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Real Gabinete Portugues Da Leitura

Real Gabinete Portugues Da Leitura

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Real Gabinete Portugues Da Leitura
4.5
#15 of 1,023 things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Libraries
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
About
Mon-Fri 9am-6pm
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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.
How to get there
  • Uruguai • 4 min walk
  • Uruguaiana • 4 min walk
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See what travellers are saying
  • Ellie C
    199 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visually Spectacular !!
    I added this to the itinerary of our private Rio tour. Very glad I did. It’s a very quick stop that is totally worth it. You only see the main room but it is stunning. Upon entering, every person said “wow” in a hushed tone as they entered.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 23 January 2024
  • Reservarlden
    London, United Kingdom1,643 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing building of knowledge
    In Rio Centro it is definitely worth having a look inside this amazing library and finding yourself in awe at the amazing interior. Truly amazing wealth of books stored here so elegantly. The attraction has no admission charge.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 9 February 2024
  • Steve D
    Divonne-les-Bains, France849 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely stunning
    An amazing place and one not to miss in Rio. Apparently all the books were shipped in from Portugal to ensure the history of the place was protected for future generations. Is just an amazing site and of course a major photo opportunity. A must do.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 27 February 2024
  • Annemarie K
    Ypsilanti, Michigan33 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An absolute must to see
    Fabulous library, looks like it was from an Old World castle or a monastery. All four walls are lined with medieval books, though it is also a research library. It is a little hard to find, so a guided tour may be helpful here.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 23 April 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions
4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles2,162 reviews
Excellent
1,526
Very good
505
Average
111
Poor
15
Terrible
6
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
viajanteprofissional
Brasilia, DF5,366 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Decentralized access
Sept 2024 • Couples
This is one more of the five star attractions that is part of the cultural tourist itinerary of Centro do Rio. The exterior beauty of the building would be enough for a walk through the site, but it is observing its interior that we are fascinated by the architectural details and the arrangement of the rich collection that makes up the space. Toast the vacationer the fact that they do not charge a ticket or require any filling in of a ticket or ticket by catracas.
Automatically translated
Written 10 September 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.
Ellie C
Rhinebeck, New York, United States199 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Visually Spectacular !!
Jan 2024 • Couples
I added this to the itinerary of our private Rio tour. Very glad I did. It’s a very quick stop that is totally worth it. You only see the main room but it is stunning. Upon entering, every person said “wow” in a hushed tone as they entered.
Written 23 January 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.
dellangelo54
Turin, Italy17,453 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
One of the most famous libraries in the world
Dec 2023 • Friends
In the central area of Rio there is this late 19th century building in Manueline style, designed by the Portuguese architect Rafael da Silva e Castro. It is one of the most famous libraries in the world with a priceless heritage of books, especially of Portuguese culture. The facade is inspired by the Jeronimos Monastery of Lisbon, while the magnificent interior, always in the same style, has a skylight in colored glass and iron of great effect. In my opinion it is the most beautiful building in Rio.
Google
Written 26 December 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.
Celux
Rivoli, Italy9,757 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Definitely the most important attraction, besides nature
May 2023 • Solo
A jewel in all respects, but one wonders why such an important work was created for a bookshop.
Built at the end of the 19th century when Brazil was an independent state and no longer had anything to do with Portugal.
A group of powerful Portuguese immigrants created it.
For the Portuguese colony of Brazil, its European roots had now arguably become an idealized memory and the heroic period of the Portuguese voyages of discovery now had to be evoked for future generations through a magnificent work of historicist architecture.
The entire building is characterized by sumptuous Manueline decoration and architecture that recalls particular aspects of late Portuguese Gothic, distributed over two floors and numerous galleries.
Important original Portuguese texts are preserved, making it one of the most important libraries in the world.
Beautiful!
Google
Written 3 September 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.
NelsonM970
Natal, RN800 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Real Portuguese Reading Office, a treasure in the centre of Rio de Janeiro
Jan 2024 • Couples
The name already says everything, as it is for those who like books and to read. The building that houses the Cabinet was built in 1837, in Manueline style and the facade is very similar to the facade of the Mosteiro dos Jerônimos, in Lisbon. The building is very beautiful on the outside and inside. There is a stunning lustre in the main lobby that occupies the very high right foot with book shelves. It is not a public library, but rather a research library, so don’t get too frustrated by not being able to get close to the books (it only opens between 10:00 and 17:00). It's worth it, even with the various restrictions.
Automatically translated
Written 17 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.
Grason
23 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Amazing Little Library
Feb 2022
This is a great little spot in the Centro District of Rio.

As of right now, you can just go in and look around. You won't be able to sit down and read or study due to Covid restrictions. So, expect to enter, look around, take some photos (the place is very unique and beautiful), and then leave.

I would set aside at most 30 minutes for this spot.
Written 22 February 2022
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.
Vinícius S
Sao Joao Da Boa Vista, SP1,202 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
A “treasure” in the center
Mar 2024 • Couples
The building is currently among the most “instagrammable” spots in Rio! Rich in beauty and details, it caught the attention of all tourists! It's charming, as are many tourist attractions in the center... it's a shame the region is so neglected and dangerous!
Google
Written 28 March 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.
Reservarlden
London, UK1,643 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Amazing building of knowledge
Feb 2024 • Solo
In Rio Centro it is definitely worth having a look inside this amazing library and finding yourself in awe at the amazing interior. Truly amazing wealth of books stored here so elegantly. The attraction has no admission charge.
Written 9 February 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.
Goal100Countries
Cheltenham, UK598 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Favourite Library in the World
May 2019
The Royal Portuguese Reading Room is the most incredible and breathtaking library that I have ever seen. The shelves are seemingly endless and the scale of the place is awesome. It is wonderfully peaceful and worth seeing for yourself at an off-peak time for the best pictures.
Written 7 January 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.
Gitorres
Belo Horizonte, MG568 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Get to know!!!!!
May 2024 • Family
Call beautiful, worth the visit. You arrive in the main hall and only from this place do you have access to view the books and every detail (ceiling, walls, unmissable details). Free entry and no booking required. Estimated time for the visit: 20 minutes.
Google
Written 18 May 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.
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REAL GABINETE PORTUGUES DA LEITURA (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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