The best museums in Recife in September 2025

These are the top 20 best museums in Recife, Brazil, ranked by their rating and popularity in 2025. Click a museum for more information about the museum, including visitor information, exhibitions and reviews.

For a complete overview of museums in Recife, their exhibitions and discount cards & passes, see our overview page with all museums in Recife.

Looking for the best museums in Recife? These are the best ones:

  1. Ricardo Brennand Institute1

    Ricardo Brennand Institute

     Recife
    The Instituto Ricardo Brennand (IRB), also known as Castle Brennand, is a cultural institute located in Recife, Brazil. It was founded in 2002 by the art collector Ricardo Brennand. This institute is a significant cultural hub in the region, offering a unique blend of history, art, and architecture.
  2. Sao Joao Batista do Brum Fort2

    Sao Joao Batista do Brum Fort

     Recife
    Forte do Brum, also known as Fort De Bruyn, is a historical site located in Recife, Brazil. This 17th-century fort holds a significant place in the history of the region. Originally built by the Portuguese, it was later taken over by the Dutch during the invasion of Pernambuco in 1630. The fort's strategic location and robust design played a crucial role in the defense of the area.
  3. Paço do Frevo3

    Paço do Frevo

     Recife
    Paço do Frevo is a cultural hub located in Recife, the capital of Pernambuco in Brazil. It is dedicated to the promotion, research, leisure, and training in the areas of dance and music of frevo, a traditional Brazilian dance and music genre. This space provides an immersive experience into the vibrant culture of frevo, offering visitors a chance to learn, enjoy, and even participate in this unique art form.
  4. Museu Cais do Sertão4

    Museu Cais do Sertão

     Recife
    The Museu Cais do Sertão is an interactive museum dedicated to the culture of Sertão and the works of Luiz Gonzaga. It is located in the city of Recife, the capital of Pernambuco in Brazil. The museum offers a unique blend of traditional and innovative exhibits, providing visitors with an immersive experience into the rich and diverse culture of Sertão.
  5. Casa da Cultura (Recife)5

    Casa da Cultura (Recife)

     Recife
    The Casa da Cultura is a hub for the sale of handicrafts in Recife, the capital of the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. This makes it a great place for tourists to explore local crafts and purchase unique souvenirs.
  6. Abolition Museum6

    Abolition Museum

     Recife
    The Abolition Museum, situated in Recife, the capital of Pernambuco, Brazil, is a unique institution that focuses on a significant part of the country's history. It is one of the few museums in Brazil that provides an in-depth exploration of the abolition of slavery, making it a unique destination for those interested in understanding this crucial period in Brazilian history.
  7. Oficina Cerâmica Francisco Brennand7

    Oficina Cerâmica Francisco Brennand

     Recife
    The Oficina Cerâmica Francisco Brennand is an art museum situated in Recife, the capital city of Pernambuco in Brazil. This museum was established by the renowned Pernambucan artist, Francisco Brennand, whose name it carries. It is a significant cultural landmark in the region, offering visitors a unique insight into the work and life of Francisco Brennand.
  8. Pernambuco State Museum8

    Pernambuco State Museum

     Recife
    The Pernambuco State Museum, also known as MEPE, is an art and local history museum situated in the city of Recife, in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. It offers a unique opportunity for visitors to delve into the rich history and culture of the region through its extensive collection of art and historical artifacts.
  9. Central Station Capiba - Recife Train Museum9

    Central Station Capiba - Recife Train Museum

     Recife
    The Museu do Trem, also known as Estação Central Capiba/Museu do Trem, is a railway museum situated in Recife, the capital city of the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. It is a significant cultural and historical site that offers a glimpse into the rich railway history of the region.
  10. Museum of Modern Art Aloísio Magalhães10

    Museum of Modern Art Aloísio Magalhães

     Recife
    The Aloisio Magalhães Museum of Modern Art, also known as MAMAM, is situated in Recife, the capital city of the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. The museum is recognized as a reference center for modern and contemporary visual arts, making it a significant destination for art enthusiasts.
  11. Museu do Homem do Nordeste11

    Museu do Homem do Nordeste

     Recife
    The Museu do Homem do Nordeste is a Brazilian museum situated in Recife, the capital city of Pernambuco. This museum is a federal institution linked to the Joaquim Nabuco Foundation and the Ministry of Education. It offers a unique insight into the diverse cultures of the region, including black, indigenous, and white cultures, from their origins to their current forms and mixtures that make up what is generally referred to as Brazilian culture.
  12. Gilberto Freyre Foundation12

    Gilberto Freyre Foundation

     Recife
    The Gilberto Freyre Foundation is a cultural institution that is situated in the Magdalena and Gilberto Freyre House-Museum. This museum is located in Recife, which is the capital city of Pernambuco in Brazil. It is a significant cultural hub in the region and offers a unique insight into the life and works of Gilberto Freyre.
  13. Recife City Museum13

    Recife City Museum

     Recife
    The Recife City Museum is a significant cultural institution located in Recife, the capital of Pernambuco. Established in 1982, the museum is housed in the Fort of São Tiago das Cinco Pontas, situated in the southern part of the city. The museum is under the administration of the Secretariat of Culture of the Municipality of Recife, further emphasizing its importance in the cultural landscape of the city.
  14. Embassy of Pernambuco - Olinda Dolls Giants14

    Embassy of Pernambuco - Olinda Dolls Giants

     Recife
    The Embassy of the Giant Dolls, also known as 'Olinda dolls', is a permanent exhibition that showcases popular allegories of the Carnival of Pernambuco. These giant dolls are a significant part of the local culture and are a unique attraction for visitors.
  15. Zoo Botanical Park Dois Irmãos15

    Zoo Botanical Park Dois Irmãos

     Recife
    Dois Irmãos State Park, also known as PEDI, is a unique combination of a park, zoo, and a conservation unit for the Atlantic Forest. It is situated in Recife, PE. The park spans over an impressive area of 1158.42 hectares, out of which 14 hectares are dedicated to the zoo. This vast expanse offers a diverse range of flora and fauna for visitors to explore and appreciate.
  16. 16

    Joaquim Nabuco Foundation

     Recife
    The Joaquim Nabuco Foundation was established with the purpose of preserving the historical and cultural legacy of Joaquim Nabuco. The foundation places a particular emphasis on the North and Northeast regions of Brazil. This makes it a significant institution for understanding the cultural and historical context of these regions.
  17. Franciscan Museum of Religious Art17

    Franciscan Museum of Religious Art

     Recife
    The Franciscan Museum of Sacred Art is situated in Recife, the capital city of Pernambuco in Brazil. The museum is dedicated to the preservation of objects of worship and sacred art. It provides a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the rich religious history and culture of the region.
  18. Museum of Nuclear Sciences18

    Museum of Nuclear Sciences

     Recife
    The Museum of Nuclear Sciences, located in Recife, the capital of Pernambuco, Brazil, holds the distinction of being the first and only museum in the country entirely dedicated to the research, conservation, and exhibition of objects and collections related to the evolution of nuclear technology in Brazil and the world. This unique focus makes it a fascinating destination for those interested in the history and development of nuclear technology.
  19. 19

    Museu de Minerais e Rochas (UFES)

     Recife
    The Museu de Minerais e Rochas, located in Vitória, is a museum that emphasizes geological science. It is integrated into the Department of Oceanography and Ecology, which is part of the Center for Human and Natural Sciences at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES). This museum is a great place for tourists interested in geology and natural sciences.
  20. 20

    Museu de Oceanografia Petrônio Alves Coelho

     Recife

All museums in Recife