Museu do Amanhã – Museum of Tomorrow

That eye-catching building by the bay is none other than the Museum of Tomorrow, the crown jewel of a major project to revitalize the Porto Maravilha district. This otherworldly structure straight out of a science-fiction movie houses an extraordinary museum exploring the origins of the universe and the future of mankind. Here, you’ll learn first-hand what it takes to build a sustainable future. Science, art, technology and culture all come together within these walls, to raise the same question: How will we live, and how do we want to live, in the years to come? The museum was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, who is also behind other remarkable and iconic buildings, such as the Olympic Stadium in Athens, inaugurated in 2004, and the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia. Just like the museum itself, the building is all about innovation, sustainability, and respect for the environment. It has over 5,000 sun-tracking solar panels, plus a natural cooling system that taps into the bay waters. Talk about eco-friendliness! Even its interior space incorporates natural sources of energy and light. Visitors are in to explore a 5,000 m² space housing permanent and temporary exhibitions. There’s also an auditorium, a café-restaurant and a special exploration lab for educational events. This newcomer has quickly become one of Rio’s must-see attractions.