Selarón Steps : info and guided tour

Overview of Selarón Steps

Selarón Steps is a monumental, colorful staircase located between the Lapa and Santa Teresa neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro. It connects Joaquim Silva Street to Pinto Martins Street and stands out for its steps and walls entirely covered with thousands of ceramic tiles, now one of the city’s best-known images.

The work is associated with Chilean artist Jorge Selarón, who began transforming the staircase in the 1990s. What started as a personal project was gradually enriched over time with tiles from different countries, creating a vibrant, evolving piece that is instantly recognizable in Rio’s urban landscape.

The site is known for its highly dense visual composition, made up of bright colors, varied patterns and decorative elements assembled לאורך the entire staircase. Visitors will notice tiles in dominant shades of red, blue, yellow and green, as well as inscriptions and images that reflect the patient work of its creator.

Now a major tourist attraction, Selarón Steps is appreciated both for its artistic character and for its place in the Santa Teresa neighborhood. It now symbolizes a creative, lively Rio, where urban art is part of everyday scenery and draws visitors looking for iconic and photogenic places.

Discover Rio de Janeiro with a private guide

A private guide can help you better understand the history of Selarón Steps, Jorge Selarón’s approach and the many hidden details in its mosaics. They can also place the work in the context of Santa Teresa and Lapa, so you can fully appreciate this unique site in Rio de Janeiro.