Accustomed to dictating what is fashionable in the Brazilian summer, the trendy Ipanema beach, in the Southern Zone of Rio de Janeiro, is on the rise outside of Brazil. The Rio paradise, located just over 15 minutes from the financial center of the second largest metropolis in the country, was pointed as a destination not to be missed by two tourism publications. Ipanema ranked second in the list of the nine best city beaches published by British magazine Wanderlust. And occupied the same position in the list of 20 best beaches in the world published by the North American Afar.
Wanderlust listed nine urban beaches that combine beauty with the facilities of being in a big city. Manly Beach, in Sydney, Australia, was at the top of the ranking. Speaking of Ipanema, the magazine highlights that “Rio de Janeiro is another city blessed with a multitude of gorgeous beaches” and highlights the democratic profile of the place. Afar, in turn, lists the 20 best beaches in the world. Shortly after quoting Whitehaven Beach, on Whitsunday Island, Australia, the publication exalts the festive atmosphere of the Rio de Janeiro seaside resort and the beauty of the Dois Irmãos hill.
Famous for concentrating beautiful people and all tribes, the sands of Ipanema are a landmark in the history of Bossa Nova and became world-renowned for the song “Garota de Ipanema(Girl from Ipanema)” by Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Morais. The two-mile stretch of sand, from Arpoador to Jardim de Alah, is among the favorites of Cariocas for its charm and relaxation.
The beach is often used for practice of various sports, such as surf, beach tennis, volleyball, soccer and footvolley. Locals and tourists usually sit on the sand at the end of the afternoon to chat and applaud the magnificent sunset. On Sundays, the vehicles are banned from the promenade, that becomes a temporary leisure area. Biking or skateboarding, walking or watching a live show are some of the options.
:: Wanderlust´s best 9 city beaches
1 – Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia
2 – Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
3 – Barceloneta Beach, Barcelona, Spain
4 – Clifton Beach, Cape Town, South Africa
5 – South Beach, Miami, USA
6 – Playa de la Concha, San Sebastian, Spain
7 – Brighton Beach, Brighton, England
8 – Aoshima Beach, Miyazaki, Japan
9 – Plage Tagharte, Essaouira, Morocco
:: Afar´s 20 best beaches in the world
1 – Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Australia
2 – Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
3 – Waimea Bay Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii
4 -Lister Ellenbogen, Sylt, Germany
5 – Matira Beach, Bora Bora, French Polynesia
6 – Grand Anse Beach, Grenada
7 – Natadola Beach, Viti Levu, Fiji
8 – Praia de Augas Santas, Galicia, Spain
9 – Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
10 – Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, Bandon, Oregon
11 – Long Beach, Koh Rong, Cambodia
12 – Hidden Beach, Marietas Islands, Mexico
13 – Saint Jean, St. Bart’s
14 – Machir Bay, Islay, Scotland
15 – Plaka, Naxos, Greece
16 – Praia da Adraga, Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, Portugal
17 – Cefalù, Sicily, Italy
18 – Ilıca, Çeşme, Turkey
19 – Dolfynstrand, Dolfynstrand, Namibia
20 – Varkala Beach, Kerala, India
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