How to visit the Selaron Steps in Rio: all you need to know
The Selaron Steps are Rio’s most colorful staircase. Known as Escadaria Selaron in Portuguese, this is a spot you don’t want to miss during your visit. In this guide, we will tell you everything you need to know to organize your visit to the Selaron Steps.
As someone who grew up in Rio, I have been to the Selaron Steps many times – both as a tourist and just passing by. They lead to the neighborhood of Santa Teresa, one of my favorite areas of my hometown. In this guide, I will provide you with my personal tips on the best ways to visit the Selaron Steps.

Why are the Selaron Steps famous?
The Selaron Steps is a very unique urban artwork created by Chilean artist Jorge Selaron.
He started his work in 1990 and it took him over 20 years to finish the decoration of the steps. To make Escadaria Selaron, he used tiles from all over Brazil, as well as other countries around the world.
You can find tiles from almost anywhere (we invite you to look for your country! We even found one from Slovenia). He also included tiles of many different themes, including several soccer teams, many about navigation ones, etc. You could spend an entire afternoon here if you would be exploring the different tiles closely.
The staircase is composed of about 215 steps and many murals along the way. Escadaria Selaron is a very special piece of artwork, but what made it famous was being featured in famous music videos.
Have you heard the song Beautiful by Snoop Dogg? It was filmed right here, at the Selaron Steps.


How to get to the Selaron Steps?
The steps are located between the neighborhoods of Lapa (accessed from the bottom) and Santa Teresa (accessed from the top). Here are the best ways to get to the Selaron Steps:
Walking to the Selaron Steps
If you will be visiting Lapa or other areas of the Historic Center in Rio, you can easily walk to the Selaron Steps.
The steps are located only a 5-minute walk away from the Arcos da Lapa.
This is the official address of the Escadaria Selaron: Rua Manuel Carneiro, Rio de Janeiro.
Going to the Selaron Steps by car
If you have a car while visiting Rio, you can easily visit the Selaron Steps with your own vehicle. In this case, I recommend parking on the upper part of the staircase, at the intersection between Rua Manuel Carneiro and Ladeira da Lapa.
Parking on Ladeira da Lapa is free and there is usually quite some space available.
Do you need to rent a car for your trip?

We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car. So far it has proved to be not only the cheapest option but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!
Going to the Selaron Steps by taxi or Uber
This is one of the easiest ways to get to the Selaron Steps. You simply need to ask the Uber or taxi driver to drop you off at this iconic spot. They will most likely take you to the bottom part of the staircase, as it is the most popular entry point.
Read also: Guide to using Uber in Rio
Going to the Selaron Steps by public transport
The best way to get to the Selaron Steps using public transport is through the subway. Get off at the Carioca Station and you will have a 15-minute walk until you reach the Selaron Steps.
There are also several buses that can drop you off close to the staircase. We recommend checking the specific bus schedule using Google Maps as there are many bus options, and the app will recommend the best one for you depending on where you will be coming from.
Read also: How the public transport works in Rio
Going to the Selaron Steps with a tour
Don’t want to organize transport by yourself? Book a tour instead!
When you book a tour, transportation will be fully organized for you. Most tours to visit the Selaron Steps also include stops at other attractions in Rio.
This is the tour we recommend the most: Selaron Steps, Santa Teresa, and Lapa.
With this tour, you will visit the neighborhoods of Santa Teresa, and Lapa, with a visit to the Selaron Steps in the middle. These neighborhoods are full of history so having a guide to walk you through it all is one of the best choices you can make!
What is the best time to visit the Selaron Steps?
The best time to visit the Selaron Steps is early in the morning, before 10 am. The best thing about visiting the Selaron Steps at that time is that you can enjoy the place and take nice pictures without too many people around.
Don’t underestimate the popularity of Escadaria Selaron. It gets really crowded during the day.
If you are anything like us and would like to avoid the crowds, try to get there as early as you can. Ideally, between 7-9 am is the best time to visit the Selaron Steps.

Are the Selaron Steps safe?
Yes, the Selaron Steps are generally safe. It is a popular attraction in Rio and people tend to stay around it during the day so it can be quite lively at times.
Most of the time I have been to the Selaron Steps, there were also police patrols around the area since it is often too busy with tourists. I have never felt unsafe when visiting Escadaria Selaron.
That being said, like with any other big city, you should always be aware of your surroundings and your belongings.
The best area to stay for visiting the Selaron Steps
The best area to stay in when visiting the Selaron Steps is Santa Teresa. This is one of the most popular neighborhoods for tourists and visitors because it provides a very unique and authentic experience… sort of a different side of Rio.
Here are our recommendations for the best places to stay in Santa Teresa:
- Chez George: This incredible hotel has one of the best views of Rio and impeccable decoration. It is one of our most recommended places to stay in Santa Teresa.
- Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro: If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, we recommend Vila Galé. With its location just a few hundred meters away from Selaron Steps, this place is an excellent option to explore Santa Teresa.
- Mama Ruisa Boutique Hotel: If you are looking for a romantic stay, this cute boutique hotel is right for you. Located in Santa Teresa, just a short Uber ride from the steps, this hotel offers cute rooms, breakfast, and a pool.
What is there to visit next to the Selaron Steps?
Aside from the Selaron Steps, here are a few other great places to explore:
- Arcos da Lapa
- Dona Marta Viewpoint
- The Museum of Tomorrow
- The Historic Center of Rio
- Christ the Redeemer
Check more tours in Rio on Get Your Guide:
The Selaron Steps are an absolute must-visit when in Rio de Janeiro. We recommend combining the visit to the staircase with other captivating attractions nearby and you have yourself an incredible day exploring the heart of Rio.
Happy travels!
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to Brazil, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Flights: Get affordable flights to Brazil on Skyscanner.com.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use SafetyWing whenever we are traveling abroad.
- Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals.
- Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com.
- Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
- SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo.
- Personalized itinerary: We can create a travel plan tailored to your wishes!
- Rio de Janeiro map: All of our favorite places on one map.
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