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: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 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
Just stopped here quickly on a tour of Rio so only had 30 minutes to explore. They had both vending machines and washrooms right at the entrance. Although I did not use the washroom so can't speak on how clean they are. The palace is currently under renovation/ restoration which is to bad because we didn't get to see it fully. But amazing that they are carrying for the historic building. There are two man made caves one much bigger and one small that has fish tanks in the walls. It seems though that most of the tanks where either empty or had fish that didn't match the signage. It seems like there is tons and tons to do in this park and it is very beautiful.
Izzy Edey - 4 months ago
The park is harmonious and peaceful, filled with lush greenery and towering trees. You can walk around and explore the area, or even hike up the hill to access Christ the Redeemer. I didn’t get a chance to visit the café, but even from the outside it looked lovely. I would definitely recommend this place.
Temsiri Tem. - 4 months ago
A very nice park that is ornate in its vegetation. The trails are clearly marked and it's very comfortable to walk throughout the entire park without getting confused as to where you're going. There are naturally growing jackfruit trees everywhere in this Park, which means that fruit are falling onto the ground as time goes on and ripening and then decomposing, as there is no one there to clean up the mess. This means a foul stench in areas where the fruit is decomposing and lots of flies. In the warmer months, such as during carnival, I do recommend bringing mosquito spray, because while you can't see them, they are there and they attack relentlessly. However, I am happy to say that these are not the bites that bother you for days on end, but you are going to get some bites. You can't get views of the pool as the mansion is going through some sort of rehabilitation. All in all a great place to walk around and and see what Rio has to offer in terms of nature. We also saw some marmoset monkeys hanging out in some trees during our mini hike which was pretty cool.
Andy A - 2 months ago
Beautiful park with atlantic forest stretching from here.
A large area with walking trails.
A small coffeshop inside the entrance open.
The main palace closed due to renovation, but park open.
Tor Sund - 3 months ago
Nice park, sadly the building I wanted to see was in renovation (I assume) so ye but besides that nice place
Itsme-scar - a month 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 Gallery
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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