Escadaria Selarón is a 250-step staircase covered in more than 2,000 hand-placed tiles gathered from over 60 countries, connecting Rio de Janeiro’s bohemian Lapa and Santa Teresa neighborhoods. Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón began transforming the once-crumbling public stairway in 1990, dedicating decades to the project as what he called a tribute to the Brazilian people, and continued adding tiles until his death in 2013.
Visitors can spot tiles representing dozens of countries alongside drawings, signatures, and playful details Selarón worked into the design over the years — many travelers make a point of finding a tile from their own home country. The staircase is free to visit and open at all hours, though daylight is recommended both for safety and for the best photos of the colorful tilework.
Early morning or late afternoon offers the fewest crowds and the best light for photography; arriving by 6 a.m. gives the best chance at empty steps. The steps sit between two of Rio’s most culturally rich neighborhoods, making them an easy add-on to a walk through Lapa’s arches and Santa Teresa’s hillside streets.
