architecture / monument · Brasília, DF
Congresso Nacional
Niemeyer's two domes and twin towers have become a symbol of the whole country. Free guided tours go into the chambers and the inner halls.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Congresso Nacional
The National Congress is the building that houses the Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Senate. It stands at the end of the Eixo Monumental, next to the Praça dos Três Poderes (Three Powers Square), and is the best-known image of Brasília.
It was designed by Oscar Niemeyer, within Lucio Costa's urban plan, and the palace was inaugurated in 1960, together with the capital. The composition is easy to read: two 28-story twin towers, linked halfway up, and two domes on a large horizontal slab. The upward-facing dome belongs to the Chamber; the downward-facing one, to the Senate.
From outside, it is worth seeing the ensemble from the lawn in front and from the top of the ramp, with the Esplanada dos Ministérios opening out behind. Inside, the guided tour is free and goes through the chambers of both houses, the Black, Green and Blue halls and the Túnel do Tempo (Time Tunnel), with works by artists such as Athos Bulcão, Di Cavalcanti and Alfredo Ceschiatti.
Visits require booking on the official website and photo ID for anyone over 12 (foreigners need a passport). On weekdays there is a dress code: no Bermuda shorts, shorts, tank tops or flip-flops. Visitors with disabilities can be dropped off at the Senate Annex 1 parking lot.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
An hour is enough to take the guided tour and photograph the building from outside at a relaxed pace.
Best time
In the dry season, from May to September, the sky is usually clear; in the morning the light hits the domes head-on as seen from the Esplanada, and in the late afternoon the towers take on a golden glow.
How to get there
It is at the eastern end of the Esplanada dos Ministérios, on the Eixo Monumental, in the central area of the Plano Piloto. From the Rodoviária do Plano Piloto (central bus station) you can walk along the Esplanada, a long walk with little shade, or take one of the buses that run along the Esplanada. By car or ride-hailing app, it is a quick trip from anywhere downtown.
Tip
Book your visit in advance on the official website and, if you go on a weekday, wear long pants and closed shoes so you aren't turned away.
Official website
A look at the place
Congresso Nacional in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Congresso Nacional
Is there a fee to visit the National Congress?
No. The guided tour is free, but it must be booked on the official website.
How long does the guided tour last?
About 50 minutes. Groups leave at regular intervals; check the times on the official website.
Are there tours on weekends?
Yes, tours also run on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. The weekdays vary, so check the official website before you go.
Do I need ID or specific clothing?
Anyone over 12 needs photo ID (foreigners, a passport). On weekdays you cannot enter in Bermuda shorts, shorts, tank tops or flip-flops; this rule does not apply on weekends and holidays.
Which dome belongs to the Chamber and which to the Senate?
The upward-facing dome belongs to the Chamber of Deputies; the downward-facing one belongs to the Federal Senate.