Armação dos Búzios, usually just called Búzios, is a seaside resort town and municipality in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. These days it’s a very popular escape from the city and a major tourist destination, especially for Brazilians and Argentinians.
In the early 1900s Búzios was a favourite with Rio’s high society, who came here to get away from the chaos of the city and enjoy the more than 23 beaches on the peninsula. But it was only after 1964, when French actress Brigitte Bardot visited, that Búzios really took off as an international holiday spot.
Today the peninsula is known for its laid‑back feel, close contact with nature and beautiful scenery. The west‑facing beaches tend to have calm, clear water, while the east‑facing ones are more exposed to the open sea and attract surfers and water‑sports enthusiasts. Azeda, Ferradura, João Fernandes, Armação and Geribá are among the most popular beaches, both for relaxing and for surfing. After dark, Rua das Pedras, the town’s main street, comes alive with nightlife, shops and a wide choice of restaurants.
Main tourist attractions
• Beaches – The west‑facing beaches generally have calmer water, while those facing the open sea to the east are a draw for surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers. Going clockwise around the peninsula, the main beaches are:
o Praia Rasa – First beach on the left as you arrive from Rio de Janeiro. Good for windsurfing and kitesurfing, with a few guesthouses, but a bit off the main tourist trail.
o Praia de Manguinhos – A continuation of Praia Rasa, closer to the town centre and with more accommodation.
o Praia da Tartaruga.
o Praia do Canto – Effectively the harbour for the town centre rather than a classic swimming beach, but with lots of accommodation.
o Praia da Armação and Praia dos Ossos.
o Praia João Fernandes – An upmarket residential area; the beach itself is quite small and there’s very little space at high tide.
o Praia Brava – An exposed Atlantic surf beach with few facilities.
o Praia Olho de Boi – A naturist beach reached by a 500 m trail from Praia Brava; visitors need to bring their own food and drinks.
o Praia do Forno – An attractive, cove‑like beach with one small bar.
o Praia de Ferradura – A large, sheltered bay ideal for swimming rather than surfing, with a few bars where the local vans stop and one high‑end guesthouse.
o Praia Ferradurinha – A small, picturesque beach that can get very crowded. Access by car is limited and parking is expensive; many people park at or take a van to Praia de Geribá and walk. Strong swimmers can make it from Ferradurinha to Praia dos Amores (Lovers’ Beach), where locals joke that “two go in and three come out”.
o Praia de Geribá – A lively, popular beach with lots of bars, restaurants and guesthouses either on the sand, just behind it or up on the overlooking hill. It’s a prime surfing spot, and you’ll find several people offering lessons (look for the surfboards standing upright in the sand).
o Praia Tucuns – A long, almost deserted beach with no real facilities apart from a large, rather plain resort at the far end.
• Rua das Pedras (Street of Stones) – A cobbled street on the north shore that gives its name to the whole downtown area. It’s the hub for restaurants, shopping and nightlife.
• Statue of Brigitte Bardot – The actress who helped put Búzios on the map in the 1960s is commemorated with a statue on the seafront a short walk east of the main pier in the town centre.
• Viewpoints – There are several viewpoints (mirantes) around Búzios. A tower on a hill near Praia Brava offers sweeping views over much of the peninsula. The access road is rough but still manageable in a standard car with a bit of care.