While in Rio de Janeiro we weren’t about to pass up the chance to visit Sugarloaf Mountain, locally known as Pão de Açúcar. 

Sugarloaf Mountain sits at the mouth of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean. And there are a number of ways you can get to the top. We took two cable cars, one from land to a peak on Morro da Urca, then another from Morro da Urca to Pão de Açúcar.

But you could also take a helicopter up there!

Once at Morro da Urca you can hang out in a cafe with a vertical garden…

… and also enjoy an unobstructed view of Sugarloaf mountain before continuing the journey with that second cable car to the peak.

Not to play down the cultural significance of the area, but at Morro da Urca there’s also a museum with local history that I didn’t photograph because I felt that might be rude.

After hanging around for a bit we queued up for the second cable car journey and made the trip to the top of Sugarloaf.

Sugarloaf is 1,299 feet (396 meters) above the harbour, so you know the views are going to be good on a clear day. And yes, those white whispy things obscuring my pictures are clouds!

Moving ’round to the other side of Sugarloaf, and I could see some boats (though they look like miniature toys from up here!) off in the distance.

As much as I love London, I wish we had a bit more greenery and water. (I probably should have thought about that when I chose to move!)

I’m terrified of heights, and this is my I made it! picture for proof. (Picture or it didn’t happen, right?)

Then when you’re done exploring, it’s time to start the cable car journey back to the city.

Much love, Katie xo