Rio Art Museum

The Museu de Arte do Rio is an art museum in the port district made up of a restored early 20th-century palace and a modern building with curved lines. The two structures are linked by elevated walkways and feature large windows that bring light inside and frame views of the surroundings.

The museum opened in 2013 as part of a major project to revitalize the historical port area of Rio de Janeiro. Converting the old palace and connecting it to modern spaces reflected efforts to reactivate this overlooked neighborhood.

The museum displays works by Brazilian artists spanning multiple periods, showing how creators responded to their surroundings and communities. You encounter both traditional and contemporary pieces that reveal the artistic conversations shaping the country.

The museum is easy to reach and sits within walking distance of other port district attractions, so visiting fits well with other activities. The space is accessible and generously laid out, allowing you to move through the galleries comfortably.

The building bridges the gap between Porto and Cidade Nova, two historically separate neighborhoods that had little connection before. This architectural connection has brought the two areas closer together and changed how people experience the zone.