Escadaria Selarón
Building Colorful mosaic stairway linking Lapa and Santa Teresa
Jorge Selarón’s tiled steps link Rio’s Lapa and Santa Teresa neighborhoods with thousands of hand‑placed tiles; tourists photograph the mosaic stairway, street art and nearby nightlife and cafés.
The Escadaria Selarón is a decorated outdoor stairway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, created by Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón beginning in 1990. It is an iconic, colourful mosaic landmark that links the Lapa and Santa Teresa neighbourhoods.
The stairway comprises a long run of tiled steps covered with thousands of ceramic tiles in bright red, yellow and blue patterns, with sections incorporating tiles from dozens of countries. The installation extends across the stair run and adjoining walls and landings, creating an easily walkable sequence of mosaicked risers and small murals.
Jorge Selarón began renovating the neglected steps in 1990 as a personal art project and continued to add tiles and mosaics over decades, turning the staircase into a recognised urban artwork. The site became internationally known during the late 1990s and 2000s and has been maintained as a public artwork since Selarón’s death in 2013.
The stairway sits on a steep street slope between the neighbourhoods of Lapa and Santa Teresa in central Rio de Janeiro, in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
- Best time: Best visited early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and for softer light on the tiles.
- Access: The steps run between the Lapa and Santa Teresa neighbourhoods and are a public urban artwork free to access.
How to Get to Escadaria Selarón #
The staircase links the neighbourhoods of Lapa and Santa Teresa. From downtown Rio, take a taxi or the VLT tram to Lapa and walk up Rua Joaquim Silva or access from the Santa Teresa side by hill tram or walking routes.
Tips for Visiting Escadaria Selarón #
- Ascend the steps from Lapa for the best dramatic reveal of Rio below; take the quieter Rua Joaquim Silva route to avoid street vendors.
- Look for small plaques and tiles residents have added - the staircase is still evolving as visitors and locals repair and add tiles.
- Go late at night if the goal is a solitary photo; the steps can be crowded in daytime but have a different energy after midnight.
Best Time to Visit Escadaria Selarón #
Early morning or late evening to avoid crowds and capture the steps in changing light.
Weather & Climate near Escadaria Selarón #
Escadaria Selarón's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in February) and warm winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 16°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1152 mm/year), wettest in March.
January
January is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Significant rainfall (144 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is the warmest month with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Significant rainfall (147 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (157 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (131 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm).
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July
July is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 19°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (133 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
