The Escadaria Selarón is the staircase covered in colorful tiles that links Lapa with Santa Teresa. It's a public street, so there's no ticket and no opening hours, and you can see it in a short time. What changes the experience most is when you go and how you link it to the rest of your walk. This guide helps you plan it.
At a glance
- Where: between Rua Joaquim Silva, in Lapa, and Rua Pinto Martins, in Santa Teresa, about five minutes from the Arcos da Lapa, according to Riotur ↗.
- Cost: nothing. It's a public staircase.
- How long: half an hour is enough to climb it, look at the tiles and take photos.
- When to go: during the day. Early on there are usually fewer people in your photos.
- What to pair it with: the Arcos da Lapa, the Santa Teresa tram and a stroll around the neighborhood above.
A work of more than twenty years
The staircase is the work of Chilean artist Jorge Selarón, who started working on it in 1990, according to Riotur ↗. For more than two decades he covered the steps and walls with tiles from Brazil and many other countries: more than two thousand, according to the SBT News report cited below. Selarón died in 2013.
In 2015 Rio's city government declared the staircase a protected city landmark, so it can't be altered without municipal authorization, as SBT News ↗ reported. The staircase became famous worldwide thanks to the music videos filmed there, as Riotur notes, and today it's one of Rio's most sought-after photo backdrops.
Getting there and walking it
The most practical option is to get to Lapa and start at the bottom, on Rua Joaquim Silva: the Arcos da Lapa are a few minutes' walk away. If you come by metro, get off at one of the Centro stations or at Glória and work out the walk with your phone's map; otherwise, take a ride-hailing car.
Climbing from the bottom up makes sense: you start in Lapa and come out at the top in Santa Teresa, where you can keep exploring. Take your time and look at the tiles up close: every section is different.
When to go
- In the morning: this is the less crowded time usually recommended for photos. There's no guarantee, because it depends on the day and on the groups that show up.
- Weekends and high season: expect more people, and patience to get your photo on the step.
- Not at night: the staircase isn't a nighttime outing. If you go out at night in Lapa, follow the advice in safety in Rio.
Carry little, keep your phone out only for the photo and don't leave it resting on the steps.
What to pair it with
- Arcos da Lapa: a few minutes' walk away. More ideas for the area in the Lapa guide.
- Santa Teresa: from the top of the staircase, the neighborhood keeps climbing, with cobblestone streets, artists' studios and lookouts. Plan your visit with the Santa Teresa guide.
- The tram: the historic bonde climbs to Santa Teresa from Centro. How to buy a ticket and which sections are running, in how to ride the bonde.
One possible order: the bonde from Centro up to Santa Teresa in the morning, a walk around the neighborhood and down the staircase to Lapa for lunch. You can also do it the other way around if you'd rather climb on foot.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pay or book?
No. It's a public street with no admission. Be wary of anyone who wants to charge you to climb it or to take your photo.
Is it accessible?
Not for wheelchairs: it's a sloping staircase. You can see and photograph the first section from Rua Joaquim Silva. If you're traveling with reduced mobility, see Rio with reduced mobility.
Can I go with kids?
Yes, during the day. Keep in mind that the steps are uneven and that it gets very busy at peak times.
Sources: Riotur: Escadaria Selarón ↗ and SBT News ↗, accessed October 27, 2026.