The brightly painted houses on this picturesque plaza date from the early 19th century. Largo do Boticário was named in honor of the Portuguese gentleman – Joaquim Luiz da Silva Souto – who once ran a boticário (apothecary) utilized by the royal family. The sound of a brook from the nearby forest adds to the plaza's charm.

In late 2018 the Accor Group purchased six of the houses on the square, and will be transforming them into a high-end hostel under the Jo&Joe brand.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Parque Nacional da Tijuca

0.52 MILES

The Tijuca is all that's left of the Atlantic rainforest that once surrounded Rio de Janeiro. This 39-sq-km tropical-jungle preserve is an exuberant green…

2. Cristo Redentor

1.04 MILES

Standing atop Corcovado (which means ‘hunchback’), Cristo Redentor gazes out over Rio, a placid expression on his well-crafted face. The mountain rises…

3. Museu do Índio

1.08 MILES

Though closed for renovations at the time of research, the small Museu do Índio features multimedia exhibitions on Brazil’s northern tribes and provides…

4. Museu Villa-Lobos

1.12 MILES

Housed in a century-old building, this modest museum is dedicated to the memory of Brazil’s greatest classical composer and founder of the Brazilian…

5. Museu Casa de Rui Barbosa

1.18 MILES

The former mansion of famous Brazilian journalist and diplomat Rui Barbosa is now a museum housing his library and personal belongings. Barbosa played a…

6. Parque Guinle

1.25 MILES

This handsomely landscaped park is a pleasant escape from busy Rua das Laranjeiras outside its sphinx-guarded gates. It has a small wooded area and a tiny…

7. Palácio das Laranjeiras

1.27 MILES

The state governor's residence (closed to the public) is in Parque Guinle. The palace overlooks the west side of the park and is partially hidden by a…

8. Praia de Botafogo

1.39 MILES

Although the waters of Baía de Guanabara (Guanabara Bay) are too polluted for swimming, the beach overlooking the Enseada de Botafogo (Botafogo Inlet)…