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
Official Website: Royal Portuguese Reading Room
Fee: NoMany tourist attractions are temporarily closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Please verify any opening hours below with the attraction before visiting.
Closed Now
Regular Hours:
- Monday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Category: Libraries Landmarks & Historical Buildings Local Flavor
Address:
Rua Luís de Camões, 30
Rio de Janeiro - RJ 20051-020
Brazil
Phone: +55 21 2221-3138
Reviews
Michelle P. Sep-09-2018
Real Gabinete Português de Leitura (Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading) is a library and a lusophone institution located at downtown Rio de Janeiro, a... Read More
Real Gabinete Português de Leitura (Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading) is a library and a lusophone institution located at downtown Rio de Janeiro, a...Luciana Y. Jan-14-2016
If you are ever in the downtown area and can stop by here, its worth it! Its free entrance, and really small. But in an area that is surrounded by tall... Read More
If you are ever in the downtown area and can stop by here, its worth it!
Its free entrance, and really small. But in an area that is surrounded by tall...Accommodations near Royal Portuguese Reading Room:
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 
Photo Credit: Yelp 
Photo Credit: Yelp 
Photo Credit: Yelp
