The historical buildings of Rio de Janeiro

This monument was inspired by the Chichén Itzá pyramid, a structure of the Maya civilization in Mexico. However, here the base is circular, with four stained-glass windows representing the four characteristics of the church. The numbers are impressive: it stands 64 meters tall internally, with a total area of 8,000 m² and a seating capacity for 5,000 people. In the basement, there is the Archdiocesan Museum of Sacred Art, featuring pieces such as the font used to baptize the princes of the Royal Family and the throne of Dom Pedro II. The church is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, São Sebastião, and holds Mass every day: Monday at 12:00 PM in the Chapel of Souls; Tuesday to Saturday at 12:00 PM in the JMJ Chapel; and Sunday at 10:00 AM at the Main Altar.

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.

Designed in 1936 for what was then the Ministry of Education and Public Health, this building is a gem of Brazilian architecture. Under the guidance of Lúcio Costa, a team of young architects, including Oscar Niemeyer, Affonso Eduardo Reidy, Carlos Leão, Jorge Moreira, and Ernani Vasconcellos, brought this vision to life.

Rua da Imprensa, 16, Centro.

Built in the late 1950s by Sérgio Bernardes for the International Exhibition of Industry and Commerce during the Juscelino Kubitschek era, this pavilion now serves as the Centro Luiz Gonzaga de Tradições Nordestinas, celebrating Northeastern culture and commerce. Note that the building has been altered from its original design.

The Passarela Professor Darcy Ribeiro, better known as the Sambódromo, was designed by Oscar Niemeyer to showcase the Samba Schools Parade and “bring it back” to the people. Constructed in the 1980s, this urban stage becomes a global spectacle during Carnival.

The cultural space was inaugurated in 2013 and is now one of the best facilities in the city. The building, designed by French architect Christian Portzamparc, is elevated ten meters above the ground (you might even feel a little vertigo on the escalators leading up) and hosts music, theater, cinema, dance, and visual arts in two performance halls and 21 multi-purpose spaces. That's why it is common for large shows to be held there due to its state-of-the-art infrastructure. The facilities are so impressive that there is a guided tour program, with prior booking, available daily from 10am to 5pm.

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.

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.