It is 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) long, and spans the entire length of the neighbourhoods of Copacabana and Leme.

In the stretch between its extremity in Leme and its crossing with Princesa Isabel Avenue (about 800 metres (2,600 ft) long), Avenida Atlântica has two car lanes in each direction, and from there to its Copacabana extremity, it has three lanes.

[1] Avenida Atlântica is lined with residential buildings, restaurants, hotels (including the Copacabana Palace) and a few shops.

Most buildings in the avenue have 11 floors, and were built with no empty space between.

The beach is also a frequently used as a venue for free concerts and sport events, hosting the marathon swimming, triathlon and beach volleyball competitions in the 2007 Pan American Games and the same competitions in the 2016 Summer Olympics.