Maceió Museums

Maceió has a small but concentrated network of museums. Most are in the center and Jaraguá, a few minutes from the waterfront, and you can visit two or three in a single day. Museums are also a good option for rainy days, as the Maceió on a rainy day guide shows.

Théo Brandão Museum of Anthropology and Folklore

This is the reference museum for Alagoas popular culture. It belongs to UFAL (the Federal University of Alagoas), was founded in 1975 and occupies a 19th-century mansion at Avenida da Paz, 1490, in the center. The collection includes figurative ceramics, wood carvings, costumes and hats from folk performances, folk toys, Kariri-Xocó pottery, ex-votos and objects from Afro-Brazilian religions.

In October 2025, UFAL reported that the museum was partially open because of renovation work, with visits Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment via email. See the details on the Théo Brandão Museum page.

Museum of Image and Sound of Alagoas (MISA)

MISA preserves the state’s audiovisual memory: photographs, recordings, records, old radios and cameras. It’s run by the State Department of Culture and is at Rua Sá e Albuquerque, 275, in Jaraguá, according to the official list. The building is on the state’s list of listed heritage buildings. The official list gives opening hours as Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Other museums on the official list

The Floriano Peixoto Palace, the former seat of the state government, is listed by the state and stands on one of the central squares. The UFAL Natural History Museum is an option for families; see more ideas in Maceió with kids.

Museums in Marechal Deodoro

About 28 km from central Maceió, according to Visite Alagoas, Marechal Deodoro was the first capital of Alagoas. The Convent of Santa Maria Madalena, protected by Iphan (Brazil’s national heritage institute), has housed the city’s Museum of Sacred Art since 1984. The house where Deodoro da Fonseca was born also operates as a museum. You can combine it with Praia do Francês on the same day.

Which museum for whom

University museums follow UFAL’s calendar and may have reduced hours during vacations, strikes or works. State museums follow the State Department of Culture’s program. In both cases, confirm your visit on an up-to-date official channel before setting out.

How to plan your route

Morning in the center and Jaraguá. Start at the Floriano Peixoto Palace and the central squares, continue to MISA in Jaraguá and finish at the Théo Brandão Museum on Avenida da Paz, if you’ve booked.

Afternoon at Pontal da Barra. The Théo Brandão collection began at Pontal da Barra. In the late afternoon, head to the neighborhood to see the lacemakers and the sunset over the lagoon.

To understand what you’ll see in the display cases, read the Alagoas popular culture guide. For the historical context, see the history of Maceió.