Agreste de Pernambuco

Tourist attractions in Agreste de Pernambuco

Agreste de Pernambuco is a region rich in tourist attractions, combining natural beauty, cultural traditions and festive events.

Below are the main tourist attractions and activities that visitors can enjoy in the region:

1. Caruaru

  • Feira de Caruaru: One of the largest open-air fairs in Latin America, where visitors can find a wide range of products, from handicrafts to food.
  • São João de Caruaru: Considered one of the biggest and most traditional June festivals in Brazil, with lots of music, dancing, typical food and quadrilhas.

2. Garanhuns

  • Garanhuns Winter Festival: One of the most important cultural events in the country, held in July, with a varied programme of shows, theatre, exhibitions and other cultural activities.
  • Ruber van der Linden Park (Euclides Dourado Park): An ideal place for walks and picnics, with a large green area and various species of plants.

3. Gravatá

  • A pleasant climate: Famous for its mild climate, Gravatá is a popular destination for those seeking relaxation and tranquillity.
  • Fazendas and Fazenda Hotels: They offer rural tourism experiences such as horse riding, ecological walks and tasting of local products.

4. Bezerros

  • Carnaval dos Papangus: One of the most traditional carnivals in Agreste, where revelers wear masks and costumes called“Papangus“.
  • Woodcut Art: The city is famous for its artists who work with woodcuts, a technique of printing on wood.

5. Santa Cruz do Capibaribe

  • Santa Cruz Fashion Centre: One of the largest clothing wholesale centres in Brazil, attracting buyers from all over the country.

6. Brejo da Madre de Deus

  • Nova Jerusalem: The largest open-air theatre in the world, the main attraction during Easter with the performance of the Passion of Christ.
  • Serra da Prata: Mountainous formation with trails, waterfalls and panoramic views, ideal for ecotourism.
  • Igreja Matriz de São José: An important historical and religious monument with colonial architecture.
  • Nilo Coelho Monumental Sculpture Park: An open-air space with sculptures made by local artists, integrating art and nature.

7. Gastronomy

  • Typical food: Visitors can enjoy dishes from the Northeast, such as carne de sol, queijo coalho, tapioca, pamonha and various recipes with maize and manioc.
  • Restaurants and Markets: Cities have a wide variety of places to sample and buy local products.

8. Festivals and events

  • São João: Celebrated in various towns in Agreste, with bonfires, quadrilles, music and dancing.
  • Cultural events: Various festivals throughout the year highlight music, dance, handicrafts and other local traditions.
  • The Passion of Christ in New Jerusalem: A spectacle performed during Easter Week, with the participation of renowned actors from national television and cinema, attracting thousands of visitors from Brazil and abroad.

Geography and climate

Agreste de Pernambuco is a sub-region of the state of Pernambuco, located between the Zona da Mata to the east and the Sertão to the west.

It is characterised by its transitional climate and its mountainous landscape.

Main features

  • Location: Between the Zona da Mata (humid) and the Sertão (semi-arid).
  • Topography: Predominantly mountainous, with small hills.
  • Climate: Semi-arid, but milder than the Sertão, with a better defined rainy season.