Brazil always existed as a kind of mythical place in my mind. It is an incredible landscape, home to Amazon's rainforests and beaches, with Grammy-winning songs written on them. I will not deny that there is something special about the South American country. Also, 11 hours is good A flight from London to Brazil means that it's not necessarily a place where you can just dive in. That's why I decided to spend three weeks at the beginning of this year.
I was actually in Rio de Janeiro to celebrate the annual carnival, which is also the largest carnival in the world, but a trip to Brazil's former capital would not be complete without time to spend on the beach. In fact, the beach shoreline and 99 beaches are dressed to fall into the sand and sea, with swimsuits and flip-flops being practically essential outfits in town. You will soon learn that not only going to the beach, but not just an activity, but a way of life for many of the locals of Rio.
Before my trip to Brazil there was one beach that stuck out in my heart. Ipanema Beach. It was sung in history's second-largest pop song, “The Girl from Ipanema,” and was originally recorded by Brazilian singer Astrud Gilberto, and has since been covered by Frank Sinatra, Aesa Kit and Amy Winehouse.
It also appeared on TripAdvisor's 2025 Best of the Best Beach. The award is an award that recognizes beaches who receive a large amount of “on top” reviews on travel websites.
So it's safe to say I have high expectations for this majestic beach, which both musicians and visitors adore. I imagined myself in an endless spread of white sand overlooking the blue ocean of the South Atlantic, with two iconic siblings mountains in the background.
But like most points, it's never exactly the same, just like you might have drawn in your head. Considering that I had visited Rio during a carnival that attracted an estimated 2 million visitors, the beach was barely packed with free space.
Perhaps I was chosen with more bathing options in Europe and although it wasn't a quiet experience related to being on the beach, it was undoubtedly surreal to see how the cities gather in Ipanema.
The city spills over the coast, and vendors sell everything from swimsuits to food and chairs, or lounges. That means you don't need to lift your fingers.
It may not be your typical beach experience, but it feels like a true reflection of the city. Volleyball, outdoor gyms and beach bar games all exist along one sand, all happening at the same time. Even the few hours spent on Ipanema feel in itself like a visit to another world.
Visiting Rio during the carnival was never a relaxing experience no matter how close I was to the beach, but seeing the unforgettable sunset with celebrations blown into the sand was unforgettable.
