10 Best museums in Rio de Janeiro

If you are planning to visit Rio de Janeiro and, in addition to its beaches and nightclubs, you want to get to know the cultural side of the city, you can't miss the museums of the ancient Brazilian capital. There you can discover the social and architectural legacy of this destination and also some of the most interesting exhibitions.

Some of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro include visiting the Flamengo Museum, touring the Museum of Tomorrow, visiting the Maracana Stadium and its exhibition of sports elements, discovering the National Museum of Brazil, marvelling at the Aerospace Museum and exploring the rich heritage of the Rio Museum of Art.

If you want to discover one of Rio de Janeiro's great passions, a visit to the Flamengo Museum, the city's most popular football team and one of the most successful in Brazil, is a must. This experience will allow you to get to know the sporting culture of the country, which is one of the world's leading exponents in football.

In this museum in the Lagoa neighbourhood you can discover a large collection of trophies, historic jerseys, memorabilia from iconic matches and photographs of legendary players who have left an indelible mark on the club. The museum pays tribute to iconic figures such as Zico, whose achievements with the team and the Brazilian national team left a lasting mark on football history.

In addition, the museum also offers an in-depth insight into the culture and passion of the fans of Flamengo, which is considered the team with the most fans in the world. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits that showcase the fervour of the fans and how the team has become an integral part of the Carioca identity and the Maracana Stadium, the site of its home games.

Details of interest

• Price: entrance fee is approximately 22 euros per person.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.
• Location: Av. Borges de Medeiros 997, Rio de Janeiro.

The Museum of Tomorrow, located in the port of Rio de Janeiro, not only has one of the most interesting exhibitions in the city, but also the building that contains it is considered an architectural masterpiece and a beacon of scientific and technological innovation. Inside this museum you will find interactive exhibits that address topics ranging from climate change and biodiversity to sustainable energy and the evolution of life on Earth.

One of the most fascinating experiences offered by this museum is the Terrarium of Tomorrow, a space that recreates a tropical forest with lush vegetation and native fauna. There you can walk along elevated walkways and experience the rich biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest while learning about its importance to the environmental balance.

In addition, the Museum of Tomorrow houses temporary exhibitions highlighting contemporary and global issues, and offers educational workshops that will be ideal if you plan to visit the city with children. Due to its importance in terms of building and its extensive exhibition, a visit to this museum is considered one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro.

Interesting details

• Price: the entrance fee is approximately 4 euros per person.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.
• Location: Praça Mauá 1, Rio de Janeiro.

The Maracana Stadium is one of the most iconic sporting venues in history and is a tribute to world football. This place that no sports fan should miss, also offers a museum that reviews the history of the stadium and recounts the events that have taken place in this space.

In the museum you can browse through a collection of football memorabilia that spans decades of passion and sporting achievement. You can admire trophies, legendary jerseys and memorabilia of players who have left an indelible mark on Brazilian and world football. The rich history of the 1950 World Cup and the Maracanazo, which took place in this stadium and still resonates in the collective memory of the entire planet, also occupies a part of the exhibition.

Furthermore, during your visit to the museum you will also have the opportunity to enter the pitch. You will be able to walk on the pitch that has witnessed national and international cup finals and get to know the immensity of the stadium from the same point of view as the protagonists.

In the museum you will also find information about the architecture and construction of the Maracana Stadium, as well as its role as a cultural and sporting meeting place in Rio de Janeiro.

Interesting details

• Price: entrance fee is approximately 16 euros per person.
• Opening hours: daily from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm.
• Location: Av. Pres. Castelo Branco, Gate 3, Rio de Janeiro

The National Museum of Brazil is a cultural and historical gem located in the heart of Rio de Janeiro. This neoclassical building, which houses one of the richest and most varied collections in Latin America, ranges from art and archaeology to botany and palaeontology.

The museum's highlight is its extensive collection of pre-Columbian and ethnographic art, which includes artefacts and objects from the indigenous cultures of Brazil and the region. In addition, the museum displays a collection of Egyptian art and artefacts, as well as a variety of archaeological pieces that tell the story of South America from its earliest inhabitants to colonial times.

The National Museum is also famous for its natural history collection, which includes fossils, minerals and botanical specimens. One of the most outstanding treasures is Maxakalisaurus topai, a dinosaur skeleton discovered in Brazil and one of the few of its kind in the world.

Details of interest

• Price: Admission to the museum is free.
• Opening hours: daily from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.
• Location: Quinta da Boa Vista, San Cristobal, Rio de Janeiro.

If you want to get to know one of the epicentres of the artistic avant-gardes of the 20th and 21st centuries in Rio de Janeiro, you cannot miss the Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum building, known as MAC Niterói, was designed by the architect Oscar Niemeyer, so this place is not only worth visiting for its exhibitions but also for its structure, which is considered a masterpiece.

This museum is also located on the Guanabara Bay, so it offers a panoramic view of the Sugarloaf Rock, which will allow you to see this attraction from the north side, something unusual in typical excursions.

Inside the museum you will find a varied collection of works by Brazilian and international artists. From paintings and sculptures to installations and conceptual art, this exhibition presents a wide representation of contemporary artistic expressions. Also, if you plan to visit Rio de Janeiro during Christmas, you can find festive displays and decorations.

The museum's interior space is just as striking as its façade. With an exhibition hall that offers plenty of natural light and a panoramic view of the surroundings, you can enjoy a unique experience while browsing the contemporary art galleries.

Interesting details

• Price: entrance fee is approximately 2 euros per person.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.
• Location: Mirante da Boa Viagem, s/n, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil has been one of Latin America's military powers since the end of the 19th century, and one of the best ways to learn about the history of the local militia is to visit the Conde de Linhares Military Museum. This exhibition, housed in a colonial building in the San Cristóbal neighbourhood, features a variety of exhibits and collections ranging from weapons and uniforms to military documents and artefacts.

One of the museum's main attractions is its extensive collection of firearms, which includes rifles, pistols and cannons used at various points in the country's history. In addition, the museum offers a detailed overview of Brazil' s involvement in World War II and the reasons that led this Latin American power to take part in the conflict that took place mainly in Europe.

The museum also has a library specialising in military subjects, making it an essential research centre for those interested in the military history of Brazil and the world.

Interesting details

• Price: entrance fee is approximately 3 euros per person.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.
• Location: Av. Pedro II, 383, Rio de Janeiro.

The Rio de Janeiro Aerospace Museum is a must-see destination for aviation and space exploration enthusiasts. It offers a window into the world of aeronautics and astronautics in Brazil, and its collection features a diverse range of historic aircraft, equipment and artefacts.

Here you'll find an exhibition of military and civilian aircraft, from World War I aircraft to modern aircraft used by the Brazilian Air Force. You can explore fighter planes, transport planes and helicopters that have been instrumental in the defence and operation of Brazil, as well as some of the prototypes that belonged to Alberto Santos Dumont, one of the world's aviation pioneers.

In addition, the museum has a display devoted entirely to space exploration, including model rockets and spacecraft, as well as information about Brazilian astronauts and their contribution to aerospace research.

Interesting details

• Price: entrance fee is approximately 5 euros per person.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm.
• Location: Av. Marechal Fontenele 2000, Rio de Janeiro.

Located in Flamengo Park, the building of the Museum of Modern Art, designed by architect Affonso Eduardo Reidy, is a masterpiece in itself. It houses a collection ranging from paintings and sculptures to installations and video art, in artistic expressions that defy convention and reflect the creativity and experimentation of modern art.

One of the main attractions of the MAM is its vast collection of Brazilian art, which includes works by leading national artists such as Lygia Clark, Hélio Oiticica and Beatriz Milhazes. However, it also includes temporary exhibitions that change every few months and sometimes feature eve-themed works, which you may notice if you visit Rio de Janeiro in December during the Christmas season.

MAM is not only a place to admire art, but also to participate in Rio de Janeiro's cultural scene. The museum organises events, lectures and educational programmes that allow visitors to learn about the world of contemporary art. And because of its location, you can also combine this visit with a tour of Christ the Redeemer or the Selarón Staircase.

Interesting details

• Price: the entrance fee is approximately 2,150 euros per person.
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 5.30 pm.
• Location: Av. Infante Dom Henrique 85, Flamengo Park, Rio de Janeiro.

If you want to learn about Brazil's past, a visit to the National Historical Museum is a must during your trip to Rio de Janeiro. This museum, which is located in the city centre, exhibits a variety of objects, artefacts and documents that tell the story of the country's history from its pre-Columbian roots to the colonial era and the republican present.

From colonial art and period furniture to objects used during the imperial and contemporary period, the National Historical Museum offers a comprehensive overview of Brazil's evolution over the centuries. Due to its heritage significance, a visit is often included in the itineraries of the best guided tours of Rio de Janeiro.

One of the jewels in the museum's crown is its collection of colonial art, which includes paintings and sculptures illustrating the European influence on Brazilian culture during the colonial era. You can also review historical documents, ancient cartography and objects related to slavery, providing a deeper understanding of Brazil's cultural diversity and challenges.

Details of interest

• Price: entrance fee is approximately 3 euros per person.
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.
• Location: Praça Mal. ncora s/n, Rio de Janeiro.

If you want to discover one of the epicentres of Rio de Janeiro's cultural scene, then you can't miss the Rio Art Museum. Located next to the city's port, this museum offers a variety of galleries with Brazilian and foreign works of art.

From paintings and sculptures to photography and video art, the museum presents artistic expressions ranging from classical to contemporary. You will find works by renowned artists as well as emerging Brazilian talents. However, it is not only the museum's exhibits that will capture your attention, but you will also be amazed by the panoramic views of the Guanabara Bay and the Museum of Tomorrow.

This museum, due to its location, is also an ideal place to combine with other local attractions and excursions, such as the best cruise tours in Rio de Janeiro, which usually take you around the bay and nearby beaches. During these tours you can discover a different side of the city.

Interesting details

• Price: the entrance fee is approximately 2 euros per person.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 11.00 am to 6.00 pm.
• Location: Praça Mauá 5, Rio de Janeiro.