Salvador de Bahia is rich in culture, history, museums, forts, convents, lighthouses and various attractions involving religion, music, history, carnival and beaches that enchant tourists.
This itinerary through Salvador starts with the basics: whether you’re a first-time sailor or have travelled countless times, going to Pelourinho is almost a must.
Heart of the city, visiting the neighbourhood (and its outskirts) is the fastest and coolest way to try to better understand the city.
The basic itinerary is to start right at the Terreiro de Jesus, where the Basilica Cathedral is located, and work your way down: either Rua das Laranjeiras (full of restaurants, bars and shops, cool studios) or Rua de Baixo, whose square and houses are the postcard of Pelô, and not because of the city too.
Once there, visit the Ordem Terceira de São Francisco Church, which has a small museum and an inner courtyard lined with Portuguese tiles.
Then head towards the Church and Convent of São Francisco (in Largo do Pelô, down the street and then up the Ladeira do Carmo).
On the way you will pass the huge steps of Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos and soon arrive at the small Largo do Convento do Carmo.
Relief from the long walk can be guaranteed in the shade and coolness of the bar of the coolest hotel in town, the Pestana Convento do Carmo.
For those who can’t stay there, looking at the pool (where the fountain in the inner courtyard used to be) and sipping a juice is a guarantee of a relaxing moment.
After the rest, it’s time to do some shopping at the Mercado Modelo. The way to get there from Pelourinho is taking the Elavador Lacerda, an icon of the city. The view from the upper town to the lower town is one of the most beautiful and photogenic in Salvador.
The Mercado Modelo in Salvador is the place to buy all those souvenirs and travel foods that everyone expects from Salvador: multicoloured Senhor do Bonfim ribbons, lace, cocadas, cashew nuts and even the berimbau (remember: you’ll have to ship it on the plane?) To get away from the hustle and bustle, the restaurant at the top of the market offers a beautiful view of the marina.
At the bottom, a capoeira circle is always open, attracting the attention of gringos and non-soteropolitans.
A tour like this deserves a finale in style: a sunset at the Barra lighthouse! Take a taxi in front of the market and follow Avenida Lafayete Coutinho and 7 de Setembro.
There, at the end of the afternoon, there are several cool and charming bars, such as Pereira and its co-partner Pereira Sussa, with a direct sea view.
Another option is to guarantee a spot on the grass around the lighthouse, with a large iced green coconut and enjoy the moment.
Salvador de Bahia Travel and Tourism Guide
Solar do Unhão is an 18th-century historic site on the shores of the Bay of All Saints in Salvador, comprising the manor house, the Chapel of Our Lady of Conception, a private pier, aqueduct, fountain, slave quarters and an alembic with tanks. The complex currently houses the Museum of Modern […]
The Gamboa neighbourhood is characterised by the coastal community, secularly inhabited by fishermen, located at the south-western entrance of the Bay of All Saints near the centre of Salvador. Gamboa – which is home to the communities of Solar do Unhão and Gamboa de Cima e de Baixo – is […]
Avenida Contorno in Salvador was inaugurated in 1962, designed by the architect Diógenes Rebouças and connected Campo Grande to Cidade Baixa. Gamboa de Baixo can be considered one of the most privileged locations in Salvador. Surrounded by a private beach and with a unique view of the sunset on Itaparica […]
The Palaces in Salvador da Bahia have already received royalty, carry great stories and currently have different functions. Some palaces are used for wedding parties, others have become beautiful museums and some (a)hold an uncertain future. Get to know the architecture and history of the Palaces 1. Palace of Acclamation […]
The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Conception of the Beach or Church of Our Lady of the Conception of the Beach is located in the Lower City of Salvador, in Bahia, the Church of Our Lady of the Conception of the Beach which is a few metres from […]
The Convent and Church of Santa Teresa, in Salvador-BA, was listed for its cultural importance. In 1665, a convent of Discalced Carmelites was founded in Bahia, whose works were conducted by Friar José do Espirito Santo, in a place where there was a small church dedicated to St Teresa, the […]
The Elevador Lacerda or Lacerda Lift is one of the icons of Brazilian architecture. The construction is a means of public transport that connects two parts of the historical centre of Salvador: the Upper and Lower Towns. At 63 metres high, it connects the two points in a quick 20-second ride. […]
The Nossa Senhora of Monte Serrat, originally called the Castle of Saint Philip, is considered to be an extraordinarily important example of our early fortified architecture, as it is the most archaic model of local defences that has survived without major transformations. In this respect, it is perhaps the oldest […]
Forte de Santo Antônio da Barra oe Barra Lighthouse in Salvador is certainly one of the ex-libris of the City of Salvador. However, none of the other fortifications of the Head of Brazil has undergone so many metamorphoses during its more than four hundred years of existence than the Fort […]
The fort of St Marcellus or Forte de São Marcelo in Salvador was built on a crown of sand, and because it is the only one with a circular plan; The history of the Forte de São Marcelo is full of curious episodes to say the least. In 1624, for […]
The Church of Our Lady of the Seas or Igreja Nossa Senhora dos Mares is the only church in Bahia built in the Neo-Gothic style, characterised by verticality, a pyramid-shaped roof, pointed towers and a predominance of windows and rose windows. The Carmelites built a chapel dedicated to Our Lady […]
An expressive example of Baroque architecture in Brazil, the Igreja da Ordem Terceira de São Francisco in Salvador or Church of the Third Order of St Francis, located at Largo do Pelourinho in Salvador, Bahia, had its foundation stone installed on 1 January 1702. Its exuberant high-relief façade, carved in […]
In the Rio Vermelho neighborhood is the best of Salvador’s excitement. In the neighborhood are located several bars, restaurants and nightclubs. It is the best place to taste the acarajés of the city. In Largo de Santana, Dinha, Regina and Cyra have demarcated their territories, bringing together tourists, bohemians and […]
Ponta de Humaitá is near the Monte Serrat Fort, is one of the most charming places in Salvador, with a privileged view of the Bay of All Saints and an unforgettable sunset. Get to know a little of the magic and history of Ponta de Humaitá. For those who want an […]
Salvador is a living museum of the history and diversity that our country offers. A symbol of the mixture of creeds and ethnicities, the culture that was formed in Bahia is rich, full of cheerful people who only need sun to be happy. The Bahian culture is strong in all […]
Religiosity is a strong characteristic of Salvadorans. This can be exemplified by the 160 churches scattered throughout Salvador da Bahia, true monuments from the 17th and 18th centuries that illustrate the power of Catholicism at the time. In addition to the religious temples, the Afro culture of candomblé is also […]
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