Niterói has a great diversity of tourist attractions: natural beauties, beautiful historical heritage, the second largest set of works by the architect Oscar Niemeyer, a diversified quality gastronomy, Brazil’s largest forts and fortress complex, is a cultural barn, besides having the best view of the city of Rio de Janeiro.
PICO, SÃO LUIZ FORT AND SANTA CRUZ DA BARRA FORTRESS
Pico and São Luiz Forts: The tour besides being very rich in history and culture, has an astonishing scenery, which is unique and is one of the few places in the city with a remnant of native Atlantic Forest. At the top of Pico Fort, the visitor will have one of the most impressive sights in the world. Address: Alameda Marechal Pessoa Leal – Jurujuba – Access to Barão do Rio Branco Fort – Tel .: +55 21 3611-4205 / 3611- 4200 – Visiting hours: from Tuesday to Sunday: at 10am or 2pm. Information also by e-mail: rp_21gac@yahoo.com.br | SANTA CRUZ FORTRESS: Registered by the IPHAN – National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute, this impressive military architectural monument dates back to 1555 and is considered one of the most exquisite architectural fortifications in the entire country. Address: Estrada General Eurico Gaspar Dutra, s/nº – Jurujuba – Niterói, RJ.Tel: +55 21 2710.2354 – Visitation: from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 5pm, with departures every 30 minutes. Visits in groups should be scheduled through the email: agendafscb@gmail.com.
CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM – MAC
The Contemporary Art Museum (MAC), open on September 2, 1996, is the current symbol of the city of Niterói. The futuristic form created by Niemeyer has become a landmark of modern world architecture, being considered one of the seven wonders of the world among museums by specialized media. The shape of the MAC resembles a flower, or a spaceship, floating on a rock that advances to the sea. Constructed with a water mirror around it, it gains even more lightness, and its large external concrete ramp with red floor leads the visitor to the upper floors of the Museum, with a 360-degree panoramic view of the Guanabara Bay and the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Niterói. Mirante da Boa Viagem, s/nº – Boa Viagem, Niterói – RJ Visitation: Tuesday to Sunday: from 10am to 6pm / Courtyard: daily: from 8am to 7pm – Tel.:+55 21 2620-2400 / +55 21 2620-2481
NIEMEYER WAY
An architectural complex, which has the aim of promoting art and culture, with buildings that form a path along the shoreline called Niemeyer Way. Composed of six urban facilities, the beginning of the path, in the Center of the city, houses three unique works of the architect Oscar Niemeyer: – Roberto Silveira Memorial ; – Science and Creativity Museum; – Popular Theater Oscar Niemeyer. The Path continues along the edge of the Guanabara Bay, with Juscelino Kubitschek Square (JK) and following the shoreline, you will arrive at the Petrobras Cinema Center. Finally, one arrives at the Contemporary Art Museum – MAC, the symbol of the city of Niterói. Address: beginning at Jornalista Rogério Coelho Neto Av., s / nº – Center – Daily, from 9 am to 6 pm – Free entrance – Visits monitored through the Tourist Information Center. Tel: 0800 282 7755
JANETE COSTA POPULAR ART MUSEUM
Janete Costa Popular Art Museum provides and broadens the dissemination of Brazilian popular culture. Situated in two 19th-century houses, with typically neo-classical frontage, the Museum takes the name of one of the greatest researchers and experts in Brazilian popular art, who lived part of her life in the city. Address: Rua Pres. Domiciano, 178 – Ingá, Niterói – RJ Tel .: +55 21 2705-3929 – From Tuesday to Friday, from 10 am to 6 pm. Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm.
SÃO PEDRO MARKET
Over the years, the São Pedro Fish Market has established itself and achieved a prominent position in the fishing industry, being preferred by consumers from several states and municipalities. Its restaurants, in which customers can choose their fish and its way of preparation, are highly sought after by visitors, who can enjoy fresh seafood on the spot.Address: Avenida Visconde do Rio Branco, 55 – Niterói – RJ – Runs from Tuesday to Saturday, from 6am to 6pm; and Sundays, from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm, whereas the boxes close at 1:00 pm, and the restaurant area is still in operation.Phone: +55 21 2620-3446
SÃO BENTO FIELD
Handicraft Fair from 9 am to 3 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. São Bento Field is an urban park with an area of 36 thousand square meters and houses several secular species of trees and plants. Registered by the City Hall of Niterói in 1990, the place counts on flowerbeds, fountain, lake, playground, besides extensive cultural programming and outdoor activities.Address: between the streets: Lopes Trovão, Domingues de Sá, Gavião Peixoto and Avenida Roberto Silveira. Tel .: +55 21 2711-3266 (Parks and Gardens Foundation). Daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
BOA VIAGEM ISLAND
Boa Viagem Island is a tourist attraction registered by the National Historical Heritage (IPHAN), where the Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem Church, 17th century, and the ruins of a fort are located. The Island was a reference for navigators, who thanked and received blessings for safe navigation. Besides its historical-cultural value, secular architecture and environmental wealth, the Island has the best contemplative view of the Guanabara Bay.Address: Praia da Boa Viagem, s / nº – Boa Viagem – Niterói, RJ.
SOSSEGO BEACH
Between the Piratininga and Camboinhas beaches, Oceanic Region of Niterói. Sossego Beach has access only for pedestrians, through a trail. Having a small extension, it is also frequented by those who come by the sea in boats and yachts. Sossego is one of the most beautiful places and natural patrimony of the city.
SERRA DA TIRIRICA STATE PARK – PESET
Alto Mourão Hill/Tucum Hill – Costão/Andorinhas Hill – The watershed of Piratininga and Itaipu lagoon system, is the natural boundary between the cities of Niterói, São Gonçalo and Maricá, presenting a forest cover of Atlantic Forest in good conditions. It is a permanent preservation area and therefore, animals such as paca, marmoset, armadillo, and a large number of birds are still found in the place. In the lowlands, where the forests contained valuable woods such as vinhático and Brazilwood, deforestation opened space for agriculture and urbanization. It is still possible to find important plants of the Atlantic Forest flora in the woods on the hills of the region. FOR CLIMBING PRACTICE: send e-mail to educacaoambiental@parqueserradatiririca.org. FOR THE PRACTICE OF RADICAL SPORTS: it is necessary to fill out a term of knowledge of risk, at the Reception Desk. The Visitor Reception Desk is located on Itacoatiara Beach, next to the Clube dos Engenheiros. Tel .: +55 21 2638-4411 Daily from 8am to 5pm (During summer time the park runs until 6pm).
JOÃO CAETANO MUNICIPAL THEATER
It is considered by many historians the birth stage of the Brazilian theater, with the debut of the National Drama Company of João Caetano dos Santos, an actor that today gives his name to the building, in 1833. The place went through successive reforms and, in 1900, the Municipal Chamber renamed it João Caetano Municipal Theater. With a capacity of 400 people, the building was registered by the State Institute of Cultural Heritage in 1990. After a great restoration work, which lasted from 1991 to 1995, the theater was reopened on December 19, 1995 with much of its original features. Address: Rua Quinze de Novembro, 35 – Centro, Niterói – RJ – Tel .: +55 21 2620-1624 / +55 21 2613-0098 / +55 21 2613-0106 / +55 21 2621-8462
NITERÓI CITY PARK
City Park is an Environmental Preservation Area located at 270 meters of altitude, with maximum score in the Michelin Green Guide. The privileged view from the belvedere contemplates the Guanabara Bay, oceanic beaches, different neighborhoods of Niterói, Rio-Niterói Bridge and the city of Rio de Janeiro. The City Park also has hiking trails through the woods, a playground with toys for children, a snack bar, a tourist information center, and two ramps for paragliding, an invitation to the more adventurous. Access through the São Francisco neighborhood – Address: Estrada da Viração, s/n – São Francisco, Niterói – RJ – Daily from 9 am to 6 pm – Tels: +55 21 2610-3157
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF ITAIPU
The Archaeological Museum of Itaipu has as its main objective the development of an educational-cultural program aimed at schools and the local community through the disclousure of prehistoric archaeological material. Its collection consists of testimonial objects of the people who lived in the region before 1500 which represent elements of their material culture. Opened to the public for the first time in 1977, the Museum has a room for exhibitions of archaeological material and space for temporary exhibitions and events in the old “Capelinha do Recolhimento”. Address: Praça de Itaipu, S/N – Itaipu, Niterói – RJ, Tels .: +55 21 3701-2994 / +55 21 3701-2966 – Visitation: From Monday to Friday, from 10am to 5pm. Saturday and Holiday, from 9am to 4pm. Guided visit must be scheduled with 1 week in advance. Entrance: R$ 2,00 – Students pay half and for the elderly, entrance is free.
ITACOATIARA BEACH
With 700m of extension and being considered one of the best beaches of the city, its name in Tupi means written, scratched or that has inscriptions stone. Amid lush vegetation, its waters are transparent and bluish. Surfers paradise, it is small and one of the most frequented by the youth, besides offering a rich landscape. In the right corner there is Prainha, a paradise for children, a tiny beach sheltered from the waves and with calm waters for the most time.Address: Avenida Beira-Mar, Itacoatiara – Niterói, RJ.
