Biblioteca Nacional
Biblioteca Nacional
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Centro
Downtown Rio is the place where this city was born. With modern skyscrapers sharing space with historical buildings and landmarks, this neighbourhood is living proof that the old and the new can live together harmoniously. As you would expect, downtown is where all major companies house their offices. However, the region isn’t restricted to businesses. Gems such like the “Paço Imperial,” which is a cultural centre that used to serve as a residence for governors of Brazil, can be found here. Pedra do Sal, a Monday night street party, is also in this neighbourhood. This landmark is the birthplace of samba and is famous for its “roda de sambas” (“dance circles”). Stop in for one and get closer to discovering where Brazilian happiness comes from.
How to get there
- Cinelândia • 2 min walk
- Carioca • 5 min walk
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2,018 within 3 miles
Attractions
667 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
811 reviews
Excellent
443
Very good
246
Average
87
Poor
23
Terrible
12
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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NelsonM970
Natal, RN753 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
The National Library of Rio de Janeiro is one of the 10 best-rated libraries in the world (by UNESCO). It was founded in 1910. It has a fantastic architecture, highlighting the building itself, the interior ceiling, the stairs with sculptures and the red carpet, the chandeliers and the support columns. It is a historic place, with permanent exhibition of important documents for the history of Brazil and periodic exhibitions. There is also a sale of classic books. It is possible to make guided tours at no cost, only needs scheduling. The library's stock is very large, well organized and cared for. It is a workplace for researchers of history, domestic and foreign.
Automatically translated
Written October 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ramon Ferreira
Limeira, SP102 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
It is a trip that is very worthwhile for anyone in Rio de Janeiro. Firstly because it is close to the Municipal Theater, making it possible to combine the two in a single day/period. Furthermore, it is a short tour, from 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the curiosity of whoever is visiting. The place is beautiful, with lots of information, pieces and works. Additionally, there is a small bookstore that sells some titles right at the entrance, but they only accept payment via invoice generated by e-gov (the local employee gives instructions), not accepting pix, cash, or credit/debit cards. Its architecture is worth the entire trip. It is an extremely beautiful place, with an architecture full of details that is worth admiring during your visit.
Written October 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GUSDALI
Rio de Janeiro, RJ8,024 contributions
Jul 2011 • Couples
The National Library of Rio de Janeiro is the fourth in the world in number of books, but is probably the first in beauty. A huge and beautiful collection, very well arranged and in a sumptuous, refined and inspiring environment.
Written September 2, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
emat822
Scotland, UK206 contributions
Dec 2019
We chanced on this and what a discovery. So many books in such a wonderful setting. I don't understand why this is not better publicised.
Written December 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tinahawk
New York City, NY28 contributions
Dec 2018 • Friends
I've seen amazing photos of this magnificent library and looked forward to seeing it. While the library is incredibly beautiful, regular visitors aren't really able to view the balconies upon balconies of vintage books that I've seen in the photos. The areas guest are allowed to visit are limited to the extent where it's impossible to see or take photos of that.
However, I did get to see a Guttenberg Bible and the grandness and decor of the foyer and hallways are unforgettable. I just didn't get to see any other BOOKS.
Please note: This is not an easy destination for those who are mobility impaired.
It is free and you are provided a locker for your personal belongings.
However, I did get to see a Guttenberg Bible and the grandness and decor of the foyer and hallways are unforgettable. I just didn't get to see any other BOOKS.
Please note: This is not an easy destination for those who are mobility impaired.
It is free and you are provided a locker for your personal belongings.
Written December 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel K
4 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
The library offers free English guided tours at 2pm every day and when Maian showed us round it ended up just being me and my fiancé which was lovely. Maian was very friendly and knew loads about the building and its contents. She was happy to answer our questions and this was a great addition to our trip. Really interesting and worthwhile :)
Written October 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline D
Atlanta, GA204 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
The largest library in Latin America and 8th largest in the world. Not only was this free to tour, but we received an English-speaking guide as well. Free locker storage too. The building was a cavernous sea of books and periodicals. By law, every book published in Brazil must give one copy to the library, which has now amassed over 3 million books.
Written March 31, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liu S
Vilnius, Lithuania4,477 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
Unfortunately, we couldn't get inside, since they require IDs to enter the library (it is also a federal building as we were explained). But they would accept a photocopy of your ID as well, so it is good idea to carry one with you.
Written November 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FLMH
Niteroi, RJ77 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
The National Library is definitely worth a visit. Entrance is free and get a guided tour. The english tour guide we had was very good! The library is old, they have rare and amazing collections for research. It's THE research library of the country and THE largest in Latin America. The tour takes you by the archives where they work on digitalizing the collection to preserve the books but keep it available for readers, and where they archive the books they receive by donations. The history is interesting.
You don't actually get to see books though sadly, which is what I would have liked. Only from afar, cause only the librarians can handle the books. Visitors only get to find the identification number of the book and then it will be fetched. For the special books I understand this, but for the average visitor just wanting to borrow a bestseller to read, I would have liked to see those types of books just in a really big room with shelves and shelves of books. But that's me being a book geek.
Still it was very interesting and the architecture is stunning!
You don't actually get to see books though sadly, which is what I would have liked. Only from afar, cause only the librarians can handle the books. Visitors only get to find the identification number of the book and then it will be fetched. For the special books I understand this, but for the average visitor just wanting to borrow a bestseller to read, I would have liked to see those types of books just in a really big room with shelves and shelves of books. But that's me being a book geek.
Still it was very interesting and the architecture is stunning!
Written July 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlexSwallow
Sheffield, UK1,656 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
An impressive building inside and out- but as a visitor experience, much to be desired.
Brusque security, little information, the beautiful part of the building inaccessible- they could have just opened up a little bit more (in a sealed booth for example so as not to disturb the researchers) and it would have been amazing.
Brusque security, little information, the beautiful part of the building inaccessible- they could have just opened up a little bit more (in a sealed booth for example so as not to disturb the researchers) and it would have been amazing.
Written February 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sim. Fica aberto em horário comercial e você pode visitar e estudar dentro. Antes da visita confirme os horários de funcionamento durante a semana e finais de semana.
Bom estudo!!!!!
Written April 5, 2019
Olá Nelly
Seguem os horários:
Segunda a sexta-feira, das 9h às 19h.
Sábdao das 9h às 15h
Veja se também tem alguma exposição da outra parte externa a biblioteca e aproveite a visita.
Abraços
Written July 8, 2018
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