When people think about beaches in Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana and Ipanema usually come first.

They are the beaches most visitors know before they even arrive: the black-and-white sidewalks, beach volleyball games, packed kiosks, dramatic mountains and the constant movement that makes the city's waterfront feel so alive.

And they absolutely deserve a place on your itinerary.

But Rio has a much bigger coastline than the postcards suggest.

Head west and the scenery begins to change. The buildings become less dominant, the hills get greener and the beaches start to feel more connected to the Atlantic Forest. Some are long and open. Others are small stretches of sand tucked between rocks and mountains. Some are known for surfing, while others are better for a quiet afternoon away from the busiest parts of the city.

This is the side of Rio that many visitors do not see on their first trip.

So, once you have walked the promenade in Copacabana and watched the sunset from Arpoador, consider going a little farther.

These are seven beaches worth discovering beyond Rio's two most famous names.

1. Prainha: Rio's Wild Side in One Small Beach

Prainha is one of the clearest examples of how quickly Rio can move from urban to natural.

Located at the western end of Recreio dos Bandeirantes, Prainha is a 700-meter stretch of sand surrounded by hills covered in Atlantic Forest. The beach is part of the Municipal Natural Park of Prainha, which helps protect the landscape that makes the area feel so different from the heavily developed beaches closer to the city center.

The waves are a big part of Prainha's identity. Riotur describes it as a favorite among surfers, and the beach is known for a mix of medium and larger waves. You will often see surfers in the water while other visitors simply come for the scenery.

Even if you have no interest in surfing, it is difficult not to appreciate the setting. Green mountains rise immediately behind the sand, and there are no rows of apartment buildings competing with the view.

Prainha is also one of those beaches where going early really does make a difference. Riotur specifically recommends arriving early because the surrounding mountains cause the beach to lose direct sunlight in the afternoon. There are also kiosks serving simple beach food and drinks, including natural sandwiches, juice and açaí.

For a little more adventure, the nearby park provides access to the trail to Mirante do Caeté, where you can look back over the coastline.

One practical detail is worth knowing before you go: parking can become crowded on weekends, holidays and during the summer. The city's planning documents note that the parking areas around Prainha can become overloaded during periods of high visitor numbers.

Best for: surfing, photography, nature and travelers who want Rio to feel a little less like a big city.

2. Grumari: The Beach for Getting Away from It All

If Prainha feels like an escape, Grumari takes the idea even further.

Located farther west, Grumari is part of an environmentally protected area where development is restricted. The result is one of the most natural-looking stretches of coastline in Rio, with forested hills surrounding the beach and very little urban development along the sand.

The sea here can be strong, which is one reason Grumari attracts surfers. At the same time, Riotur notes that the larger waves often break farther from shore, while smaller waves reach the beach itself. Conditions still change from day to day, so checking the sea before swimming is always important.

The beach also has a more secluded atmosphere than most of Rio's famous urban beaches. There are kiosks along the shore, but the surrounding landscape remains the main attraction.

Getting there is part of the experience. Access is predominantly by car, and the protected status of the area means access can be restricted.

Grumari is particularly good for travelers who would rather spend a few hours surrounded by nature than surrounded by buildings. It is also close enough to Prainha to make both beaches part of the same western Rio day trip.

Just do not treat the drive as an afterthought. On busy days, arriving earlier is the smarter choice.

Best for: nature, surfing, photography and travelers looking for a quieter beach surrounded by greenery.

3. Praia da Joatinga: A Small Beach with a Very Rio Setting

Joatinga is different from the other beaches on this list partly because of its size.

At around 300 meters long, it is tiny compared with Copacabana, Ipanema or the long beaches farther west. But that is exactly why it has such a different atmosphere.

The beach is in Joá, between São Conrado and Barra da Tijuca, and is surrounded by rocks, vegetation and steep coastal terrain.

Getting there is also slightly more involved than simply walking off a main avenue onto the sand. Riotur's guide describes access through a residential condominium on Estrada do Joá, followed by a short rocky path down to the beach.

The important word here is tide.

Because Joatinga is small and surrounded by rocks, the amount of usable sand can change significantly depending on sea conditions. Riotur specifically recommends checking the tide before planning a swim.

When conditions are right, though, the setting is beautiful. The beach feels tucked into the coastline rather than spread out across it, and the surrounding rocks make it particularly photogenic.

Joatinga is less about spending an entire day on a huge stretch of sand and more about experiencing one of Rio's smaller, more unusual corners.

Best for: photography, couples, surfers and travelers who enjoy finding less conventional places.

4. Praia Vermelha: Big Views in a Small Beach

Praia Vermelha may be the easiest beach on this list to add to a first visit to Rio.

It sits in Urca, directly beside one of the city's most recognizable landmarks: Sugarloaf Mountain. Riotur describes the beach as a small, calm stretch of sand framed by Sugarloaf, with greenish water and a setting that is particularly popular for photography and water sports such as stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing.

The attraction here is not the size of the beach. It is the setting.

You can walk along the shore with Sugarloaf rising directly above you, then continue into Urca or visit the Sugarloaf cable car, whose first stage begins from Praia Vermelha.

There is also the Pista Cláudio Coutinho, which starts beside Praia Vermelha and follows the coastline toward Morro da Urca. Riotur describes the route as approximately 1.5 kilometers and a relatively easy walk, with views across Guanabara Bay and the surrounding coastline.

In other words, Praia Vermelha works particularly well when you want your beach day to include more than swimming.

It is more accessible and more visited than Prainha or Grumari, but the landscape is so distinctive that it still feels special.

Best for: first-time visitors, photography, sightseeing and combining the beach with Sugarloaf Mountain.

5. Praia da Reserva: Long, Open and Much Quieter

Between Barra da Tijuca and Recreio, Praia da Reserva offers a very different experience from Rio's more urban beaches.

Riotur describes Reserva as an 8-kilometer beach in an environmentally protected area, with white sand, clear water and preserved restinga vegetation. It is also described as a relatively quiet beach, making it a good option for visitors who want more space and less city around them.

The difference becomes especially noticeable when you compare it with the more developed parts of Barra.

Instead of having a continuous wall of buildings immediately behind the beach, Reserva has stretches of vegetation between the coast and the surrounding urban areas. It feels more open, and the beach itself becomes the focus.

This is a good place to come without an ambitious sightseeing plan.

Walk for a while. Find a quieter section of sand. Go into the water when conditions are good. Stop at a kiosk. Read a book. Stay until you are ready to leave.

Reserva is also a good choice for surfers, as the area is known for its waves.

And because it sits between Barra and Recreio, it is an easy stop for anyone exploring western Rio without wanting to drive all the way to Grumari.

Best for: long walks, relaxing, surfing and a slower beach day.

6. Praia da Macumba: One of Rio's Surf Beaches

Praia da Macumba is closely connected to Rio's surf culture.

Located in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, the beach is known for its waves and has long been associated with surfing. Riotur's own tourism material describes Macumba as a beach known for waves that provide conditions for surfing throughout the year.

But you do not need a surfboard to enjoy it.

The beach has a relaxed atmosphere, with plenty of people walking, exercising, meeting friends and spending time outdoors. Its position in the western part of the city also means that you are surrounded by more open landscapes than you will find in Copacabana or Ipanema.

Macumba is particularly convenient if you want to turn a beach visit into a full western-coast day. Prainha is nearby, and continuing west eventually brings you toward Grumari.

There is also something very simple about Macumba that makes it appealing. You do not necessarily come here for one specific landmark. You come because the beach itself is a pleasant place to spend the day.

Watch the surfers. Walk along the water. Grab something cold to drink. Stay for a little longer than you planned.

That is often what a good Rio beach day looks like.

Best for: surfing, outdoor activities, walking and a relaxed local atmosphere.

7. Abricó: Rio's Naturist Beach

Abricó is one of the most distinctive beaches on Rio's western coastline.

Located in the Grumari area, between Prainha and Grumari, Abricó sits within an environmentally protected setting surrounded by rocks and vegetation. Riotur identifies it as the only beach in Rio de Janeiro officially dedicated to the practice of naturism.

That makes Abricó very different from the other beaches on this list.

Naturism here is not simply a section of an otherwise ordinary urban beach. It is an established use of the beach, and the area is associated with the Brazilian naturist movement. Riotur notes that the beach is officially linked to the Brazilian Naturist Federation.

For travelers curious about naturism, the important thing is to understand that the experience is based on respect for the environment and for other visitors. Abricó is not a party beach or a place to treat naturism as a spectacle. Visitors should follow the local rules and respect the privacy of others.

The municipal management plan also identifies Abricó as the city's officially naturist beach and notes that the naturist area is separated from the non-naturist area by Pedra do Elefante. It also describes the beach as having very limited infrastructure, so visitors should plan accordingly and bring what they need for the day.

Access is by the road that leads toward Prainha and Grumari, with the beach located along the western coastline.

Abricó may not be the right beach for every traveler, but for those interested in experiencing a different side of Rio, it is one of the city's most unusual and memorable coastal destinations.

Best for: naturism, nature, travelers looking for something different and those interested in experiencing one of Rio's most distinctive beaches.

Which Beach Should You Visit?

The answer depends on what kind of beach day you want.

For nature and scenery

Prainha and Grumari are the strongest choices. Both offer a much more natural setting than Rio's central beaches, with forested hills and less urban development.

For surfing

Prainha and Macumba are particularly well known for their waves. Grumari is another strong option for experienced surfers, although conditions should always be checked before entering the water.

For sightseeing

Choose Praia Vermelha. It is easy to combine with Sugarloaf Mountain, Urca and the Pista Cláudio Coutinho.

For a long, relaxed afternoon

Go to Praia da Reserva. Its 8-kilometer stretch gives you plenty of room to walk and find your own spot.

For something small and different

Joatinga is the most unusual choice, especially when the tide is favorable.

For naturism

Abricó is the obvious choice. It is Rio's officially recognized naturist beach and offers an experience you will not find at the city's other major beaches.

For a full western beach day

Start early and explore Macumba, Prainha, Abricó and Grumari. The beaches are close enough to create a natural route, but give yourself plenty of time and check access conditions before setting out.

A Better Way to See Rio's Beaches

One of the best things about Rio de Janeiro is that its beaches do not all feel like the same beach.

Copacabana is busy, social and unmistakably urban. Ipanema has its own rhythm, neighborhoods and famous views. But farther west, the city begins to give more space to the landscape itself.

Prainha is surrounded by forest.

Grumari feels almost removed from the city.

Joatinga is a tiny cove hidden among rocks.

Praia Vermelha puts you beneath Sugarloaf.

Reserva stretches for kilometers with protected vegetation behind the sand.

Macumba brings you into one of the western beaches most closely associated with surfing.

And Abricó offers something completely different: an established naturist beach surrounded by the natural landscape of western Rio.

That variety is what makes Rio's coastline worth exploring.

You do not have to choose between the famous beaches and the quieter ones. See Copacabana and Ipanema first. Then rent a car, take a ride west, or set aside a day to explore a part of Rio you would probably never see from a postcard.

Just plan around the practical details. Check the weather and sea conditions before swimming. Go early to the more popular western beaches on busy days. Do not assume that a small beach such as Joatinga will have the same amount of sand all day. And remember that protected areas can have access restrictions.

The reward is more than another beautiful beach.

It is seeing a version of Rio where the mountains, forest and ocean are not just a backdrop to the city. They are the main attraction.

And that may be the Rio you end up remembering most.