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Museum of Tomorrow: Tickets, Hours, Free Days, and How to Get There

Ubicado sobre el muelle Mauá en la Zona Portuaria, el Museo del Mañana es una obra maestra de la arquitectura futurista centrada en la ciencia, la sostenibilidad y el futuro del planeta.

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Museum of Tomorrow: Tickets, Hours, Free Days, and How to Get There

Ubicado sobre el muelle Mauá en la Zona Portuaria, el Museo del Mañana es una obra maestra de la arquitectura futurista centrada en la ciencia, la sostenibilidad y el futuro del planeta.

Vista exterior del Museo del Mañana en la Praça Mauá de Río de Janeiro.

The Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Amanhã) is an applied science museum exploring the opportunities and challenges humanity will face in the coming decades. Opened in late 2015 in the revitalized Praça Mauá (Rio’s Port Zone), its striking building designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava has quickly become one of Rio de Janeiro’s most famous modern landmarks.

Unlike traditional museums, it does not display ancient artifacts or historical collections; instead, it offers an interactive, immersive, and data-driven experience focused on climate change, biodiversity, population growth, and technological advancement.

Things to See and Do at the Museum of Tomorrow

The main exhibition is structured around five core philosophical and scientific questions:

1. The Main Exhibition (5 Core Pillars)

The interactive upper floor guides visitors through five thematic zones:

Where do we come from? (Cosmos): A 360-degree immersive dome projection about the origins of the universe and life on Earth.
Who are we? (Earth): Three large cubes exploring matter, life, and human thought.
Where are we? (Anthropocene): A striking multimedia installation showing the impact of human activity on the planet.
Where are we going? (Tomorrows): Interactive displays focusing on the future of energy, cities, technology, and longevity.
How do we want to live together? (Us): An ethical reflection space on individual and collective actions.

2. Admire the Architecture and Reflecting Pools

The futuristic building features cantilevered roof structures that extend over 70 meters into Guanabara Bay and mobile solar panels that rotate with the sun. The surrounding pools use filtered water pumped directly from the bay to keep the building cool.

3. Explore Praça Mauá and Olympic Boulevard

After your visit, take a walk along the Olympic Boulevard, home to Eduardo Kobra’s famous record-breaking Etnias street art mural, or visit the adjacent MAR (Rio Art Museum).

Arquitectura moderna en el interior del Museo del Mañana en Río de Janeiro.

Museum of Tomorrow Opening Hours

Open Days: Tuesday to Sunday.
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Last entry at 5:00 PM).
Mondays: Closed for maintenance.

Tip: During peak tourist seasons (January, February, July) and weekends, booking time-slot tickets online in advance is highly recommended.

Ticket Prices and Discount Rates

General Admission: ~30 to 40 BRL.
Half-Price Ticket: ~15 to 20 BRL (students, youth aged 15-29 with valid ID, seniors 60+, and visitors with disabilities).
Free Admission Day: Tuesdays (Free entry for all visitors). Prior online reservation on the official ticketing portal is mandatory as spots fill up very quickly.
Museum Combo Pass (MAR + Museum of Tomorrow): Discounted tickets are available if visiting both museums on the same day.

How to Buy Tickets

It is strongly advised to buy tickets online via the official museum website. When purchasing online, you select a specific entry time slot, allowing you to bypass long box-office queues.

How to Get to the Museum of Tomorrow

The museum is located at Praça Mauá, 1 in Downtown Rio. The easiest and most scenic way to arrive is using the VLT tram network:

By VLT Tram (Recommended):
- Take Line 1 (Blue) or Line 8 on the VLT network and get off at the Parada dos Museus station right in front of the building.
By Metro + VLT:
- Take Metro Line 1 or 2 to Uruguaiana or Cinelândia station, then transfer to VLT Line 1 towards Praia Formosa / Rodoviária.
By Uber / Taxi:
- Set your drop-off point to Praça Mauá. Travel time from Copacabana or Ipanema ranges between 20 and 35 minutes depending on traffic.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long does a visit to the Museum of Tomorrow take?

An average visit to the main permanent exhibition takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours. Allow around 3 hours total if exploring temporary exhibits and the surrounding plaza.

Is it kid-friendly?

Yes, the museum is highly interactive with touchscreens, data games, and visual installations that engage children and teenagers alike.

Are lockers and Wi-Fi available?

Yes, the museum provides luggage lockers, free Wi-Fi, a gift shop, a café, and full wheelchair accessibility.

Is photography allowed inside?

Yes, non-commercial photography and video without flash or tripods are permitted throughout the museum.