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South AmericaBrazilRio de Janeiro

Petrópolis

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil · South America

About Petrópolis

Petrópolis sits on the route: 25 minutes from Guapimirim, 41km from Rio-Niterói Bridge.

Petrópolis is a city located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. With a population of 272,691, it is an important destination in South America.

On a road trip, Petrópolis sits in Brazil, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Sao Paulo time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Petrópolis to your route.

About Petrópolis

Petrópolis (Portuguese: [peˈtɾɔpolis, -pu-]) is a city of the estado (state) of central Rio de Janeiro, in southeastern Brazil, in a valley of the Órgãos Mountains, 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of Rio de Janeiro city. According to the 2022 Brazilian census, Petrópolis municipality had a population of 278,881

Read more inhabitants. Besides being the largest and most populous city in the Fluminense Mountain Region, the city also has the largest Gross Domestic Product and Human Development Index in the region. The town's name ("City of Peter") honors Pedro II, the last Emperor of Brazil, who is entombed there at the Cathedral of Saint Peter of Alcantara. The city was the summer residence of the Brazilian Emperors and aristocrats in the 19th century, and was the official capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro during the First Brazilian Republic, between 1894 and 1902.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Petrópolis

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Petrópolis?

Petrópolis offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Petrópolis?

Plan your road trip to Petrópolis with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Petrópolis as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Petrópolis located?

Petrópolis is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, South America. The coordinates are -22.5050 latitude, -43.1786 longitude.

What is the population of Petrópolis?

Petrópolis has a population of approximately 272,691 people, making it a city in Brazil.

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Quick Information

Population
272,691
Continent
South America
Country
Brazil
Region
Rio de Janeiro
Timezone
America/Sao_Paulo
Coordinates
-22.5050, -43.1786

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Brazil

Police
190
Ambulance
192
Fire
193
Driving side
right
Full driving guide for Brazil

Tags

South AmericaBrazilRio de JaneiroCity

Worth the detour from Petrópolis

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

bridge

Rio-Niterói Bridge

13 km box-girder giant striding across Guanabara Bay: the longest bridge in the Southern Hemisphere at its opening in 1974, with sweeping views of Rio's skyline.

41 km · about 45 min drive

museum

Museu do Amanhã

Science museum by Santiago Calatrava on Rio's revitalised Praça Mauá waterfront, adjacent to the port district drive.

43 km · about 50 min drive

cafe

Confeitaria Colombo

An 1894 Rio patisserie of Belgian mirrors, Portuguese tiles and jacaranda cabinets, built when the city was flush with coffee money and still serving pastel de nata under a vast stained-glass skylight.

45 km · about 50 min drive

photogenic

Escadaria Selaron

A staircase between Lapa and Santa Teresa covered by Chilean artist Jorge Selaron in over 2,000 tiles sent from 60 countries, worked on daily from 1990 until his death in 2013.

46 km · about 55 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar)

A granite peak rising 396 meters from Guanabara Bay, reached by cable car with sweeping views of Rio's beaches, mountains, and cityscape.

49 km · about 55 min drive

tunnel

Rebouças Tunnel

Twin-bore road tunnel under the Tijuca massif linking Rio's South Zone to the North Zone, about 2.8 kilometres long.

49 km · about 55 min drive

landmark

Christ the Redeemer

Towering 30-metre Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ atop Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro.

50 km · about 55 min drive

beach

Copacabana Beach

Rio de Janeiro's legendary four-kilometre stretch of sand framed by dramatic mountains and buzzing with energy.

52 km · about 60 min drive

Driving roads near Petrópolis

  • 41 kmRio-Niterói Bridge13 km box-girder giant striding across Guanabara Bay: the longest bridge in the Southern Hemisphere at its opening in 1974, with sweeping views of Rio's skyline.
  • 49 kmSugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar)A granite peak rising 396 meters from Guanabara Bay, reached by cable car with sweeping views of Rio's beaches, mountains, and cityscape.
  • 49 kmRebouças TunnelTwin-bore road tunnel under the Tijuca massif linking Rio's South Zone to the North Zone, about 2.8 kilometres long.
  • 53 kmVista ChinesaA pagoda-style belvedere built in 1903 in the Tijuca forest, giving a framed view over the Lagoa, Corcovado, Ipanema and Sugarloaf. Reachable by car on the Estrada da Vista Chinesa.

When to drive here

Year-round

Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Petrópolis.

Guapimirim

🇧🇷 Brazil

21 km awayPop. 54,300

Magé

🇧🇷 Brazil

22 km awayPop. 244,092

Teresópolis

🇧🇷 Brazil

23 km awayPop. 176,692

São Pedro

🇧🇷 Brazil

24 km awayPop. 20,424

Paty do Alferes

🇧🇷 Brazil

26 km awayPop. 29,619

Miguel Pereira

🇧🇷 Brazil

30 km awayPop. 28,123

Areal

🇧🇷 Brazil

31 km awayPop. 12,236

Duque de Caxias

🇧🇷 Brazil

34 km awayPop. 818,329

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence