Sophia & Michael
What To Do in Búzios
Rua das Pedras
Literally translated as “Stone Street” and named for its cobblestone paths, Rua das Pedras is the heart of Búzios nightlife, featuring a large variety of stores, restaurants, clubs, bars and art galleries, many of them with tables on the sidewalk, so you can admire the charm of the street while sipping a drink. During the day, you can enjoy a more relaxed visit, as the bustle at Rua das Pedras starts when the night falls and the lighting of the establishments sets the tone and completely changes the scenario.
Porto da Barra
In Manguinhos beach, the most visited spot is Porto da Barra, a waterfront district made up of over a dozen of the best bars and restaurants in town. The port is beautifully designed with exotic décor, and the selection of great food and a buzzing atmosphere create a wonderful setting to eat and drink. Have some drinks at Anexo or Belli Belli bars, or eat the best "pastel" (a beloved Brazilian snack, similar to empanadas) with a glass of cold beer at Bar do Gordo. Go there at the end of the day for a chance to watch the stunning sunset!
Privilége Club
Under the same ownership as Privilege Ibiza, Privilege Búzios is one of the most animated and sought-out party spots in the region. Its spacious ambiance is spread over two floors, and four bars cater for the club’s there-to-be-seen crowd. Its location on the Orla Bardot waterfront coupled with the thump of deep house music set the scene for a great night out. But be prepared for a late night! During the weekends, the club-goers start to show up around midnight and dance til’ sunrise.
Beachwear Shopping
This one is for the ladies who love beachwear! Brazil is well known for its bathing suits, and Búzios hosts some of the best beachwear brands. Make sure to check out Salinas, Lenny Niemeyer, Água de Coco and for the Kardashian’s favorite brand, Vix, go to Pimenta Búzios (just don’t tell anyone, the brand tries really hard to not be associated with the K sisters!). All the stores are in Rua das Pedras, and are usually open from 11am to 11pm.
Sant’Ana Church
The Church of Sant'Ana is popular due to its noteworthy location, close to Praia dos Ossos. From the church area, you can enjoy beautiful views of the scenery and the church is an important historical symbol in Buzios. It’s a great place to visit on a Saturday afternoon, after a cool swim at the beach and a good place to watch the beautiful sunset.
Praia Brava
Our favorite spot to spend the day sipping on smooth caipirinhas and eating fresh seafood snacks, Praia Brava has two options: Rocka Beach Lounge (bar/restaurant) and Silk Beach Club (beach club). We usually go to Rocka, but both have day beds scattered out on the hillside grass that encourage visitors to retreat for a lie down after a wholesome meal and spend the afternoon chatting and watching the world drift by. Definitely one of our favorite things to do in Búzios!
Azeda & Azedinha Beach
These two side by side beaches are considered among the most beautiful in Brazil thanks to its turquoise waters and white sands. It’s best to get there early to pick out a good spot and grab a beach umbrella—being only 650 feet (200m) long means that it can get quite crowded quickly, especially on the weekends.
Manguinhos Beach
Feeling adventurous? Manguinhos is the place to go for water sports. Wind season ends in August, but if you’re into wind or kite surfing, you might still find a crowd of practitioners at Clube de Velas, near Porto da Barra (you might also find Sophia’s dad and brothers hanging around there as well!). Just keep an eye on the tide, when it';s high, the water covers all the sand.
Tartaruga Beach
Known for its calm sea, Praia da Tartaruga is an ideal place for snorkeling, and one of the best places in Buzios to catch a glimpse of a sea turtle. The seafront kiosks provide snacks, chilled beers, and strong caipirinhas for a leisurely day at the beach. Join us for a light and secret hike leaving from Manguinhos to Tartaruga beach when the tide is low, and if the group is feeling a little more adventurous, we can keep going until Rua das Pedras!
Geribá Beach
The most popular beach in Búzios, it’s also the spot for surfing! The most popular bar there is Fishbone, where you can enjoy snacks, açaí bowls and drinks during the day, and for those who enjoy electronic music, be sure to stay for their sunset parties!
Arraial do Cabo Beach
Know as the “Brazilian Caribbean”, Arraial do Cabo is a must see and it’s only 1 hour away from Búzios! You can drive or take the bus there, but our favorite way to go is by boat. We’ll be glad to help arranging this trip for you, maybe we can all go together and spend the day swimming in those calm, turquoise waters!
Anexo Bar & Restaurant
Anexo is one of the most popular restaurants in Búzios. With two ocean front options, they cater for everyone: go to their Porto da Barra location for a lounge sunset vibe, surrounded by nature, candle lights and rustic decor, or to their Rua das Pedras location for dinner turned to dancing in a more modern surrounding.
74 Restaurant
Part of Casas Brancas Hotel, 74 Restaurant feels like French Riviera meets tropical Brazil. The restaurant is located in the hotel’s terrace and the cuisine is a fusion of local and mediterranean food. The big attraction there is the seafood and most of the ingredients come from their own organic vegetable garden.
Mistico Restaurant
The restaurant is part of the guesthouse, Pousada Abracadabra, yet is open to the public too. It’s hard to know what’s better here – the delicious Mediterranean inspired food that includes freshly caught seafood and unusual tastes such as sea urchins, or the magnificent sunset views overlooking the venue’s infinity pool.
Primitivo Restaurant
Primitivo has a privileged location on Rua das Pedras, the hub of bars and restaurants in Buzios. The Italian-inspired menu serves several types of pasta, gnocchi and salad dishes, yet the true highlight is the homemade, thin-crust pizzas with fresh toppings – perfect for when you want to take a break from the town’s abundance of seafood.
Bar do Zé Restaurant
What started as a casual sandwich spot, grew into one of the most sophisticated restaurants is Búzios. Bar do Ze is an upscale restaurant with an outdoor terrace overlooking the scenic Orla Bardot (continuation of Rua das Pedras). The food is the star of the show with a variety of options from fresh seafood, creamy risottos and on-the-grill steak, all with a touch of the Mediterranean. Wash down with any of the flawless cocktails on offer. Definitely a must!
Chez Michou Bar & Restaurant
The crêperie on Rua das Pedras has been one of Búzios top hangouts for nearly 30 years. The crepes are delicious, and although they do have an English menu, we’ll be happy to give you recommendations on which one to order, just make sure to leave some room for the sweet crepes! The atmosphere there is very warm and it does not have waiters, you make your order and take it to your table. Everyone knows this place, and you’ll see it the first night you walk through downtown.
Donna Jô Restaurant
Located in Porto da Barra, Donna Jô is a contemporary cuisine restaurant by the water. The wooden deck and mangrove that surrounds it, combined with the illumination, sets the cozy atmosphere to an otherwise modern menu.