Christ the Redeemer Statue (Cristo Redentor)

The basics

The awe-inspiring Christ the Redeemer statue stands 130 feet (39 meters) tall, with open arms measuring 98 feet (30 meters) across. It’s the largest art deco statue in the world. Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa worked with French-Polish sculptor Paul Landowski to design the statue which is made of reinforced concrete.

Just about every tour of the city of Rio de Janeiro includes a stop at Christ the Redeemer. Many combine a visit with other top attractions such as the Sugarloaf Mountain cable car and Santa Teresa. Choose between hiking tours, city sightseeing tours, and half-day trips to the statue.

Things to know before you go

• Skip-the-line Christ the Redeemer Statue (Cristo Redentor) tickets and exclusive early-access Christ the Redeemer Statue (Cristo Redentor) tours allow you to beat the crowds to the top.

• Choose between a private tour and a small-group tour for an exclusive experience.

• Tours include either cog train tickets or vehicle transportation to the top of the mountain.

• The Corcovado Train departs every 20 to 30 minutes and is wheelchair accessible.

How to get there

To reach the statue at the top of Corcovado, take the cog train or minibus from Santa Teresa. The train, which offers some spectacular views (especially if you sit on the right-hand side), leaves from the Cosme Velho train station at Rua Cosme Velho 513.

When to get there

The site is open from morning to evening, with hours varying seasonally. On a clear day, the views from the base of the statue include Copacabana Beach, Leblon Beach (Leblon Beach), Ipanema Beach, and Guanabara Bay. After dark, the statue lights up and appears to hover over all of Rio. Expect heavy crowds in the summer, so consider booking a skip-the-line ticket to save some time.

Visiting the nearby Tijuca Rainforest

Regardless of how you reach the top of Corcovado, you'll travel through the Tijuca Rainforest. One of the world's largest urban rain forests at 12.4 square miles (32 square kilometers), Tijuca is home to diverse species of Brazilian plant and animal life. Before or after your visit to the statue, plan to spend some time exploring the surroundings here.

Ways to explore

You can't go to Rio de Janeiro without visiting the Christ the Redeemer statue—and the mountaintop statue is almost as impressive as the views overlooking the cityscape below. For hassle-free logistics, you can see this famous attraction as part of a guided tour, whether on a hiking tour, city sightseeing tour, or on a dedicated trip to the statue. Some itineraries also combine visits with other top Rio sights, such as Sugarloaf Mountain and the bohemian neighborhood of Santa Teresa.

Accessibility

Christ the Redeemer is partly accessible to wheelchair users—the tram is accessible, but the statue’s pedestal can only be reached by escalators.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Water bottle, camera, sunglasses

What to wear

Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate layers—expect it to be more exposed, or potentially cooler, than at ground level.

Not allowed

Pets, wearing swimsuits, feeding monkeys, climbing railings

Amenities

Bathrooms, gift shops, food concessions

Address 

Christ the Redeemer is located atop Corcovado Mountain. To get there, board a mountain rack railway in Cosme Velho, take a shuttle, or join a guided tour. Hiking trails reach the summit, but may not be safe for tourists.

Driving

It is not possible to drive yourself to the summit of Corcovado Mountain to see Christ the Redeemer. Use official shuttle services, or take a taxi or rideshare to the Cosme Velho railway station.

Public transportation

The Corcovado Train, or Trem do Corcovado, is a mountain rack railway that connects Rio’s Cosme Velho neighborhood directly with Christ the Redeemer. It’s a great way to get there, especially if you book tickets early.

Best times to visit

Christ the Redeemer is open daily from mid-morning until early evening; visitors should arrive one hour before closing time. Go in the early morning to beat the crowds.

Best days to visit

As one of Rio’s most popular sights, Christ the Redeemer is usually very crowded. That’s especially true on weekends—try for a weekday instead.

Best months to visit

Try visiting Christ the Redeemer between March and June, after the high season, to beat the crowds.

Special events

Christ the Redeemer is often illuminated for events throughout the year, and the annual Christ the Redeemer Half Marathon is held here.