Small and sheltered, Praia Vermelha (Red Beach) lies in Urca, between the Babilônia hill and the pair formed by Urca Hill and Sugarloaf — right beside the cable car station. It is one of the calmest beaches in the South Zone, with the sea framed by the hills.
The name comes from its coarse sand, in reddish and golden tones. Facing it is Praça General Tibúrcio, surrounded by military schools and institutions, which gives the place a quiet, orderly air. It was in Urca, in 1565, that Estácio de Sá founded the city of Rio de Janeiro.
At the corner of the beach, at the foot of the hills, begins the Pista Cláudio Coutinho, a flat path of about 1.2 km that skirts the base of Urca Hill and Sugarloaf, between the forest and the sea. Marmosets in the trees and anglers on the rocks are a common sight. The path is also the starting point of the trail up Urca Hill.
The water at Praia Vermelha is usually calm, without big waves — good for a relaxed swim. On the sand and around the square there are kiosks and restaurants, some with tables facing the sea — and from there you can watch the cable cars gliding up to Urca Hill.
The highlight is combining it all in one outing: walk the path, take a dip, have lunch with a view and, in the late afternoon, ride the cable car up Sugarloaf. For those who prefer to stay below, watching the sky change color between the hills is reason enough to come.
Tips: go in the morning to walk the path while it is cooler and less crowded. Bring water, sunscreen and swimwear. At weekends the beach is in demand, so arrive early. If you plan to hike up Urca Hill, wear proper shoes and avoid the hottest hours.