Sítio Roberto Burle Marx is the former home of Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, in Barra de Guaratiba in western Rio de Janeiro. Its gardens bring together more than 3,500 tropical and subtropical plant species, reflecting pools and paths designed by Burle Marx. Inside the residence and museum, you can see his drawings, sculptures, prints, tapestries, ceramic panels and other works. Visits are guided, with English tours available in the afternoon. Book ahead: visitor numbers are limited, and a tour takes about three hours.
A home turned into a study center
Roberto Burle Marx was a Brazilian landscape architect and artist known for designing parks and gardens. His work helped bring modernist landscape architecture to Brazil, and his designs include the mosaic beachfront walkways at Copacabana and the grounds of Aterro do Flamengo.
He began collecting plants as a child. The property in Barra de Guaratiba became his home in 1949, and he lived there until his death in 1994. It now serves as a center for landscape, botanical and nature-conservation studies. The estate covers more than 400,000 square metres and sits in a region of native vegetation in the Pedra Branca massif.
Gardens, water and plant collections
The grounds combine botanical landscaping with five reflecting pools and paths laid out by Burle Marx. More than 3,500 species of tropical and subtropical plants grow here. The collection includes rare and endangered species, as well as plants discovered by Burle Marx and named in his honour.
Burle Marx brought Brazilian flora into his landscape designs, treating plants as essential elements of a composition. The gardens let you see how he arranged vegetation and water across the estate, rather than encountering his work only in photographs or plans. The grounds also form part of a wider landscape that includes native vegetation.
The residence and museum collection
Seven buildings make up the site. The former residence is furnished with Burle Marx’s personal belongings, giving a sense of the home he occupied. A museum collection of more than 3,000 items includes drawings, sculptures, prints, tapestries, ceramic panels and jewelry.
The collection connects his landscape work with his practice as an artist. Look for the range of forms and materials represented across the rooms; the site brings together objects made by Burle Marx with the gardens he designed outside. Guided visits take you through the property and its buildings, with knowledgeable guides and English tours available in the afternoon.
Planning a visit
The site is in Barra de Guaratiba, in Rio’s western zone. Visits are guided, and advance booking is recommended because the number of visitors is limited. Allow about three hours for the tour and grounds. Comfortable footwear and mosquito repellent are useful for time outdoors.
Admission is listed at R$10 per person, and payment for entry and purchases at the gift shop is cash only. Check the official site when planning your visit for current booking details and visitor information.
FAQ
Do you need to book Sítio Roberto Burle Marx in advance?
Yes. Visitor numbers are limited, so reserve your guided visit ahead of time.
How long does a visit take?
Allow about three hours for the guided tour and grounds.
Is there an entry fee?
Admission is listed as R$10 per person. Entry is cash only.
Are English tours available?
Yes. English tours are available in the afternoon.
