| Benfica | |
| Settlement Type: | Neighborhood |
| Pushpin Map: | Brazil Rio de Janeiro#Brazil |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Rio de Janeiro |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  Brazil |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Rio de Janeiro (RJ) |
| Subdivision Type2: | Municipality/City |
| Subdivision Name2: | Rio de Janeiro |
| Subdivision Type3: | Zone |
| Subdivision Name3: | Centro |
| Population As Of: | 2010 |
| Population Total: | 25,081[1] |
| Coordinates: | -22.8925°N -43.24°W |
Benfica is a neighborhood in the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is located near São Cristóvão and Engenho de Dentro, within the Centro (Downtown) Administrative Region.
Benfica was first populated in the 16th century, as an area of sugarcane plantation developed by Jesuit missionaries, who received an extensive donation of land, which also included present-day Engenho da Rainha and Engenho Novo, from Estácio de Sá. After the jesuits were expelled from the Portuguese Empire by the marquis of Pombal, in 1759, possessions in Benfica were granted to various private owners, and the region became further populated.
The neighbourhood has historically played a role as a resting place and point of passage to places of interest in the outskirts of Rio, most notably on the Estrada Real (Royal Road). Today, Benfica is served by the Avenida Brasil and Avenida Dom Hélder Câmara, two avenues which link downtown Rio to suburbs in the North and West Zones.