RIO DE JANEIRO - 18 HOLES - FREE

RIO DE JANEIRO
CITY MAP MINIGOLF

Rio de Janeiro - 18 stops - par 52

The ball finds its mark at the Cais do Valongo in Rio de Janeiro. This map is the real city, and the round is played on its actual streets, where the local attractions are the building blocks for the holes. A full 18-hole round covers 10.4 km, using 54 portals to bridge the gaps between distant districts. Skip knows every corner of these blocks and acts as the local guide, provided he is not distracted by a stray crumb.

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HOW IT WORKS

01

Pick a city

The course is drawn on the real street grid, so the map you play is the map you walk.

02

Putt to the pin

Drag to aim, release to swing. Buildings bounce and water costs you a stroke.

03

Sightsee between strokes

Every hole ends at an attraction. Sink the putt, read the story, walk to the next tee.

THE RIO DE JANEIRO ROUND - STOP BY STOP

HOLE 1 - PAR 3

Biblioteca Nacional

Founded in 1810, the Biblioteca Nacional is a national library located at Cinelândia square in Rio de Janeiro. This city served as the capital of Brazil from 1763 to 1960. Today, the institution is the depository of the bibliographic and documentary heritage of Brazil. You can also see that it is an INEPAC Good Class heritage site. I've noticed the building has a certain weight to it that makes you want to stop and look up, perhaps wondering about the volumes kept inside those walls.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 2 - PAR 3

Catedral de São Sebastião

The inception of the Catedral de São Sebastião was in 1979. Designed by architect Edgar de Oliveira da Fonseca, this cathedral of the Catholic Church is a prominent example of modern architecture. The structure reaches a height of 75 meters. It is the seat of the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro and is dedicated to Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of Rio de Janeiro. You can see how the modern style defines the building's presence in the city.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 3 - PAR 3

Real Gabinete Português de Leitura

The Real Gabinete Português de Leitura is a library located at Luís de Camões Street, number 30, in the center of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This lusophone cultural institution was in inception from 1880 to 1887 and is designed in the Neo-Manueline style. You can pick out the intricate architectural details that make it a piece of cultural heritage. I have noticed that the sheer volume of books stacked high in this building makes the interior feel like a different world entirely. It is a place where the architecture is just as important as the texts it holds.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 4 - PAR 3

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Candelária

This is not a simple parish chapel. The Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Candelária is a Roman Catholic church in Rio de Janeiro. Its inception was in 1811, and the building is recognized as part of the Heritage of Portuguese Influence. You can pick out how the structure combines a Portuguese colonial Baroque façade with Neoclassical and Neo-Renaissance interior elements. Because of its historical importance, the church is a heritage asset listed by IPHAN. It is a significant example of Neoclassical architecture in the city.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 5 - PAR 3

Paço Imperial

Let me show you the Paço Imperial, which sits right in the center of the city. It is a royal palace and art museum that José Fernandes Pinto Alpoim designed in the baroque architecture style. Inception of the building was in 1743, and it was previously known as the Palace of the Viceroys and the Royal Palace of Rio de Janeiro. By 1822, it became the city palace for Pedro I and Pedro II, the monarchs of the Empire of Brazil. It is a heritage asset listed by IPHAN and is Heritage of Portuguese Influence. I've noticed the facade makes for a great bank shot.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 6 - PAR 3

Museu Histórico Nacional

Let me show you the Museu Histórico Nacional. Its architectural complex began as the St. James of Mercy Fort in 1603, though King Sebastian I of Portugal ordered structures here as early as 1567. Over the centuries, the site expanded with the Casa do Trem weapon depot in 1762, the War Arsenal in 1764, and the Barracks in 1835. Today, it is a national museum, archives, and library. I've noticed the layers of history here are quite thick, from the old fortifications to the massive collection of items they keep inside.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 7 - PAR 3

Navio-Museu Bauru

Located at the Brazilian Navy Cultural Center, the Navio-Museu Bauru is a destroyer escort. The vessel is the retired Cannon-class destroyer escort USS McAnn (DE-179). Built for the United States Navy during World War II, the ship served in the Atlantic Ocean before being transferred to the Brazilian Navy in 1944. Once it joined the local fleet, the ship was renamed as Bauru. I find the scale of these decks quite impressive when you see them up close, and it is a great spot to imagine the ship's time at sea.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 8 - PAR 3

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição e Boa Morte

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição e Boa Morte is a church building. It is recognized as a Heritage of Portuguese Influence and is a heritage asset listed by IPHAN. These designations mark its importance to the architectural and cultural history of the city. Visitors can observe how the building reflects the specific influences and official protections granted to such sites. It remains a significant point of interest for those studying the city's heritage and the enduring legacy of Portuguese influence in the region.

Wikidata

HOLE 9 - PAR 3

Theatro Municipal

The Theatro Municipal is a theatre building that serves as an opera house in the Centro district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Its inception was in 1909, and it was built in the early twentieth century. You can pick out the eclectic architecture style of the structure, which has INEPAC Good Class heritage. I always find the exterior a great spot to pause and look around before you continue your walk. It is a prominent landmark in the heart of the city, combining various influences in its design to create a unique presence on the street.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 10 - PAR 2

Monumento a Marechal Deodoro da Fonseca

You will first notice the Monumento a Marechal Deodoro da Fonseca, which is a monument and a historic site. It is a recognized part of the city's heritage, registered by the RJ Monuments Inventory. Additionally, it is registered as an INEPAC Good Class. These official registrations ensure that the site is preserved for everyone to visit. I usually find the area around these markers to be a great spot for people watching, as the city moves all around this fixed point of history. It is a useful landmark to keep you oriented while you explore the surrounding neighborhood.

Wikidata

HOLE 11 - PAR 2

Monumento Nacional aos Mortos da Segunda Guerra Mundial

This is not a casual tourist stop, but the Monumento Nacional aos Mortos da Segunda Guerra Mundial. It is a war memorial and a historic site. Construction of the monument was started in 1960, and the project was designed by the architect Marcos Konder Netto. Its official importance to the city and the country is recognized through its status as a heritage asset listed by IPHAN and its registration by the RJ Monuments Inventory. Visitors come here to reflect on the history of the conflict and those who served.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 12 - PAR 3

Museu de Arte Moderna (MAM)

You won't find a classic colonial facade here. Instead, the Museu de Arte Moderna (MAM) is a museum of modern art built in the brutalist architecture style. I can show you where it sits in the Centro district, located in northeastern Flamengo Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is west of Santos Dumont Airport on Guanabara Bay. It is a striking spot to stop and look at the concrete lines of the building against the greenery of the park.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 13 - PAR 3

Igreja de Santa Luzia

Igreja de Santa Luzia is a church building that holds a significant place in the history of Rio de Janeiro. It is recognized as a Heritage of Portuguese Influence, which means the structure embodies the specific styles and traditions brought over from Portugal. Because of its historical importance, the site is also a heritage asset listed by IPHAN. This listing provides a layer of official protection and recognition for the building, allowing visitors to see a preserved example of the city's early colonial architecture and its enduring Portuguese roots.

Wikidata

HOLE 14 - PAR 3

Praça Mário Lago

Praça Mário Lago is a square located in Rio de Janeiro. It is a place of particular interest because it has been granted IRPH Good Class heritage status. When you are walking through the area, you can take a moment to appreciate the specific architectural and historical value that this designation represents for the neighborhood. I think it is one of those spots where you can really feel the local character of the city. It is a useful landmark for anyone trying to get their bearings while exploring the surrounding streets.

Wikidata

HOLE 15 - PAR 3

Catedral Presbiteriana do Rio de Janeiro

The Catedral Presbiteriana do Rio de Janeiro is a church building. Construction on this site started in 1926 and the architecture follows the Gothic Revival style. It is a historic Presbyterian congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil and is recognized with INEPAC Good Class heritage. This landmark is particularly significant because it was the first Presbyterian church in the country, marking a foundational point for the denomination within the region. You can observe the specific details of the Gothic Revival influence on the exterior of the building.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 16 - PAR 3

Fundição Progresso

Let me show you Fundição Progresso, a music venue in the Lapa neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. This cultural center is located in the building of a former stove factory known as Fábrica de Fogões Progresso. It is a place where industrial history meets the city's modern arts scene, and you can pick out the architectural legacy through its INEPAC Good Class heritage. I've always found that the best sounds in the city often come from the most unexpected old buildings.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 17 - PAR 2

Praça Tiradentes

You will first notice the wide, open expanse of Praça Tiradentes. This square is a significant stop for any visitor because it is recognized as a Heritage of Portuguese Influence. It provides a clear sense of the colonial aesthetic that shaped the early development of the region. I usually spend a few minutes here just watching the traffic flow around the perimeter. It is a useful spot to get your bearings before you continue your journey through the historic center of the city.

Wikidata

HOLE 18 - PAR 4

Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário e São Benedito dos Homens Pretos

This site is not a civic hall or a gallery. It is the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário e São Benedito dos Homens Pretos, a church building. This location is significant as it is a Heritage of Portuguese Influence. You can also find that it is a heritage asset listed by IPHAN. For those visiting the city, this building provides a direct look at the architectural and cultural history preserved by the state. It remains a focal point for understanding the specific heritage assets that define the local landscape of Rio de Janeiro.

Wikidata

STOP 19

Cais do Valongo

Located in the port area of Rio de Janeiro, Cais do Valongo is a wharf and an archaeological site. These ruins were built in 1811 and served as the landing and trading point for enslaved Africans until 1831. Because of this history, the site is recognized as historic heritage of Brazil and is a World Heritage Site. It is also registered by the RJ Monuments Inventory. I often see people pausing here to reflect on the stones beneath their feet.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

OTHER COURSES

9 HOLES - PAR 26

Porto Alegre

9 stops

The ball finishes its run at the Teatro de Arena. This round takes place on the real streets of Porto Alegre, using actual city attractions as the holes. Skip knows these sidewalks well, even the crumbs hidden in the corners. It is a quick nine-hole round covering 5 km, with portals moving the ball across the map between the distant parts of the city.

9 HOLES - PAR 28

Recife

9 stops

Banking a ball off the stone walls of the Capela Dourada requires a steady touch. This round takes place on the real streets of Recife, where the city map is the course and actual attractions form the holes. A quick 9-hole round covers 5.7 km and uses 104 portals to bridge the gaps. Skip knows these sidewalks better than anyone.

9 HOLES - PAR 29

Curitiba

9 stops

This is Curitiba, where the map is the real city and the round is played on its actual streets. The holes are built from real attractions like the Igreja da Glória. Skip is a local guide who knows the place and every crumb on the pavement. It is a quick round of 9 holes with a par of 29, covering a 6.1 km walk with 48 portals to bridge the gaps.

18 HOLES - PAR 55

Manaus

18 stops

Manaus is the setting for this round, where the map follows the real city and the ball rolls across its actual streets. The holes are built from real attractions, ending at the Igreja dos Remédios. Skip knows these corners well, though a pigeon occasionally gets distracted by the canopy. This full round of 18 holes with a par of 55 covers 11 km, using 8 portals to bridge the gaps between the landmarks.

18 HOLES - PAR 55

Belo Horizonte

18 stops

Belo Horizonte is the setting for this round, with the map following the real city and the ball rolling across its actual streets. The holes are built from real attractions, ending the game at the Museu Histórico Abílio Barreto. Skip is a local guide who knows every corner of the place. This full 18-hole round covers 12 km with a par of 55, using 30 portals to bridge the gaps between the landmarks.

FAQ

Is it free to play?

Yes. Every course runs in the browser with no account and no install.

Do I need to be in the city?

No. The full round plays from anywhere. Walking the real route is a nice way to see the city, but it is not required.

Are the maps real?

Yes. The geometry comes from OpenStreetMap data, rendered chunky on purpose. Streets, water and parks sit where they really are.