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
Just unbelivable how beautiful! Rio take better care of your old buildings. This whole area is beautiful but a lot of deserted and neglected marvelous buildings.
Giger Ab - a month ago
One of the most beautiful libraries I’ve seen! It’s free and not too many people. You just walk in to the main room and that’s it. Take your time to appreciate all the little details in the architecture.
Nick Rivas - 3 months ago
Special room with an otherworldly quality to it. Books, architecture and glass design all add to a room that feels straight out of a Tolkien or Pratchett fantasy. Lovely just to observe quietly for a few minutes. Very much worth the short queue. They really should charge for it.
Warning: in case you are concerned about online privacy, you are likely to have your face in lots of people's photos and videos. There is indiscriminate photo taking in the room.
Sarah Williams - 2 weeks ago
If you’re a book lover this is a must visit if you’re in Rio. This book lovers dream houses over 350,000 volumes including rare pieces from the 16th to 18th centuries. Come early as it gets super busy. The gothic architecture is visual overload and you could spend over an hour here just taking in the atmosphere. Only open on weekdays.
Global Femme - 4 months ago
The Portuguese Royal Library in Rio de Janeiro is an absolute treasure and one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. The moment you walk in, you’re instantly captivated by its grandeur and atmosphere. Towering shelves, carved wooden details, soft lighting — it truly feels like stepping into a fairy tale or a historical film.
Even if you’re not a book lover, this place is worth visiting for its architecture, energy, and sense of history. You’ll want to stay longer, take in every detail, breathe in the scent of old books, and simply enjoy the peacefulness. An absolutely magical place — a must-visit in Rio!
Nika Strungari - 7 months 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
