Museu Historico Nacional
Museu Historico Nacional
4.5
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
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Originally a fortress and an ammunition depot dated of Colonial Brazil, the National Historical Museum created in 1922 became one of the most important museums of history in the country, housing a collection of circa 300,000 items. It holds 9,000 square meters galleries of long term and temporary exhibitions, besides a Library and Historical and Institutional Archives .
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: 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.
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles927 reviews
Excellent
574
Very good
280
Average
57
Poor
6
Terrible
10

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NelsonM970
Natal, RN757 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Solo
The National Historical Museum was created in 1922 and gathers a collection of more than 300,000 items, including the largest collection of numismatics in Latin America. The architectural ensemble that houses the Historical Museum originated from the Forte de Santiago, in Ponta do Calabouço, one of the strategic points for the defense of the city of Rio de Janeiro and is included in the Historic Center of Rio de Janeiro. It is an important visit for those who want to know and understand the historical formation of our country and our people. It is truly a dive into the history of our country. It's worth it and I recommend it.
Automatically translated
Written 2 October 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.

Archie
Glenmoore, PA7,749 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2024 • Family
We were grateful to enter a museum for free to learn about Brazilian history and traditions. The staff are very helpful. There are guards everywhere. It went through various periods of history. There are beautiful paintings and artefacts. There is an area with stagecoaches that we loved. It was fun to walk through the back with its courtyard. There are gardens out back to enjoy. Its a must visit.
Written 26 June 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.

Trek-Always
Alpharetta, GA2,522 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2015 • Friends
Things that may be helpful: 1) This museum is in Centro which is very empty on weekends. It is not safe to walk to the museum or around the area during weekends. We took a car from our hotel in Ipanema and had the driver wait for the 2-3 hours we were inside. He reported that he saw 3 robberies during that period. Just a quick heads-up to take care in your visit. 2) Entrance was no charge on Sunday. 3) Almost all displays had explanations in both Portuguese and English. 4) Some rooms are air conditioned and some are open to the outside. It can be hot so dress lightly.

This museum is well done. Displays were interesting and well presented. In my view, a lot of the turmoil of the 20th century was glossed over, but all other time periods were well covered. I wish we had done this museum earlier in our trip, and definitely before going to Petropolis.

If this review is helpful then please indicate so below.
Written 24 February 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.
Dear Sir, Thanks for your nice evaluation about the Museu Histórico Nacional, Sincerely, Angela Cardoso Guedes Press Advisor Museu Histórico Nacional Brasil
Written 27 February 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Patrick
61 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
I decided to go to this museum as it was a rainy day in Rio and I was interested in learning about some of the history of Rio and Brazil. I’ll start of by saying it is worth the 10 Real entry fee. The museum has a good collection of artifacts, paintings, and displays documenting the history of Brazil. I was disappointed that what I can only assume were good portions of the museum were shut down for maintenance. They were painting the walls in the middle of the day, so I feel like I missed out on a lot. Some of the staff were unnecessarily rude as well. Despite these negatives, I would say that it is still a good way to spend a rainy afternoon in Rio.
Written 19 November 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.
Dear visitor, at first we would like to thank your visiting and your sincere comment. It is true that we are under maintenance in some areas of the museum, but it happens because of emergencial actions to prevent damage to our collection due to rain specially - and we have tried not to disturb a lot my unfortunately it could happen. We are very surprised that our staff had been "rude" and we would like to apologize because we rarely receive complains such yours - please check other evaluations we have received. We hope you can have a better experience in your next visit.
Written 3 December 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jake
Minneapolis, MN122 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
I had a perception in my mind of the history of Brazil being rather ruthless. This exhibit did not make me feel that way. It made me feel like it was definitely the perspective of the Portuguese. I wanted to learn more about the truth and brutality of the African slave trade and the wars the with indigenous people. This exhibit seemed to focus more on the Portuguese. I don't think that is a bad thing but just wanted a more holistic approach to their history. I am a history nerd and I studied Brazilian history online almost every night while in Rio. This exhibit left me almost with more questions than answers, and I found that the stuff online was almost better than this exhibit.
Written 20 March 2020
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.
Thanks for your visit and evaluation!
Written 8 March 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sanna X
Sweden35 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
It took us ca 2 hours to see the part of the museum we were interested in (history of Brazil) and it was really interesting, good AC inside, important on a hot day and nice break from the always-busy-city.
Written 3 November 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.
Dear Sanna X, we are happy that you have enjoyed your visit! Thanks for your comment and evaluation!
Written 4 November 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

IlanSaoPaulo
Sao Paulo12 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2014 • Couples
The museum was closed Monday 30, because it was a Monday, a day during which the Museum closes for the weekly rest of its functionaries. Then it was closed Tuesday, 31, because it was the day before New Year´s. And obviously it was also closed Wednesday, January 1st. So, if you were or will be in Rio around holidays, check carefully the museum schedule, so as not to waste your time and effort, as we did.
Written 3 January 2014
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.

Frederic W
Rio de Janeiro, RJ377 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2013 • Family
I have been to a lot of Museums in NY, Paris, Italy... so I was kind of nervous to go to this one and come out disappointed as Rio de Janeiro is more a city that strikes you for its natural beauty and beaches - Museums hardly feature in the capital of Samba and carnival. However I must say that the National History Museum is absolutely worth it - we got there a bit early at 1 pm on Saturday (the Museum only opens from 2 to 6 pm) but that was not a problem as we had a truly delicious lunch at the Bistro The Line which is attached to the museum. The food is fantastic! I thought that would be as good as it was going to get, but the museum itself has a series of displays from indian art of the Amazons to fabulous paintings and art from the Portuguese Dynasty. There is also a huge collection of old coins from all over the world! Everyone will find something that catches your attention and imagination - a definite 5 out of 5!
Written 20 January 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.
Prezado Senhor, Agradecemos sua avaliação do Museu Histórico Nacional, na certeza de que a mesma muito nos incentiva a prosseguir na missão de preservar e divulgar esse patrimônio da Nação brasileira. Volte sempre! Atenciosamente, Cidália Ribeiro Departamento de Comunicação Museu Histórico Nacional
Written 21 July 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

ReadyToGoHome
Marshall, VA35 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2013 • Solo
Okay, so my family was not interested in visiting the museum with me. Its great. How much do you know about Brazilian history? Learn it here. From the native people to modern history, this is an excellent opportunity to learn about Brazil. I did not rent the English headset, most of the exhibit information is also in English. If you are interested in history, its a must see.
Written 17 January 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.

Allan W.
Pomona, CA158 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2018 • Couples
We only visited the permanent exhibit, but it was definitely worthwhile. Exhibit begins with first humans known to inhabit the area and indigenous groups, but then has well-displayed artifacts from colonial times and into the present. Free entrance on Sunday and it wasn’t crowded. No problem if you don’t read Portuguese, since the full texts of captions are in English.
Written 5 August 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.
Thank you for your visit and evaluation!
Written 7 August 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Museu Historico Nacional - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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