Biblioteca Nacional (National Library), Rio de Janeiro

Biblioteca Nacional (National Library), Rio de Janeiro

The Biblioteca Nacional is the largest library in Latin America. With over 900 million titles, it is also the seventh most extensive library collection in the world. This impressive collection began after an earthquake in 1755 damaged the Royal Library of Portugal in Lisbon. The Portuguese then decided to move parts of its collection to Brazil. The collection was stored in several different buildings until the current library was completed in 1910.

The neoclassical and art nouveau-style building is absolutely gorgeous. Visitors are welcome to view the library's collection and admire its stunning architecture. You can climb the impressive staircases and be inspired by the colors in the stained glass. The skylights add a delightful light to the stunning location.

Visitors will love the artistry evident in every interior vista. Walls feature elegant ornamentation, artwork, and sculptures. Art exhibitions are often held in various heritage rooms.

Visitors can wander on their own or take a guided tour. Tours are free and are available in both English and Spanish. Guides speak to the history and heritage of the museum and its collection, making the tour a great cultural experience.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Rio de Janeiro. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Biblioteca Nacional (National Library) on Map

Sight Name: Biblioteca Nacional (National Library)
Sight Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (See walking tours in Rio de Janeiro)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Create Your Own Walk in Rio de Janeiro

Create Your Own Walk in Rio de Janeiro

Creating your own self-guided walk in Rio de Janeiro is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Rio de Janeiro Beach Walk

Rio de Janeiro Beach Walk

The Copacabana and Ipanema beaches are two of the main reasons Rio is so famous around the world. While Copacabana is a year-round tourist hub, famed for its incredible New Year’s Eve celebrations, the Ipanema and Leblon neighborhoods have the cleanest, safest, most beautiful beaches in the city, and are the favorite playgrounds of Rio de Janeiro’s upper-middle class.

Start your tour with a...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Rio de Janeiro Introduction Walking Tour

Rio de Janeiro Introduction Walking Tour

Rio de Janeiro is the capital city of the state of Rio de Janeiro. It was founded in 1565 by the Portuguese. It was the capital of the State of Brazil of the Portuguese Empire from 1763 until 1822.

When Brazil became independent of Portugal in 1822, Rio de Janeiro became the capital of the Empire of Brazil. In 1889, Brazil became a republican nation, with Rio de Janeiro as its capital. But in...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Rio's Top Religious Sites

Rio's Top Religious Sites

Due to the legacy of the Portuguese in language, religion, and law, Rio de Janeiro has had a rich and influential Catholic tradition. Until the mid-20th century almost all Brazilians were – at least nominally – Catholic, and today the country’s religious sites, both classic and modern, impress with their skill, creativity and devotion.

Founded in 1590 by Benedictine monks from Bahia, the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


16 Uniquely Brazilian Souvenirs to Bring Home from Rio de Janeiro

16 Uniquely Brazilian Souvenirs to Bring Home from Rio de Janeiro

Other than the sun, passion and football, for which Brazil is renowned and which cannot be fitted into one's luggage, picking a memorable gift from Rio is a tough job. And this is not because of the lack of suitable things to choose from, but because of their abundance. Indeed, there're...