Meeting: 08h00 at Rio & Learn
Costs: 400 reais
Includes: Transportation + Tour + Imperial Museum + Brewery Bohemia
Want to escape Rio for a day and discover a completely different side of the state? Join our RioLIVE! Petrópolis Visit and travel with us to the mountains of Rio de Janeiro to explore a city filled with Brazilian history, imperial architecture, beautiful gardens and plenty of culture!
Known as the Imperial City, Petrópolis became closely connected to the Brazilian imperial family and was one of Emperor Dom Pedro II’s favorite places. During our visit, we’ll explore impressive palaces, walk through the charming Historical Center, learn more about Brazil’s imperial past and finish our adventure by discovering another important Petrópolis tradition: Brazilian beer!
Located in the mountainous region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Petrópolis offers a completely different atmosphere from the capital. Its name combines Petrus, the Latin form of Pedro, with pólis, the Greek word for city, literally meaning “City of Pedro.” The city became especially important during the reign of Dom Pedro II, who frequently spent long periods there with the imperial family and court. During the warmer months, Petrópolis became an important center of political and social life in the Brazilian Empire.
Today, its palaces, churches, mansions, museums and gardens preserve different chapters of Brazilian history, while its mountains and milder climate make Petrópolis one of the most charming destinations in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
Ready to travel back in time?
Our first stop will be the impressive Quitandinha Palace, one of the most iconic buildings in Petrópolis. Opened in the 1940s, Quitandinha was created as a luxurious hotel and casino and quickly became one of the most glamorous destinations in Brazil. We’ll begin our visit from the side of the palace, exploring the building and its surroundings before finishing at its magnificent main entrance, the perfect place to appreciate its architecture and take some incredible photos.
Our next stop will be the beautiful Crystal Palace, one of the most charming landmarks in Petrópolis. Its glass-and-metal structure was inspired by European architecture. Surrounded by gardens, the palace offers a completely different atmosphere from our first stop and gives us another glimpse into the elegance and history of Imperial Petrópolis.
Walking through the city is part of the experience. Along the way, we’ll see historic buildings, old mansions and charming streets while learning more about the city and practicing Portuguese together. One of our main stops will be the impressive Cathedral of São Pedro de Alcântara.
Built in a beautiful Neo-Gothic style, the cathedral is closely connected to Brazil’s imperial history. Inside, you can find the tombs of Emperor Dom Pedro II and Empress Teresa Cristina, as well as other members of the Brazilian imperial family. It is one of the most important places in Petrópolis for understanding the legacy of the Brazilian monarchy.
The palace was built in the 19th century and later transformed into a museum dedicated to preserving the history of the Brazilian Empire. Its collection includes furniture, artwork, documents and objects connected to the imperial family, giving us the opportunity to understand a little more about life in Brazil during the monarchy.
Walking through the former imperial palace makes Brazilian history feel much more real!
After exploring Imperial Brazil, it’s time to discover another important part of Petrópolis: its brewing tradition!
From the Imperial Museum, we’ll head to the Bohemia Brewery for our brewery tour. Petrópolis has a long history connected to beer production, and Bohemia is one of the most traditional beer brands in Brazil. During the experience, we’ll learn about the history of beer, discover more about the ingredients and brewing process and explore the connection between beer and the city of Petrópolis.
After a day filled with palaces and imperial history, it’s the perfect way to finish our adventure!
At RioLIVE!, Portuguese goes beyond the classroom and into the real world. During our Petrópolis Visit, you’ll spend the day talking with your teacher and classmates while learning vocabulary related to Brazilian history, architecture, the monarchy, museums, travel, culture and beer. From walking through the Historical Center to visiting a brewery, every part of the day becomes a new opportunity to communicate naturally in Portuguese.
So bring comfortable shoes, your camera and your curiosity, we have a lot to explore!
Come discover the Imperial City with Rio & Learn!
See our last activities at Petrópolis:
| March 2026 | September 2025 | ||
| July 2025 | September 2023 | January 2023 | December 2022 |
| April 2019 | October 2018 | July 2018 | February 2018 |
| July 2017 | April 2017 | January 2017 | August 2016 |
Yasmin Teixeira is Rio & Learn’s RioLIVE! Supervisor, bringing a strong background in hospitality, tourism, and event operations, which makes her a perfect match for leading unforgettable experiences in Rio. With hands-on experience coordinating corporate events and service teams in major hotels, she’s skilled at planning logistics, ensuring high service standards, and delivering smooth, guest-focused execution from start to finish. Her international experience in Germany and a natural talent for welcoming and assisting people means she knows how to create a warm, organized, and engaging environment for our students. Yasmin blends professionalism, energy, and attention to detail, exactly what RioLIVE! needs to run with excellence.
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One Response
Hi, I’d be happy to join the trip this Sunday (24th).
Thanks,
Anastasiya