The statue of Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, the beautiful beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, and a legendary stadium like the Maracanà are just some of the sites this city called ""Cidade Maravilhosa"" has to offer. The carioca city has a colourful soul: ultra modern skyscrapers, urban forests, the contagious joy of its inhabitants, and music resounding in every street corner.

With an ITA Airways flight from London to Rio de Janeiro you can experience unique events in the world, such as the most famous Carnival in the world or New Year's Eve in Copacabana with the excitement of dancing, singing, parades, fireworks and glasses of Caipirinha. Experience the city to the rhythm of samba! These are some absolute 'must-dos' on a trip to Rio.

WHAT TO SEE IN RIO DE JANEIRO

• - THE STATUE OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER (CRISTO REDENTOR). The white Christ with his arms widespread to form a cross is Brazil's most important monument, and its most famous symbol in the world. Built in 1931 with concrete and soapstone in the Art Deco style, it stands 38 m high on the Corcovado peak, Rio's most famous hill. The site offers a breathtaking view of the whole city, from Copacabana beach to the Maracanà stadium.
• - SUGAR LOAF MOUNTAIN (Pão de Açúcar). Considered the most important symbol of the city after Christ the Redeemer, this hill rises over Guanabara Bay. A highly suggestive cable car - launched in 1912, it is the third oldest cable car service in the world - conveys visitors to the peak. The hill is named after the particular shape, which recalls sugar mounds during production.
• - COPACABANA. It is Brazil's most touristy beach, and one of the most famous in the world. It is also a favourite haunt of the residents of Rio, who organise beach-volley and foot-volley matches on the sand, while the night witnesses parties that last until dawn to the rhythm of samba. The promenade is lined with kiosks, cafés and restaurants where you can savour the true carioca spirit while sipping a Caipirinha or a refreshing agua de coco.
• - IPANEMA. Made famous in the 1960s by the bossa nova song ""Girl of Ipanema"" by Vinicius de Moraes and Antonio Carlos Jobim, it is the other most famous beach in Brazil. A huge expanse of sand divided into ""postos"", which are nothing more than lifeguard rescue stations. The most famous is posto no. 9 but there are areas for all tastes: beaches for surfers, for beach-volley and foot-volley players, for youth of the favelas, and for the gay community.

WHEN TO VISIT RIO DE JANEIRO

Every period is fine to catch an ITA Airways flight from London to Rio de Janeiro, as the weather is warm and a rich calendar of events awaits you all year round. The Rio Carnival is certainly the most famous festival in the world - a riot of colours, sounds, parades of masks and floats - but also the New Year in Capocabana with the samba, fireworks and glasses of Caipirinha is absolutely worth experiencing. If you prefer to visit Rio for the beaches, expect to find the most famous golden sands in the world.

What are you waiting for? Book your ITA Airways flight from London to Rio de Janeiro today!