History
Parque do Flamengo was conceived during the major urban transformations of the early 1960s. Lota de Macedo Soares led the multidisciplinary project, with landscaping by Roberto Burle Marx and his team. MAM Rio describes a park of approximately 120 hectares, with around 17,000 trees and more than 240 tropical species.
What you can see
['Gardens and large green spaces facing Guanabara Bay', 'Museu de Arte Moderna (MAM) and its gardens', 'Marina da Glória and the World War II memorial', 'Paths, cycle lanes, courts and areas for running, skating and relaxing', 'Open views of Sugarloaf, Niterói and the bay']
What you can do
['Walk or cycle along the waterfront', 'Picnic and relax beneath the trees', 'Combine it with MAM, Marina da Glória or downtown', 'Sundays and public holidays: enjoy the recreational closure of some traffic lanes']
An interesting fact
Its official name is Parque Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes, although virtually everyone in Rio knows it as Aterro do Flamengo or Parque do Flamengo.
My tip
I would not try to “see all of Aterro.” Choose a section: MAM + Marina da Glória for culture and scenery; Flamengo for sports, lawns and local life.
You can match this outing to your energy: choose one stretch beside the bay instead of trying to cover the whole park on foot or by bike. Sun exposure is strong in open areas and shade varies along the route; carry water and agree on an easy-to-find exit point. With children, a pushchair or anyone with limited mobility, favour paved paths and check which sections are open before travelling.
