Escadaria Selarón
- Not step-free
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Why go
- The more than 2,000 ceramic tiles from 120 countries that cover the staircase and the walls beside it.
- The 215 steps, 125 metres long, with 17 landings and 16 entrances.
Opening hours
Today09:00 – 17:00Show all
Don't miss
- Bathtub planters at the footSeveral former bathtubs turned into flower planters, which Selarón humorously called 'hanging gardens'.At the foot of the staircase On the map
- Hand-painted tiles of a pregnant African womanAbout 300 of the tiles were hand-painted by Selarón with the image of a pregnant African woman.On the tiled risers of the steps On the map
- Tiled steps at the foot of the Arcos da LapaThe tiling spread from the staircase to the steps at the foot of the Arcos da Lapa.At the foot of the Arcos da Lapa On the map
Know before you go
- Open daily, 09:00 to 17:00.
Tips for your visit
- Only the risers are tiled, not the surfaces you walk on.
- Selarón never considered the work complete and kept changing it, so the steps may look different from older photos.
- The staircase has 16 entrances.
- Ask for the Lapa Steps or Escadaria Selarón when you need directions.
Interesting facts9
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1996
The steps appear in Michael Jackson's video for 'They Don't Care About Us' (1996), which Spike Lee shot.
Escadaria Selarón - Wikipedia -
2001
The steps feature in U2's music video for 'Walk On', from 2001.
Escadaria Selarón - Wikipedia -
2016
Rio's 2016 Olympic bid film 'The Passion Unites Us' (2009) featured the steps.
Escadaria Selarón - Wikipedia -
In The Amazing Race, teams had to find a tile on the steps that resembled a route information sign.
Escadaria Selarón - Wikipedia -
At the start of a film with Edward Norton, the Hulk appears on the staircase.
Escalier Selarón - Wikipedia -
Advertisements for American Express, Coca-Cola, Fanta, Pepsi and Kellogg's have used the steps.
Escalier Selarón - Wikipedia -
National Geographic, Time and The Wall Street Journal have all written about the steps.
Escalier Selarón - Wikipedia -
The poet Jean-Luc Pouliquen mentioned the steps in his book.
Escalier Selarón - Wikipedia -
Its Portuguese name is Escadaria do Convento de Santa Teresa.
Escalier Selarón - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
Jorge Selarón, a Chilean-born artist, began the work as a tribute to the Brazilian people. He first covered the steps in blue, green and yellow tiles, the colours of the Brazilian flag. He paid for the work by selling paintings, as he was constantly short of money. At first he gathered tiles from construction sites and urban waste piles in Rio's streets. Later, visitors from around the world donated most of the tiles.
- 1947Jorge Selarón is born in Chile.
- 1983He settles in Rio de Janeiro and lives in the house beside the steps.
- 1990He begins renovating the dilapidated steps in front of his house.
- 2000The steps are finished, and he starts tiling the walls on either side.
- 2005Selarón is made an honorary citizen of the city.
Show all
- 2013Selarón is found dead on the Lapa steps on 10 January.
- TodayThe staircase is classified as a historic monument.
Accessibility
- Step-free entry The staircase has 215 steps and 17 landings, so there is no step-free way along it.
Sources: Escadaria Selarón - Wikipedia · Rio de Janeiro/Centro - Wikivoyage (see) · Escalier Selarón - Wikipedia · checked 18 Oct 2026
- Website
- prefeitura.rio/
Questions and answers
How long is the Escadaria Selarón staircase?
The Escadaria Selarón has 215 steps. It is about 125 metres long and 4 metres wide, with 17 landings.
Is the Escadaria Selarón a tourist attraction?
Yes. It is a tourist attraction in the city and has featured in many magazines, travel shows and commercials.
Where is the Escadaria Selarón in Rio de Janeiro?
It runs between Rua Joaquim Silva in Lapa and the Santa Teresa side of the hill. Its lowest point is at number 89 Joaquim Silva.
Is the Escadaria Selarón also called the Lapa Steps?
Yes. Locals call it the Lapa Steps. In Portuguese it is also called Escadaria da Lapa or Escadaria do Convento de Santa Teresa.
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