Hotel near Praça Tiradentes: a neighbourhood guide to downtown Rio

What Praça Tiradentes is like

Praça Tiradentes sits in the heart of Rio de Janeiro's historic centre. In colonial times it was known as the Rossio, and in the middle stands the equestrian statue of Emperor Pedro I, unveiled in 1862, who also gives his name to the hotel's street: Rua Pedro Primeiro.

Around the square are the Teatro João Caetano, one of the oldest theatres in Rio, and the Teatro Carlos Gomes; next to it, Rua do Lavradio is lined with old mansions, antique shops and samba houses.

The 3-star Hotel Atlântico Tower (formerly Rio's Presidente) occupies an art deco corner building half a block from the square.

What's around the square

Approximate straight-line distances from the hotel (OpenStreetMap). Almost everything is within walking distance.

How to get to Praça Tiradentes

There is a VLT (light rail) stop on the square itself and three metro stations a short walk away.

• VLT: the Tiradentes stop is about 150 m from the hotel. Lines 2 and 4 go to Praça XV (ferries to Niterói), Central do Brasil and the Novo Rio bus station.
• Metro: Carioca station about 500 m away, Presidente Vargas about 700 m and Cinelândia 850 m. Lines 1 and 2 go to Flamengo, Botafogo, Copacabana, Ipanema and the Maracanã.
• Santos Dumont airport (2.3 km): about 10 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing app, or the VLT (lines 1 or 3) to the Carioca stop and some 600 m on foot.
• Galeão airport (15 km): 30 to 45 minutes by car. With light luggage, take the BRT to Vicente de Carvalho and the metro (line 2) to Carioca; at weekends you may need to change trains at Estácio.
• Taxi or app: ask for «Rua Pedro Primeiro 19, Praça Tiradentes».

If you arrive at night or with luggage, you can book a fixed-price transfer in advance.

See airport transfers

Things to do near the square, on foot

A half-day walk with no transport needed, starting at the hotel door:

1. Praça Tiradentes, the statue of Pedro I and the façade of the Teatro João Caetano.
2. The Real Gabinete Português de Leitura, a few blocks away.
3. Largo da Carioca and the Convent of Santo Antônio.
4. A coffee at Confeitaria Colombo.
5. The Theatro Municipal and Cinelândia, about a 10-minute walk, with the National Museum of Fine Arts and the National Library around them.
6. Lapa: the Arches, the Selarón Steps and, at night, samba and choro.

With more time, the VLT takes you to Praça XV and the Paço Imperial; the Rio Art Museum (1.7 km) and the Museum of Tomorrow (2 km) are a short VLT or taxi ride away.

Why stay in downtown Rio

Downtown suits travellers who want to see historic Rio on foot, with theatres, museums, churches and Lapa nearby, and the metro running straight to the South Zone.

It is also practical for business trips, for an evening at the theatre and for anyone flying into Santos Dumont. If you want the beach every day, the South Zone, about 8 km away, makes more sense.

Downtown, Lapa, Santa Teresa or the South Zone: comparison

Approximate distances from the square; no prices, because rates change with the date.

Safety in practice

On weekdays, during the day, the area around the square is one of the busiest parts of Rio. On show nights there are people at the theatre doors, and Lapa concentrates the nightlife from Thursday to Saturday.

How to choose your room at the Atlântico Tower

There are ten room types, all with air conditioning, TV, safe, free Wi-Fi and a private bathroom with shower:

• Couples: Standard Room (the most booked) or Deluxe Room, the upper category with a double bed.
• Two separate beds: Standard Twin or Deluxe Twin, the latter with more space.
• Three or four people: Triple and Quadruple, Standard or Deluxe; the bed combination depends on availability.
• Families of up to five: Standard Family or Deluxe Family. Children of all ages are welcome and a free cot is available on request for under-1s.
• At the hotel: rooftop pool with waterfall and bar, gym, Restaurante Presidente (Brazilian cuisine) and a second restaurant with cocktails; breakfast included in most rates.
• By car or with reduced mobility: private 24-hour parking (daily charge, subject to availability) and adapted access and rooms.

Check-in from 2 pm; check-out from 8 to 11 am. Cancellation is free on most rates: check the conditions when you see availability for your dates.

Rua Pedro Primeiro 19: the address

Rua Pedro Primeiro 19, Centro, Rio de Janeiro, postcode 20060-050, Brazil, half a block from Praça Tiradentes. The hotel used to be called Rio's Presidente: it changed its name, not its address, and some maps still show the old name. Photos, rooms and reviews are on the hotel page.

Frequently asked questions about Praça Tiradentes