8:30–11:30 AM
Breakfast with a view
Start the day at Embaixada Carioca, with Sugarloaf Mountain in the morning light.
Breakfast →
First cable-car stop · 220 meters
Urca Hill: views, things to do and where to eat
Urca Hill is the first Sugarloaf cable-car stop, 220 meters above sea level. Plan your access, explore the viewpoints and stop for breakfast or lunch with a view of Sugarloaf Mountain.
Altitude220 meters
Access1st cable-car leg or the trail, when open
RestaurantEmbaixada Carioca, 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Next stopSugarloaf Mountain, 396 meters
Quick answer
What is Urca Hill?
Urca Hill (Morro da Urca) is the first stop of the Sugarloaf cable car, 220 meters above sea level, in the Urca neighborhood. From there, Sugarloaf Mountain stands right in front of you, with Guanabara Bay, the South Zone and downtown Rio around it.
Urca Hill has viewpoints, the end of the trail and Embaixada Carioca, a Brazilian restaurant open every day from 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Many visitors go up to Sugarloaf Mountain and come back to Urca Hill to eat.
Things to do
What to do on Urca Hill
11:30 AM–5:00 PM
Lunch and feijoada
Brazilian cooking and the Academia da Cachaça feijoada, served through a formal partnership.
Lunch →Late afternoon
Sunset
Caipirinhas, draft beer and snacks while the light changes over Guanabara Bay, until 9:00 PM.
Sunset →Viewpoints
The Urca Hill viewpoints look out on Sugarloaf Mountain, Guanabara Bay, Botafogo and Christ the Redeemer in the distance.
Continue to Sugarloaf
The second cable-car leg goes up to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, 396 meters, with the park ticket.
Urca Hill trail
A free climb, when open, from Pista Cláudio Coutinho, in about 30 to 40 minutes.
How to get there →Comparison
Urca Hill or Sugarloaf Mountain?
Both stops are part of the same visit. Here is what changes between them.
| Feature | Urca Hill | Sugarloaf Mountain |
|---|---|---|
| Altitude | 220 meters | 396 meters |
| Access | 1st cable-car leg or the trail, when open | 2nd cable-car leg |
| View | Sugarloaf Mountain ahead, Guanabara Bay and Botafogo | Panorama from above, with Urca Hill below |
| Meal with a view | Embaixada Carioca, 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM | Check the options on the park website |
| Suggested time | 2 to 4 hours, with a meal | 30 to 60 minutes |
Hours
Hours on Urca Hill
- Embaixada Carioca: every day, 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Breakfast: 8:30 to 11:30 AM
- Lunch and feijoada: 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Snacks and sandwiches: 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Bondinho Park hours and the last cable car vary by season, holidays and events: check the official Bondinho website.
FAQ
Questions about Urca Hill
How high is Urca Hill?
220 meters. It is the first cable-car stop, before Sugarloaf Mountain, which is 396 meters high.
Is there a restaurant on Urca Hill?
Yes. Embaixada Carioca is open every day from 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM, with breakfast until 11:30 AM, lunch from 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM and drinks in the late afternoon. It is the only restaurant in Bondinho Park with a direct view of Sugarloaf Mountain.
How do I get to Urca Hill?
Through Bondinho Park, at Av. Pasteur, 520, Urca: the first cable-car leg leaves from Praia Vermelha. The alternative is the Urca Hill trail, from Pista Cláudio Coutinho, when it is open. See how to get there.
What is the difference between Urca Hill and Sugarloaf Mountain?
Urca Hill (220 m) is the first stop, with the restaurant, viewpoints and trail access. Sugarloaf Mountain (396 m) is the higher peak, reached by the second cable-car leg. From Urca Hill, Sugarloaf Mountain stands right in front of you.
Do I need a ticket for Urca Hill?
By cable car, yes. If you take the trail when it is open and stay on Urca Hill, you do not need a cable-car ticket. You need one to continue to Sugarloaf Mountain or to ride down.
Is Urca Hill open at night?
Embaixada Carioca is open until 9:00 PM every day. Park hours and the last cable car vary: check the official Bondinho website.
Updated on · Embaixada Carioca