Museums in Rio de Janeiro: Discover the unmissable ones

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Rio de Janeiro is not only made up of beautiful beaches and exuberant nature. The city also reserves an effervescent cultural life, with exhibitions for all tastes and profiles.

This is because Rio fully participates in the country's history and was even the former capital of Brazil between 1763 and 1960. It is not surprising that it has collections to be envied! We bring the best museums in Rio de Janeiro for you to enrich your program when visiting the wonderful city. Check out our selection:

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The Imperial Palace of Rio de Janeiro

Let's start with one of the oldest icons in Rio's history, in the city center. The Imperial Palace was built in 1743 and served as the residence of the viceroys of Brazil. That is, it was the home of Portuguese rulers during the Kingdom and the Empire.

The place served as a stage for countless political and social movements in the 18th century, which makes it an important part of Brazilian history. Among the most striking events are the Abolition of Slavery (signed at the Palace), the Proclamation of the Independence of Brazil and the Proclamation of the Republic.

Once there, you can enjoy several exhibitions that try to dialogue with the past, in addition to the Paulo Santos Library, installed on site. It brings together a collection of about 8 thousand volumes of Brazilian and Portuguese literature.

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National Museum of Fine Arts

The institution, located in downtown Rio, has changed its name several times over time: from Empire to Republic. Opened to the public in 1908, the construction was inspired by the Louvre Museum in Paris, although it also mixed other styles. The fact is that this museum does not go unnoticed: it is an impressive architectural gem!

When you visit, be prepared to walk through 6,000 meters of exhibitions, filled with rare works of art, documents, photographs and newspapers. Among the paintings to be appreciated in the museum's collection are “Self-Portrait”, by Tarsila do Amaral, and “The First Mass in Brazil”, by Candido Portinari. If you want to understand national art, the collection of this museum in Rio de Janeiro is a must.

Museum of Tomorrow

After visiting the past, let's go straight to the world of the future. This museum opened in 2015 is synonymous with avant-garde and innovation. We can already see this futuristic image by the architecture itself, inspired by the bromeliads of the Rio Botanical Garden. There are a total of 15 thousand square meters of construction, truly a sight to behold!

Inside, visitors feel like they are on a scientific mission: there are many environments, rooms and explorations possible. The museum tries to answer and provoke some of the fundamental questions of our existence: who are we and where are we going. A modern journey that has nothing to do with traditional science museums.

Instituto Moreira Salles

An architectural symbol of the 1950s, Instituto Moreira Salles welcomed banker Walther Moreira Salles and his family. From 1999 onwards, the large house was transformed into a temporary exhibition space, shows, film screenings and owner of a generous collection. Even if it does not bear the title of museum in its name, this institute fulfills its contemporary cultural mission with excellence.

The exhibitions that pass through there bring eclectic themes: from indigenous struggles and cultures, to Brazilian popular music and literature. It is a public house that explores the arts in a rich way, in a sumptuous environment, so it is worth the visit.

Rio Art Museum

The Rio Art Museum, also known as MAR, is another climax of the city. Its artistic heritage brings the relationships between the past and the present, with works that represent Rio's cultural heritage. You can come face to face with works by great names such as Aleijadinho, Tarsila do Amaral and Pancetti. There are also indigenous, African, quilombola, sacred and pre-Columbian collections. A true postgraduate degree in art history!

National Historical Museum

The National Historical Museum should also be on your list. The items in its collection have the mission of telling the history of Brazil and explaining its development as a nation. Located in the city park region, in Gávea, it has 170,000 items, from antiquity to the present day. Write down the visiting hours of this and the other museums we mentioned and enjoy Rio's culture!

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