Attractions Nearby Buzios, Day Trips and Excursions

(Buzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

The eastern side of Rio de Janeiro contains a plethora of attractions and interesting cities, many of which are easily reached from Buzios and are highly suitable for excursions. With more than 20 outlying beaches just a relatively short drive away, do be sure to leave time to explore the coastline.

Day trips to Saquarema are especially popular and this charming town is a little under 80 km / 50 miles to the south-west of Buzios. The main attractions in Saquarema include the magnificent white-washed Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Nazaré (Church of Our Lady of Nazareth), which is perched at the top of a hill and overlooks the lagoon below. Each September, some 150,000 pilgrims head to this church for a spectacular mass and religious celebrations.


Tourists from Buzios also come to Saquarema for its beaches and national surfing competitions. Notable beach attractions include the Praia de Barra Nova, the Praia do Boqueirao, the Praia de Itauna, the Praia de Jaconé, the Praia da Vila and the Praia de Vilatu.

General Information

Many holiday makers choose to take an excursion to Arraial do Cabo, which is located approximately 38 km / 24 miles to the south of Buzios and roughly 45 km / 28 miles to the east of Saquarema, being easily reached in under 50 minutes from either. This resort town features a sweeping white sandy coastline, some enormous sand dunes and plentiful sunshine.

The beaches of Arraial do Cabo are without question its main attraction, with some good choices being just a stroll away from downtown or a short boat trip away. Day trippers also come here in the hope of spotting humpback whales swimming close by, during their annual migration.

One of the most popular attractions nearby Buzios is Cabo Frio, a busy beach resort lying just 25 km / 16 miles to the south-west. Cabo Frio comes with a variety of attractions, the best of which include various lengthy beaches stretching towards Arraial do Cabo and Buzios, the Teatro Municipal (Municipal Theatre), the Igraja Nossa Senhora da Assuncao (Church of Our Lady of Assumption) and an early 17th-century stone fortress named the Forte Sao Mateus. The Praia do Forte is the main beach here, while the Praia do Pero is known for its sand dunes and surfing conditions.