"Niteroi across the Bay from Rio. " a Niterói Travel Page by dabidc

It is probably true that most visitors to Rio stay in that city and never venture to the other side of the Guanabara Bay, yet across that 13 km bridge Niteroi presents another world. It is truly a place for those travellers who prefer to be Off the Beaten Path. There are fantastic beaches that satisy your cravings from Atlantic surf to quiet waters where all can safely venture into the water.

There are Forts at sea level and ones that stand tall above the many beaches. There are tiny fishing villages and churches from many years ago. It is a place of history and geography since there are so many vantage points from which to see the other side of Rio.

There are fine restaurants, great hotels and shopping centres and for those who wish to go further the roads lead east to Buzios and Saquarema and yet more wonderful beaches.

The Museum of Contemporary Art was designed by Oscar Niemayer, a famous Brasilian Architect, to be in harmony with the views across Guanabara Bay. In particular the slope of the museum is close to the angle the Sugar Loaf displays on the side facing the Ocean. The photo shows this well .

The headland where the Museum is located commands a view not only of the beach at Icarai but also towards the next bay which includes Sao Francisco and Charitas. Going further one comes to Jurujuba a combination fishing harbour and beach area. Then for me a hidden gem, the Forteleza de Santa Cruz lying low on the headland that looks out over the entrance to Gaunabara Bay and to the Sugar Loaf across that entrance.
The tour of the Forteleza showed it was very much a defensive fort and to aid in communications another fort, that of San Luis was located above Santa Cruz. Both forts can be visited at certain times and both visits can be recommended.