The best museums in Rio de Janeiro

Your visit starts from the top, with a stunning view of Praça Mauá from the modernist building’s terrace. Then, head down to explore the temporary exhibitions—there can be up to four or five at once, so plan to spend some time here. The museum's collection boasts over 20,000 items, frequently featured to offer fresh perspectives on our history.

Home to one of the leading modern art collections in Latin America, with 16,000 items fueling its year-round temporary exhibitions curated by artistic director Pablo Lafuente. The museum also features a cinémathèque presenting rare films, workshops, and lectures with industry experts. Take a stroll around Aterro do Flamengo—on Sundays, you might catch some Carnaval block rehearsals.

The world’s only museum focused on the future, with contributions from MIT, Google, and NASA, making the main exhibit highly interactive and tech-forward. The journey is divided into five areas: Cosmos, Earth, Anthropocene, Tomorrows, and Us, featuring over 40 experiences in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. It presents a narrative on how we can shape the years to come. Keep an eye out for seasonal programs with great options.

For a deeper dive into Rio's history, the IPN offers a historical circuit around the Port Zone. It oversees the archaeological site of the Cemitério dos Pretos Novos, showcased in its Gamboa headquarters. The main hall features archaeological windows and artifacts unearthed during excavations.

Ever dreamed of parading down Marquês de Sapucaí? At Museu do Samba, you can don one of the glamorous costumes, join dance and percussion workshops, all part of the four-hour Samba Experience package, priced according to group size. Finish off with a traditional feijoada (R$70). The museum’s extensive collection of over 45,000 items powers exhibitions that delve into the genre that defines Rio.