Standing guard at the month of Guanabara Bay, the sea entrance to the city, the 396-metre-tall granite monolith that is Sugarloaf Mountain is another of Rio’s greatest landmarks. Named for the refined sugar loafs that it resembles, from its summit the whole city, coastline, bay and ocean beyond are laid out at your feet – a mesmerising view. Travel up by the famous cable car, originally opened in 1912, which takes you to the top in two stages.