles from all over the world. Today over 60 different countries are represented in the tiles. Many tiles were even hand-painted by Selarón himself.
How Much Time To Spend & What To See!
If you are a quick traveler, you can easily spend less than 15 minutes here. Walk up and down the stairs, snap some photos, and then be on your way. You don’t need to plan a lot of time here if you don’t want to.
However, if you love art and unique cultural sights then I recommend walking slowly to enjoy each and every tile. I saw so many beautiful and unique tiles from many different countries. At one point, I even started keeping track of the countries that I visited once I found its matching tile!
I also love to people-watch and journal. This staircase is perfect for it as there are ledges along the sides where you can sit without being too in the way of people’s pictures. This way you can also wait, if you’re patient enough, for a better photo op when there’s a lull in the crowd.
Location! Where in Rio is This?
These vibrant-colored stairs are known locally as the ‘Lapa Stairs’ because they are located in the neighborhood of Lapa – right next to the Santa Teresa neighborhood.
It is quite easy to find your way to this attraction. Uber is a great option for transportation around Rio. You can also take the metro or local buses. Here is the exact location on Google Maps!
Another fun way to get around Rio is by biking! You can easily rent a city bike and get to this location quite easily. You can read more about renting a city bike in Rio in this post!
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit will be right at sunrise or before 8 am. For this popular attraction, the earlier the better. As I mentioned before if you get there later you will have to wait in line if you want a great photo. Even then there is no guarantee as people are still walking up and down the stairs.
The other option is going at sunset when most people are at the beach or restaurants and bars. However, always be weary when going out at night in Rio. Even though this is a popular destination, Lapa does not have the safest reputation at night.
Tips To Get Great Photos
- First and foremost, the trick to getting a great, crowd-free photo at any attraction you visit is to go as early as possible! Whether you are visiting the Trevi Fountain in Rome or the Lapa Stairs here in Rio. The early bird does truly get the better photo.
- If you visit later in the day (like I did) then either be prepared to stand in a line to get ‘the shot’ or get good at editing people out of your photos. However, you can also go further up the stairs. With over 200 steps, most people just stick to the bottom ones which makes the top a great alternative for a photo op.
- Another idea is going with a tour guide. I saw quite a few guides directing and taking great photos of tourists. Because they’re locals, they know the better spots and angles but also are not afraid to ask people to move out of the shot. Here is a great full-day sightseeing tour option that includes a visit to the stairs!
- Lastly, my favorite part about traveling solo is the people you meet! I got lucky and found another solo traveler who also wanted his picture taken so we took turns being photographers. I had my tripod out and ready to go when he approached me so never be shy to ask others for help.
I hope you found some useful information on visiting the gorgeous Escadaria Selarón Stairs in Rio. Even though it was a bit crowded, this was one of my favorite stops in the city. Each tile is unique and holds its own story to admire and learn from!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Selarón steps safe?
Yes, Escadaria Selarón steps are quite safe as it’s a popular tourist destination. While mainly tourists are the ones snapping photos, just be smart to not leave your belongings unattended for too long and you should be just fine. If you are visiting at night, be a bit more weary as the Lapa neighborhood isn’t as safe in the dark.
Why is Escadaria Selarón famous?
The Selarón steps in Rio are famous for being a vibrant, colorful, and beautiful public stairway decorated and created by Chilean painter, Jorge Selarón. It was his “tribute to the Brazilian people” and is overall a beautiful piece of tile artwork.
How much does it cost to go to the Selarón steps?
It is free to visit the Selarón steps all by yourself. If you choose to go with a guide then, of course, you will need to pay but going alone is just fine and doable!
For more helpful posts on Brazil, you may also like:
- City Bikes in Rio: Easy & Cheap Way for Foreigners (2023)
- The Best & Tastiest VEGAN Feijoada in Rio de Janeiro!
- Copacabana Beach: What It’s Like Visiting Rio’s Famous Shore
