An early-20th-century European architectural vibe dominates the old Centro business district. Among the historic theaters and grand churches, the National Museum of Fine Arts—a 1908 structure designed in an eclectic style with Renaissance influences—has a collection that includes not only European and Brazilian works but African art as well. Some years ago, the Lapa neighborhood within Centro had become a place to avoid, but it’s now enjoying a rebirth as a destination for culture and nightlife.
