Petrópolis: Imperial Museum & Santos Dumont House with Lunch

The Imperial City's Best Architecture in One Morning, Plus Lunch

You visit the Imperial Museum, Cathedral, and Santos Dumont's house with a guide who knows the history; you get lunch included in an air-conditioned vehicle; you skip the logistics of renting a car or figuring out the mountain roads yourself; and you have free time on Rua Teresa to shop or rest before the drive back.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Imperial Museum1h · entry included
2. Petrópolis25m
3. Santos Dumont House Museumpass by
4. Crystal Palace15m

Historic sites and shopping in Petrópolis

• Photo stop at Quitandinha Palace
• Visit Imperial Museum rooms
• Tour Cathedral of Petrópolis
• Photo stop at Santos Dumont House
• Visit Crystal Palace and surroundings
• Free time shopping on Teresa Street

The experience

Our guide Paulo stopped the van at the Quitandinha Palace gates and pointed out the Hollywood Rococo columns ("Walt Disney stayed here, you know") before we stepped out for photos. That's the rhythm of this Petrópolis day trip: ten minutes to take in the palace's faded grandeur, then back in the air-conditioned vehicle heading toward the Cathedral. The city sits in the mountains about an hour from Rio, cool enough that you notice the temperature drop, and it was the Portuguese imperial family's summer refuge, which is why almost every building here has a story attached to it.

The Imperial Museum comes first on the real tour. The entrance fee is included, and the rooms are small enough that you move through them at your own pace. Dining room, music room, Dom Pedro II's office, the princesses' bedroom. The stained glass in the Cathedral of Petrópolis is what stays with you though. It's neo-Gothic, designed in the late 1800s, and the light comes through it in a way that makes the whole interior feel deliberate, not accidental. After that, we stopped at Santos Dumont's house, "The Encantada," for about 25 minutes. The exterior staircase is famous (he designed it so you'd climb it starting with your right leg), and the water heating system was basically a century ahead of its time. The museum entrance is optional if you want to skip it, but the house itself, the details, the way he thought about space, it's worth the stop.

Rua Teresa is where the tour gives you free time. It's the shopping street, lined with stores, and you can wander or sit at a café. By then you're ready for lunch anyway. The buffet is included, drinks and desserts aren't, and you eat before heading back to Rio. The whole day runs long enough that you see the main points without feeling rushed, but short enough that you're not exhausted by the time you return to the city.

What’s included

• Entrance fee to the Imperial Museum.
• air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
• lunch with free buffet (drinks and desserts not included).
• stops at Quitandinha Palace, Cathedral of Petrópolis, Santos Dumont House, and Crystal Palace.
• free time on Rua Teresa for shopping.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Thursday and SaturdayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (under 5): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by City Rio Turismo

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want Petrópolis' main historical sites without arranging your own transport up the mountain: the fixed itinerary and included lunch mean you show up and the day is already planned.

Traveler reviews

4.60★★★★★★★★★★

58 verified traveler reviews

5 ★44

4 ★8

3 ★4

2 ★1

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (under 5): free.

How long is the drive from Rio to Petrópolis?

About an hour each way.

Is the Santos Dumont House Museum entrance included?

No, the entrance is optional and not included. You stop there for about 25 minutes to see the exterior and grounds.

What's included in the lunch?

A free buffet. Drinks and desserts are not included.

Can I skip the Imperial Museum if I don't want to go?

The entrance fee is included in the tour price, but you can choose not to enter if you prefer.

Is there time to shop on Rua Teresa?

Yes, the tour includes free time on Rua Teresa for shopping.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

It's suitable for all physical fitness levels. Most of the day is spent in the vehicle or walking short distances between stops.

Can infants come on this tour?

Yes, infants are welcome but must sit on an adult's lap.

What is the Quitandinha Palace?

A former luxury hotel-casino built in the 1940s with Hollywood Rococo architecture. You stop for photos of the exterior only.