6 Best Museums to Visit in Rio de Janeiro
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We all know that Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has a reputation for beaches. Maybe you’ve also heard about the Sugarloaf Mountain and the Cristo Redentor statue, a.k.a the Jesus statue.
But did you know that Rio de Janeiro is one the best cities for museum lovers too?
Over the course of my several visits to Rio de Janeiro over the past few years, I’ve learned that there are some seriously amazing museums.
Whether you’re looking for a way to learn more about Brazilian culture, you’re a fan of art, or are just in need of some rainy day activities to do in Rio, here are the best museums to visit in Rio de Janeiro.
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1. Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Amanhã)
Although I’m not a big science buff, the Museum of Tomorrow was the museum I headed straight to my first time in Rio, and I was not disappointed!
Essentially, its focus is on both the potential opportunities and challenges of the coming decades from a sustainability perspective.
It has lots of interactive and immersive exhibits, and if my memory serves me correctly, English information was available for everything apart from one video exhibit.
I would plan to spend an hour or two here.
It’s also in a really uniquely designed building in Downtown Rio. It was designed by Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava, is inspired by Brazilian vegetation and culture, and has lots of sustainable features like moving solar panels and an air conditioning system using water from the nearby Guanabara Bay.
📷 This guided museum tour not only includes your admission to the Museum of Tomorrow, but it also includes a visit to the nearby AquaRio, (a highly-rated aquarium — I’ve heard it’s a must!), plus a tour of the revitalized Port Zone, where the museum is located. The neighborhood is super historic, and is also home to one of the largest street murals in the world. 🎨
🌟 Best for: Science and technology lovers, those who love interactive exhibits and/or appreciate cool architecture
🕰️ Hours: The Museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed on Mondays.
🎟️ Price: $40 BRL
🗺️ Neighborhood: Centro
2. Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB)
This cultural center is one of the most visited cultural institutions in the world, and it’s more than worth a visit!
It’s in a gorgeous building in Downtown Rio. I’ve visited three or so times at this point, and each time the exhibits have been interesting and unique.
Some focus on Brazil, but there have also been international artists and cultural exhibitions here. Plan to spend around an hour or so here! If you’re on a budget, it’s also one of my favorite places to visit, since it’s totally free.
🌟 Best for: Those interested in art and culture and on a budget!
🕰️ Hours: The museum is open Wednesday through Monday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. It’s closed on Tuesdays.
🎟️ Price: Free!
🗺️ Neighborhood: Centro
🎨 Downtown Rio, where CCBB is located, is honestly such an overlooked area. But, it’s one of my favorites for history, so much great architecture, and culture. If you’d like to explore more of the neighborhood before or after stopping at CCBB, consider booking this highly-rated historic walking tour. It covers places like the Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro (a gorgeous historic theater), and the iconic Escadaria Selarón, the multi-colored mosaic steps created by Chilean artist Jorge Selarón. 🌎
3. Rio Museum of Art (Museu De Arte Do Rio)
Right next to the Museum of Tomorrow, this art museum has two buildings, and a number of interesting exhibitions largely focused on Brazilian art and culture.
You can find both classic and modern art here — I found that there weren’t many descriptions or explanations available in English, but that didn’t prevent me from enjoying my time there.
🌟 Best for: Art lovers, those interested in Brazilian culture
🕰️ Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (with last entry at 5 p.m.); closed on Wednesdays
🎟️ Price: $20 BRL (free on Tuesdays)
🗺️ Neighborhood: Centro
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4. National History Museum (Museu Histórico Nacional)
Many consider the National History Museum to be one of the most important museums in Brazil. Not only does it boast an impressive collection of items (over 170,000 items from Antiquity to present day), but the building itself has a history that traces back to the country’s beginnings.
The Portuguese originally constructed it in the early 1600s to be a fortress, but it’s had numerous purposes over the years, including a prison for people who were enslaved, a space for weapons and ammunition, and by the mid-1800s, barracks for military troops.
It continued to be a military area until 1908. It officially reopened as a museum in 1922, and today houses everything from historic documents, currency, art, jewelry, toys, textiles and more. I haven’t made it to this museum yet (I did try though and sadly it was closed) but this is a must for my next trip to Rio!
🌟 Best for: history buffs, those looking to learn more about Brazil
🕰️ Hours: Their hours (and pricing) can be a bit inconsistent, but they’re generally open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry at 5 p.m.)
🎟️ Price: $10 BRL
🗺️ Neighborhood: Centro
5. Museum of Modern Art (Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro)
The Museum of Modern Art is known for having one of the most significant collections of modern and contemporary art in Latin America, with over 16,000 pieces.
One major plus of visiting is the area that it’s in. It’s in the Marina da Gloria neighborhood, and it’s right near Flamengo Park, meaning you’re in for a great view if you visit, and it’s a nice area to walk around in after visiting the museum.
🌟 Best for: Lovers of modern and contemporary art, anyone looking for a beautiful area to walk around along with a museum visit
🕰️ Hours: Open Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry at 5 p.m.)
🎟️ Price: Admission is free!
🗺️ Neighborhood: Glória
6. Museum of Fine Arts (Museu Nacional de Belas Artes)
This is another culturally significant institution. The Museum of Fine Arts houses a collection of over 20,000 pieces includes Brazilian and international art from the Middle Ages to today.
Although the museum officially opened in the 1930s, part of its collection stemmed from the century before, when a Portuguese king fled Portugal, bringing with him to Rio a significant collection of art, most of which remained even after his eventual return to Europe.
I haven’t been able to visit yet, since they were going through a long renovation process, but I’ve heard great things and it’s at the top of my list for when I’m next in RIo!
🌟 Best for: Those who appreciate art of any kind — this museum is known for its wide diversity of art forms and origins.
🕰️ Hours: Mondays through Fridays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., but the museum has been undergoing a long restoration with some weird hour changes, so check Instagram before visiting. They also open the second Saturday of each month, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
🎟️ Price: Admission is free!
🗺️ Neighborhood: Centro
There’s so much to explore in this city, which is why it’s one of the most amazing Brazilian cities, in my opinion. I hope that you make it to at least one or two of these best museums to visit in Rio de Janeiro on your next visit!
If you’re looking for another amazing art museum with an equally amazing view, consider taking a day trip to Niterói, a city right outside of Rio de Janeiro, and home to the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum.
If you want all these museums saved right to your Google Maps so you don’t need to worry about remembering which ones you liked, drop your email and name below! You’ll be sent my free curated map, filled with all the best restaurants, bars, sightseeing, and more, that I’ve collected after years of visiting Rio.
Head to one of these Rio guides next
- How to Get Around Rio de Janeiro Like a Local
- Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro on a Budget
- Windsor Leme Hotel Review: Perfect for First-Time Rio Visitors
- One Week in Rio de Janeiro Itinerary
- 6 Best Museums to Visit in Rio de Janeiro
- Best Weekend and Day Trips from Rio de Janeiro
- Best Places to Eat in Rio de Janeiro: 25 Top Restaurants & Bars
- 15 Brazilian Foods and Drinks You Have to Try in Rio de Janeiro
- How to Pack for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- How to Get to Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro
- The Ultimate Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide
- Is Rio de Janeiro Safe for Tourists? 10 Tips for Women Travelers
- Three Weeks in Brazil Itinerary
- Is Brazil Expensive to Visit? A Budget Breakdown
- 5 Best Places to Visit in Brazil for Your First Trip
A good directory of places to explore in Rio! I’d love to hear more about your opinion of each one. Pinned for a future trip!
Thanks for reading, Vanessa! I loved all the ones I visited, and they were all worth visiting, but it’s hard for me to dislike a museum honestly haha. (And I’ve heard great things about all, including the 2 I still have to visit!)
I tried to go to Museum of Tomorrow but I got there too late but I did go to the Museum of Art. Next time I’m in Rio, I will have to check these other museums out.
oh no, I’m sorry to hear that! I hope you enjoyed the art museum though!
Rio has been on my list for so long! I love the architecture at these museums. Looks beautiful while also being historical. Perfect combo!
agreed!! hope you’re able to make it there soon 🙂
The Museum of Tomorrow looks like an interesting spot–hands on, with science and tech mixed in. Very different from most of the museums you see normally.
Yeah I usually don’t go to science museums, but had heard amazing things about this one, and it was definitely worth it 🙂
I must admit that we did not see as much as we wanted when we finally got to Rio. We had bad weather and I wish I knew about some of these great museums. They would have been perfect for rainy days! I like the variety in the museums.
I hope you still enjoyed your time in Rio despite the weather! Unfortunately it does rain a lot there, so having some indoor places to visit definitely comes in handy!
Great post! Though I am also not a huge science person, the Museum of Tomorrow looks awesome! I love that there are interactive exhibits.
Thanks, Katie! it was so much fun!