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Selarón’s Steps
Rio is rich in public art, but none is as loved and used as Selarón Steps (Escadaria Selarón). During the 1990s, local artist Jorge Selarón transformed this once average urban utility into a technicolor stairway of brightly colored tile mosaics. Walk up the flights of steps, admiring tiles from throughout the world and appreciate the monumental scale of this eccentric artists life’s work.
The Chilean-born Selarón moved to Rio in 1983 after a life of travel. In 1990, he decided to decorate the unsightly staircase outside of his house. Using stray pieces of ceramic tile, he turned the whole 250 stairs into a huge mosaic. As he worked, his art gained popularity, eventually achieving world fame in music videos by music stars like Snoop Dogg. Until the day of his death in 2013, Selarón could still be found working on the steps wearing his signature red hat.
Selarón Steps are an intricate masterwork. Start from the bottom of the steps and walk up. On the front of each step is a unique mosaic consisting mostly of blue and yellow tiles. On either side of the staircase, Selarón has arranged a wide array of bright-red tiles. Climb all the way to the top of the steps to see a mosaic of the Brazilian flag.
Throughout his mosaics, Selarón has placed original artworks and tiles donated by visitors from throughout the world. See which tiles you can recognize; Diana, Princess of Wales, Barack Obama and the state of Georgia are just a few of the commemorative tiles featured on the steps. More than 2,000 tiles from over 60 countries can be found on Selarón Steps. Study Selarón’s paintings, which often feature his signature subject, a pregnant woman.
Selarón Steps straddle the neighborhoods of Lapa and Santa Teresa, both of which are situated in the southeastern part of downtown Rio de Janeiro. Parking in the area can be difficult, so it is best to reach the stairs by public transportation. Bus stops surround the area and the metro stop at Cinelândia lies just to the north.
Popular Activities at Selaron Steps
It's worth giving yourself heaps of time at Selaron Steps. Here are the most popular activities:
- Sunset Experience - Christ, Selarón and Sunset at Sugarloaf
- Full-Day Tour to Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer & Selaron Steps
- Full-day Rio de Janeiro City Tour with lunch
- Rio Walking Tour
If you're looking for even more options, check out our Rio de Janeiro things to do page.
Guide to Exploring around Selaron Steps
Best Lodging Options Near Selaron Steps
Per night/room
Sep 30 - Oct 1
Hotel Atlantico Business Centro
Rua Senador Dantas, 25, Centro, Rio de Janeiro, RJLocated in Centro, this hotel is steps from Guanabara Bay and National Library (Biblioteca Nacional). Arcos da Lapa and Catedral de Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro are also within 10 minutes. Cinelandia Station is only a 4-minute walk and Carioca Station is 7 minutes.
Per night/room
Oct 1 - Oct 2
Américas Granada Hotel
Avenida Gomes Freire, 530 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro, RJLocated in Lapa, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Arcos da Lapa and Catedral de Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro. National Library (Biblioteca Nacional) and Museum of Modern Art are also within 1 mi (2 km). Carioca Station is 13 minutes by foot and Presidente Vargas Station is 13 minutes.
Per night/room
Oct 21 - Oct 22
Selina Lapa Rio de Janeiro - Hostel
Rua Visc. de Maranguape, 9 - Centro, Rio de JaneiroLocated in Lapa, this hotel is steps from Guanabara Bay and Arcos da Lapa. Catedral de Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro and National Library (Biblioteca Nacional) are also within 10 minutes. Cinelandia Station is 8 minutes by foot and Gloria Station is 9 minutes.
Per night/room
Oct 7 - Oct 8
Hotel Atlântico Prime
Rua do Resende 87, Rio de Janeiro, RJLocated in Lapa, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Praca da Cruz Vermelha, Arcos da Lapa, and Catedral de Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro. National Library (Biblioteca Nacional) and Museum of Modern Art are also within 1 mi (2 km). Cinelandia Station is 16 minutes by foot and Presidente Vargas Station is 16 minutes.
Per night/room
Oct 13 - Oct 14
Prodigy Santos Dumont
Av. Almirante Silvio de Noronha, 365, Rio de Janeiro, RJLocated in Centro, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Guanabara Bay and Museum of Modern Art. National Library (Biblioteca Nacional) and Flamengo Beach are also within 2 mi (3 km). Cinelandia Station is 17 minutes by foot and Carioca Station is 21 minutes.
Per night/room
Sep 23 - Sep 24
Casa Nova Hotel
Rua do Riachuelo,105, Centro, Rio de Janeiro, RJLocated in Santa Teresa, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Guanabara Bay, Arcos da Lapa, and Catedral de Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro. National Library (Biblioteca Nacional) and Museum of Modern Art are also within 1 mi (2 km). Cinelandia Station is 14 minutes by foot and Gloria Station is 16 minutes.
Per night/room
Sep 26 - Sep 27
OYO Lapa Ville Hotel
NA, Rua da Lapa, 123 , Centro, Rio de Janeiro, RJLocated in Centro, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Guanabara Bay, Arcos da Lapa, and National Library (Biblioteca Nacional). Catedral de Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro and Museum of Modern Art are also within 15 minutes. Gloria Station is 6 minutes by foot and Cinelandia Station is 9 minutes.
Per night/room
Sep 24 - Sep 25
Hotel Americano
Rua Joaquim Silva 69, Lapa, Centro, Rio de Janeiro, RJLocated in Lapa, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Guanabara Bay, Arcos da Lapa, and Catedral de Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro. National Library (Biblioteca Nacional) and Museum of Modern Art are also within 15 minutes. Gloria Station is 8 minutes by foot and Cinelandia Station is 9 minutes.