Royal Portuguese Reading Room
The interior of the historic Royal Portuguese Reading Room is nothing short of awe inspiring
Located in downtown Rio, amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, lies the Real Gabinete Portugues da Leitura or Royal Portuguese Reading Room in English. The Real Gabinete Portugues da Leitura or is a beautiful library built in the Portuguese manueline style back in 1837.
It is said that books fill the walls from top to bottom in precious and beautiful carved wood bookshelves. There are those who make comparisons with Hogsworth college (those of you who have watched the Harry Potter series would know exactly what they are talking about). For those who have not seen any shots of the inside of Hogsworth, let's just say that the place is absolutely magical.
The library houses over 350,000 works, many of those works dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th century. These works contain an incredible amount of Portuguese history and culture. The Real Gabinete Prtugues da Lietura also features a variety of small collections of paintings, sculptures and ancient coins.
It is recommended when visiting the library you make certain that you go with a group of people or at least one other person as the library is situated in an older part of downtown of Rio de Janiero and like many large cities, you will find a number of beggars and vendors who can sometimes be on the aggressive side. See the video at the bottom of our Transit Tips page for some great advice on being safe while exploring Rio.
The other attractions in the area are the National LIbrary of Brazil and the Municipal Theatre. Both are definitely worth a visit.
For an afternoon of wonder in a world of literature and amazing architecture, visit the Real Gabinete Portugues da Leitura. Don't forget to bring your identity document along to ensure access!
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: NoRoyal Portuguese Reading Room Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- 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
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Address: R. Luís de Camões, 30 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20051-020, Brazil
Phone: (21) 2221-3138
Official Website: Royal Portuguese Reading Room
Royal Portuguese Reading Room Reviews
Rated out of 5
If you haven't yet had the chance to visit this library, I highly recommend making it a priority during your time in Rio. This incredible place is truly a sight to behold, with a soaring ceiling and an endless sea of vibrantly colored books that surround you. It's nothing short of amazing!
However, I must caution that the area in which the library is located can be a bit rough. While I wouldn't discourage anyone from visiting, it's essential to exercise extra caution and be aware of your surroundings.
All things considered, the library is an absolute must-visit for book lovers and anyone who appreciates stunning architecture and design. If you have the opportunity to see it in person, I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Kimberly Pham - a year ago
Bananas! Wow! The Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading in Rio de Janeiro is a cultural haven, housed in a stunning Neo-Manueline style building designed by architect Rafael da Silva e Castro. Established in 1837, it holds the title of the fourth most beautiful library globally, according to Time magazine. With a long history and the largest collection of Portuguese literature outside Portugal, it stands as a testament to cultural promotion.
Sara Govero - 4 months ago
It is listed by the State Institute of Cultural Heritage. Elected the fourth most beautiful library in the world . A totally must visit location when in Rio .
Alisa Margilaj - 3 weeks ago
A dream library, probably among the most beautiful in the entire world, Unfortunately, now is a tourist spot, full of people taking selfies. Nevertheless, it's a magical place that I recommend visiting, as a glimpse of a more glamorous past.
Danielo D2 - 11 months ago
If you watched Harry Potter then you’ve seen this incredibly beautiful library. Opened in 1887, now with 400,000 Portuguese volumes. If you are in Rio, take 15 minutes to see this incredible one of a kind place in the world. This isn’t just a beautiful library, but an important part of written history of Portugal. This library is absolutely priceless.
Winston Cubed - a year ago
Directions
| Metro Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 - Orange or LIne2 - Green | Uruguaiana |
How to get to Royal Portuguese Reading Room by Metro
Exit Uruguaiana Station onto Rua Uruguaiana and go right. Go right again onto Rua do Ouvidor and follow it to the plaza. Continue west along Rua Luis de Camoes, the road that borders the right side of the plaza and watch for the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura on your right.
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Photo Gallery
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Facade and entrance to the Royal Portuguese Reading Room in Rio de Janeiro cc licensed photo by Wikimapa -
cc licensed photo by Os Rúpias -
Library inside the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura cc licensed photo by Os Rúpias
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