Downtown Rio is a unique place in the city with its magnificent colonial architecture, French-style monuments, theaters, museums, Baroque churches and modern, tall office buildings.
The new renovation program has maintained the original beauty of the older buildings.
Downtown is the area for bohemians and artists. During the summer, bars and restaurants are always packed with people from all walks of life. Lapa is a downtown district featuring a noisy crowd, particularly on Fridays. Famous artists and the general public mix together, turning the district into a multicultural hub. In the evening, Circo Voador and the Fudição Progresso lure hundreds of people to their concerts.