Visiting Salvador, the capital of Bahia and one of Brazil’s most vibrant cities, is a rich and diverse experience.
The city is known for its rich Afro-Brazilian cultural heritage and is an important centre of African culture and history in Brazil, with visible influences in music, dance, cuisine and local traditions.
Pelourinho, the historic centre of Salvador, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its cobbled streets, baroque churches and colourful colonial houses offer a glimpse into Brazil’s colonial past.
Salvador is the birthplace of axé and samba-reggae. The city is famous for its lively live music celebrations, where you can listen to authentic rhythms and even take part in dance classes such as capoeira and samba.
Bahian cuisine is one of the tastiest in Brazil, with African, Portuguese and indigenous influences. Dishes such as acarajé, moqueca, vatapá and caruru are a must to try.
Salvador’s Carnival is one of the biggest and most famous in the world. The street parties, trios elétricos and blocos de carnaval attract millions of people every year, creating an atmosphere of unrivalled celebration and joy.
The city has beautiful urban beaches, such as Porto da Barra and Flamengo, as well as being close to paradisiacal islands, such as Itaparica Island and Morro de São Paulo, which offer crystal-clear waters and stunning landscapes.
The city is an important centre for Afro-Brazilian religious practices, such as candomblé. Visiting Salvador offers a unique opportunity to learn about religious syncretism and the coexistence of different spiritual traditions.
Salvador has a rich artistic and architectural tradition. The city is full of historic churches, museums and art galleries exhibiting both traditional and contemporary works.
In addition to Carnival, Salvador hosts various events and festivities throughout the year, such as the Iemanjá Festival and São João, which provide an immersion in local traditions and celebrations.
To visit Salvador da Bahia is to immerse yourself in a city full of life, history and culture.
With its rich Afro-Brazilian heritage, vibrant music scene and stunning landscapes, the city offers a unique experience that captivates all the senses and leaves lasting memories.
Salvador da Bahia is rich in culture, history, museums, forts, convents, lighthouses and various attractions involving religion, music, history, carnival and beaches that enchant tourists.
Tourist Guide to Salvador de Bahia
The Catedral Basílica de Salvador is one of the most important sacred buildings from Colonial Brazil. A testament to the history and Catholicism in the country, the temple also houses a collection of great value, including paintings by various 17th-century authors, jacaranda wood furniture, and several sacred objects made of […]
The Nossa Senhora de Monte Serrat Fort, located in the city of Salvador, Bahia, is one of the most iconic and well-preserved examples of colonial military architecture in Brazil. Considered an important tourist spot, the fort offers a combination of historical and cultural value and panoramic views that attract local […]
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. Discover the architecture and history of the Palaces in Salvador 1. Palácio da Aclamação Considered […]
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 Museum of Art of Bahia (Museu de Arte da Bahia – MAB) is the oldest art museum in the state of Bahia, located in Salvador, specifically at 2340 Avenida Sete de Setembro, in the Vitória neighborhood. Established in 1918, the museum occupies the historic Cerqueira Lima Mansion, a former […]
The Lacerda Elevator is one of the most iconic landmarks in Salvador, Bahia, and in Brazil. In addition to its importance as an essential means of transport between Salvador’s Lower and Upper Towns, the Lacerda Elevator is also a symbol of the history and modernisation of the Bahian capital. The […]
The Nossa Senhora de Monte Serrat Fort, originally known as the Castle of São Felipe, 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 Forte de Santo Antônio da Barra is one of the most important historical landmarks in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, and is also known for housing the iconic Barra Lighthouse (Farol da Barra). This fort has a rich history tied to the defense of the city, the colonial period, and navigation. […]
The Forte de São Marcelo, also known as the “Forte do Mar” (Sea Fort), is one of the most iconic historical structures in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Its strategic location on a small island in the Bay of All Saints (Baía de Todos os Santos), near the port of Salvador, makes […]
The Church of Nossa Senhora dos Mares, located in Salvador, Bahia, is an important religious and cultural monument in the city. Also known as the Church of Nossa Senhora dos Mares and São Pedro Nolasco, it is located in the Mares neighbourhood, a traditional area of Salvador, close to the […]
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. The original baroque interior was replaced […]
The Rio Vermelho neighbourhood is home to the best of Salvador’s hustle and bustle. The neighbourhood is home to many bars, restaurants and nightclubs. It’s the best place to try the city’s acarajés. In Largo de Santana, Dinha, Regina and Cyra demarcated their territories, bringing together tourists, bohemians and artists. […]
Ponta de Humaitá is one of Salvador’s most charming spots, located next to Monte Serrat Fort on the Itapagipe peninsula. With a privileged view of the Bay of All Saints, the place is especially known for its unforgettable sunsets. In the courtyard overlooking the sea are a church, a convent […]
Sightseeing in Salvador, the capital of Bahia, offers a unique experience that combines history, culture, nature and a rich Afro-Brazilian heritage. Salvador is a true living museum, reflecting Brazil’s rich history and cultural diversity. As a symbol of the miscegenation of creeds and ethnicities, Bahian culture stands out for its […]
Religiosity is a strong characteristic of Salvadorans. This can be exemplified by the 160 churches scattered throughout Salvador da Bahia, tru e 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 […]
The museums in Salvador offer a rich variety of cultural and educational experiences that reflect the diversity and history of Bahia. Highlights of Salvador’s Museums Historical Collections: Exhibitions detailing the city’s history from the colonial period to the present day, including artifacts, documents, and historical objects. Art and Culture: Collections […]
Enjoy Salvador’s parks and squares. Explore the rich variety of green areas and enjoy moments of leisure, culture and relaxation. Green areas and open spaces are a good alternative to explore in the city’s parks to enjoy the atmosphere and your leisure time, as well as enjoying contact with nature, […]
The construction of forts and lighthouses was motivated by the need to protect the city of Salvador and guarantee Portuguese sovereignty over the discovered territory. The choice of location for the city of Salvador also took religious aspects into account. As was said at the time, ‘the higher you built […]
Salvador, the capital of Bahia, is a city rich in history, culture and natural beauty, which makes it a tourist destination full of interesting places to explore. Beautiful beaches? Certainly, Salvador offers stunning beaches, such as Praia do Porto da Barra and Itapuã. But other cities also have beautiful beaches, […]
Salvador, with its rich cultural heritage and vibrant urban life, offers a wide range of tourist attractions that delight children and teenagers. From spaces dedicated to reading and science to parks and interactive museums, the city is a veritable playground for little explorers. If you’re planning a visit to the […]
The beaches of Salvador are much more than just coconut palms, shade and warm waters, they are also steeped in history, fun and leisure. In Salvador there are dozens of churches, forts, museums, lighthouses and shipwrecks among the dozens of attractions that hark back to the early years of Terra […]
The Salvador Carnival is one of the biggest popular festivals in Brazil, very well organized and bringing together more than 2.5 million revellers in the streets of Salvador. “Imagine that, what a crazy mix. Joy, joy is the state we call Bahia. Of all the saints, charms and axé. Sacred […]
Salvador, one of Brazil’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities, presents a wide range of experiences and practices related to prostitution, sex, massage parlours, bars and nightclubs. This scenario is shaped by the city’s diversity and the interaction between its various urban, cultural and social environments. General Context Prostitution in […]
The Church and Convent of São Francisco, built in the 18th century, is one of the richest in Brazil and the most exuberant in Salvador. Some consider it to be the most beautiful example of Portuguese Baroque in the world. Its origins date back to 1686, following a project by […]
Pelourinho is the name of a neighbourhood in the capital of the Brazilian state of Bahia, located in its Historic Centre, which has a preserved Portuguese Baroque colonial architectural complex and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The architectural, landscape and town planning complex contained in the polygonal area of […]
The History of the Founding Salvador da Bahia was born as a strong city, or at least that was what King João III of Portugal wanted, and while it was the capital or Head of Brazil, there was constant concern to defend it. The prominence of the fortifications in the […]
The city of Salvador was founded in 1549 by Tomé de Souza and most of the large buildings were erected after 1624, following the wars against the Dutch. They make up the historic center of the city of Salvador de Bahia. The Historic Center of Salvador is extremely rich in […]
Diogo Álvares Correia, better known as Caramuru, is a central figure in the secret history of Salvador de Bahia. There are historical fragments hidden in the heart of the city. They are hidden stories that sleep before our eyes, on street corners, in squares and in urban monuments. The city […]
The Church of São Pedro dos Clérigos, located in the historic centre of Salvador, is a masterpiece of Brazilian colonial baroque, built between 1709 and 1733. Erected by the Brotherhood of St Peter of the Clerics, formed by members of the secular clergy, the church was designed to meet the […]
Salvador, Brazil’s first capital, is a city marked by its rich history, vibrant culture and impressive architecture. Salvador’s sights and architectural heritage reflect the diversity of influences that have shaped the city over the centuries, from Portuguese colonisation to Afro-Brazilian heritage. Salvador has countless sights, an architectural heritage, attractions such […]
The Senhor do Bonfim ribbons are amulets of faith and tradition that have a long and rich history, especially associated with the city of Salvador, Bahia, and the Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim. The Senhor do Bonfim ribbons are known for their vibrant colours and for the practice of […]
Nosso Senhor do Bonfim Church isn’t the most beautiful, but it’s certainly the most famous in Salvador because of the traditional ‘Lavagem do Bonfim’, a celebration marked by Bahian women throwing water on the steps of the church in an all-day party animated by afoxé groups. Dorival Caymmi sang in […]
Carlos Julião, a military engineer and draughtsman of Italian origin in the service of the Portuguese crown, never lived or settled in Brazil. He
Jews in colonial Brazil faced a complex and often difficult situation. During the colonial period, Brazil was a Portuguese colony and the Inquisition
The Catedral Basílica de Salvador is one of the most important sacred buildings from Colonial Brazil. A testament to the history and Catholicism in
The Nossa Senhora de Monte Serrat Fort, located in the city of Salvador, Bahia, is one of the most iconic and well-preserved examples of colonial
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