The National Congress of Brazil (Congresso Nacional) is the seat of the country's bicameral legislature — the Senate and Chamber of Deputies — standing at the end of the Monumental Axis on the Three Powers Square in Brasília. Designed by Oscar Niemeyer and inaugurated in 1960 when the capital was founded, it is one of the world's most recognizable works of modernist architecture, with twin 28-story towers and two contrasting half-domes: an upward-opening bowl for the Chamber of Deputies and an inverted dome for the Senate, symbolizing democratic balance. The whole of Brasília was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Following the January 8, 2023 invasion, most of the damaged artworks have been restored (56 of 64 completed as of early 2025), and the building is fully operational, offering free guided tours of the chambers and its art collection.
The twin cupolas: the upward bowl crowns the Chamber of Deputies plenary and the inverted dome the Senate — the signature image of Niemeyer's curves
The paired 28-story administrative towers rising above a vast marble roof-terrace platform
The Three Powers Square (Praça dos Três Poderes), where the Congress (legislative), Planalto Palace (executive) and Supreme Federal Court (judicial) meet
Interiors of the Senate and Chamber plenaries, the Salão Negro, and the building's collection of Brazilian modern art and tapestries (including Burle Marx works)
Sweeping views along the Monumental Axis toward the TV Tower and Cathedral within Niemeyer and Lúcio Costa's planned city
Good to know
RulesGuided tours are free but a weekday dress code applies: shorts/bermudas, sleeveless tops, miniskirts and flip-flops are not allowed. Wear long trousers and sleeved shirts (children under 12 are exempt).
RulesA photo ID is mandatory to enter — foreign visitors must bring their original passport (no photocopies). You pass through a metal detector; weapons, scissors and pliers are held temporarily.
MannersVisiting days and times are limited: closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Thursday by advance booking only, with regular walk-in tours on Monday, Friday, weekends and holidays. English tours run on set days/times only, so check the official scheduling system for the latest slots.
SafetyThe government-building area is generally safe by day, but the Esplanade is very open with quiet stretches. Avoid walking there after dark and use Uber or 99 (ride apps) instead; keep your phone and valuables out of sight to deter pickpockets.
SeasonJuly is Brasília's dry season (winter): low humidity and strong UV. You'll walk exposed plazas with little shade, so bring water, a hat and sunscreen, and pack a light layer for cool mornings and evenings against the wide day-night temperature swing.
CautionThe official guided tour is entirely free. Ignore any street touts near the square offering paid 'tickets' or 'special tours.' Restaurant bills usually already include a 10% service charge (gorjeta), so watch for double-tipping.
Practical info
Take the metro to the Plano Piloto central bus station (Rodoviária), then a bus toward the Three Powers Square (routes 108, 108.3, 108.5) or walk about 20–30 minutes along the Esplanade; from the airport, the executive bus 113 passes the square. Opening is generally 8:30–17:00 (closed Tue/Wed; Thursday by reservation), and both entry and guided tours are free — but days, hours and language-specific tour times can change, so always confirm the latest details on the official site before visiting.
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