Lage Park | Parque Lage
Rio's Lage Park is stunning and highly recommended
Parque Henrique Lage is located at 414, Rua Jardim Botanico, in the city of Rio de Janeiro. It lies north of Ipanema Beach and the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, at the foot of Corcovado Mountain. This beautiful garden became a public park in the 1960s with no admission charge to the public. Featuring historical architecture (some as old as the 1840s) and protected rainforest gardens with several walking trails. In 2004 the gardens of Parque Henrique Lage became part of the Tijuca National Park.
The park has many adventures for the whole family. Take advantage of one of the picnic areas. There’s a children’s playground. Stroll across the bridges and along the hiking trails, geared for a variety of different levels of hikers. Wander through the Italian villa that got its start in the early 1920s. The historic estate is now a visual arts school: Escola de Artes Visuais do Parque Lage. This school is opened to the public. Walk through the halls and witness students at work creating art. Make your way to the balcony that overlooks the villa’s Swimming pool. Enjoy a tasty meal at the Cafe du Lage. At this little oasis you will get a spectacular view of Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer.
The park provided the setting where Snoop Dogg and Pharrell filmed their music video “Beautiful.”
In 1922 Henrique lag had the mansion redesigned to please his wife, Italian opera singer Gabriella Besanzon. Henrique Lage hired an Italian architect and designer Mario Vodret, who gave the mansion its Italian marbles, tiles, interior paintings by Salvador Paylos Sabate of salons, and a courtyard that frames the central swimming pool and fountain. This gives you the feeling that you are in an Italian villa. The design added to the existing style gives an eclectic style to the mansion.
To enter the premises you go through double gates inviting you along a windy driveway lined with Royal Palms. This leads to the beautiful structure surrounded by 52 hectares of picturesque gardens and trails. The premises are filled with ponds, lush rainforests and miles of paths that wind through shady areas creating a calming atmosphere. Explore man-made caves, made from artificial rocks and logs. One cave showcasing 12 beautiful aquariums. These aquariums are embedded in the walls, displaying a variety of fish from lakes and rivers in Brazil. The largest tank has the capacity to hold 6,000-litres. Children love to view these gorgeous species.
June 14th, 1957 the Historical and Artistic Institute listed Henrique Lage Park a historical and cultural heritage of the city of Rio de Janeiro.
If you are an experienced hiker, you will likely enjoy hiking up through hills and rainforest to the summit of Corcovado. It is not advisable to hike this trail alone though, as tourists have been robbed on it.
After touring Parque Henrique Lage make your way to Jardim Botanico the nearby Botanical Gardens. These gardens feature plants from all around the world, covering an area of 338 acres. There’s a fee to enter the gardens.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee:Parque Lage Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: R. Jardim Botânico, 414 - Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22461-000, Brazil
Official Website: Parque Lage
Parque Lage Reviews
Rated out of 5
Nice family park. Nice palace, but would like more info on its history. People posing for selfies are very inconsiderate of others. How many ways can one pose? Clean bathrooms at entrance. Looks like nice restaurant inside the palace. There is a food vendor next to the palace. No tickets necessary. It is a good place for more views of the Redeemer.
Paul - 3 weeks ago
Beautiful view and architecture. The grounds are even more beautiful to visit. Easy to book tickets via the parks website. Recommend not doing this as a tour spot as it's easy to get to and better to self pace walking around.
P Van - a month ago
Beautiful park! Nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. No entrance fee. Or at least not from where we entered, which was the back entrance coming down from Cristo Redentor on the trail. Fun caves and bridges all over the place, good for kids, not very big. If you wanted, you could venture into the woods/jungle, or even hike all the way up to the statue (but it’s an hr down, so at least 2,5 hrs up!)
Maria Hudson - 3 weeks ago
Very pretty and unique park. Many structures were created to almost look like ruins, lost to the jungle, but they are just decoration. The park is not too large so if you skip the palace, walking the whole thing can be done in under an hour.
Robert Hoffman - 3 months ago
Apparently you used to have to line up only if you wanted to take a picture in front of the water & building. Now you have to wait in line just to go in to walk around. That's absurd! You can still walk around the grounds outside of the building without a que. It's a good thing it was free (except for the cost of an Uber). I would absolutely not recommended this place.
Heather S. - a week ago
Directions
| Metro and Metro Bus Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 - Orange or Line 2 - Green | Botafogo | 3 MInutes |
How to get to Parque Lage by Metro and Metro Bus
Purhase a Metro na Superficie farecard take the Metro to Botafogo Station and transfer to the blue 'Metro na Superficie Bus' destined for Gavea and ride it to the stop far side of Rua Rua Nina Rodrigues which is a little past beyond the park entrance. Exit and walk back along Rua Jamim Botanico to the park entrance. (3 minutes).
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Photo Credit: acmoraes - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: acmoraes - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: acmoraes - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: acmoraes - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Catarina Oberlander - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Fora do Eixo - cc license via Flickr
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