Salvador da Bahia Travelers Recommend

If Rio de Janeiro is Brazil’s golden, glamorous face, and the Amazon its exotic, mysterious heart, then Salvador da Bahia is its irrepressibly joyful soul. Famous for its wild festivals (Salvador’s Carnaval gives Rio’s a run for its money) and friendly, fun-loving people, this colorful colonial city is alive with music and history.

Ready for some sizzling beats in the tropical heat? From impromptu street parties to folkloric festivals, music pervades Salvador, while its sun-drenched beaches are legendary. Add beautiful buildings and a fascinating Afro-Brazilian culture, and you’ll be hooked.

Day 1: Historic Salvador Set on an enormous bay (Baía de Todos os Santos), Salvador is divided into High and Low Cities (Cidades Alta and Baixa respectively). Cidade Alta is home to the historic center – a riotous labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets, brightly painted Baroque buildings, art galleries, museums, music workshops, eateries and bars. Imagine times gone by as you admire landmarks like the Praça da Sé, Rio Branco Palace, Terreiro de Jesus, and 16th-century Forte de Santo Antônio. Hitch a ride in the Elevador Lacerda – an incredible Art Deco elevator that transports over 50,000 people per day – to reach Mercado Modelo in Cidade Baixa. This famous market is bursting with exquisite local crafts and souvenirs. Ready to party? Have a blast while learning about Bahía’s unique Afro-Brazilian culture at an exuberant folkloric show.

Day 2: Bayside Beach Bonanza Salvador boasts over 30 miles (50km) of fabulous, clean beaches. From calm inlets perfect for swimming and diving, to popular surf beaches, you’ll never be short of a sandy spot to lay your towel. Tourists generally head to Porto de Barra, Flamengo and Stella Maris; if you’d prefer to splash about with the locals, Jaguaribe, Piatã and Itapoã are your best bets. Alternatively, a relaxing schooner cruise around the bay will take you to beaches beyond your wildest desert-island dreams!

Day 3: Day-Tripping Delights Day-tripping opportunities abound around Salvador. Accessible only by boat or charter plane, Morro do São Paulo is an idyllic village on Tinharé Island. Though extremely popular with local and international tourists, it retains an irresistibly laid-back vibe. Laze on the beach, dive the translucent waters, or explore its walking trails. Just 44 miles (70km) from Salvador is Praia do Forte, a seaside paradise nicknamed the ‘Brazilian Polynesia’. Besides its divine beaches, Praia do Forte is renowned for its sea turtle conservation program, the Tamar Project. All beached-out? Soak up the history in Cachoeira, a World Heritage-listed town with beautifully preserved Baroque buildings and informative museums.

The capital of the Brazilian state of Bahia is the place to go for sizzling beats, impromptu street parties, and sun-drenched beaches. Add visits to beautiful colonial buildings and a hefty dose of Afro-Brazilian culture, and you’ve got the perfect Brazilian vacation. Here’s how to maximize two days in Salvador da Bahia.

Day 1: Essential Salvador

**Morning:**To get your bearings in the vast city of Salvador, take a sightseeing tour that ranges from the coastline to the historic center. Take a walking tour around the oldest parts of the city get an overview of local landmarks and monuments, then head to the beaches in Barra or Rio Vermelho to see how Bahians spend their leisure time. 

**Afternoon:**In the afternoon, dive into one of the city’s many cultural traditions, from samba and capoeira to candomblé. Move to the percussive rhythms of Brazil’s well-known music, learn martial art movements adopted by enslaved inhabitants centuries ago, or observe a religious ceremony that uses music and dance in the worship of local orixás (deities). 

**Night:**Devote the evening to strolling through the pedestrian streets of Pelourinho, a UNESCO-listed district of colonial churches and mansions (called Pelo by locals), then sip a caipirinha or enjoy live entertainment at the outdoor cafes in the city’s squares.

Day 2: Marine Life

**Morning:**Start your day with a taste of Bahia’s African-influenced cuisine. Try feijoada, Brazil’s national dish, at a homestyle restaurant in the city’s outskirts, or take an immersive cooking class and learn the art of making moqueca, a seafood stew, and other regional specialties.

**Afternoon:**Enjoy a cruise around Baía de Todos os Santos, or All Saints’ Bay. A full-day excursion lets you linger at islands like Itaparica and Frades Island (Ilha dos Frades), while a shorter trip includes landmarks around the harbor.

**Night:**Returning to port in the Lower City (Cidade Baixa), browse through the Mercado Modelo, a great place to find handcrafted souvenirs. Then ride the Lacerda Elevator to the Upper City (Cidade Alta) for sunset views of the harbor. Lastly, head back to nearby Pelo for a last chance to enjoy the city’s nightlife.  

If Rio de Janeiro is Brazil’s glamorous face, and the Amazon its heart, then Salvador da Bahía is its irrepressible soul. Famous for its festivals and fun-loving people, this coastal city is a showcase of the country’s Afro-Brazilian culture, music, cuisine, and colonial history. Here’s how to spend one day in Salvador da Bahia.

Morning: Beaches, Churches, and More

From the beachside neighborhood of Barra to the UNESCO-listed historic center, there’s much to see in Salvador da Bahia. Start your day with a bus, car, or walking tour to get oriented and see highlights like the art-deco Lacerda Elevator, which connects the upper and lower parts of the old city. Snap photos under the Lighthouse of Praia da Barra; explore the colonial palaces and gilded churches of Pelourinho; visit sites like Tororó Dike and Ribeira Beach; and browse the handicrafts at the Mercado Modelo.

Afternoon: Cooking, Capoeira, and Candomblé

In the afternoon, take a deeper dive into Salvador’s culture. Head to the Afro-Brasileiro Museum (MAFRO) to learn about Bahia’s historical roots, which date back to Brazil’s 16th-century slave trade, and visit the Candomblé exhibit to learn about local religious practices. Shop at the open-air São Joaquim market, which was originally founded by slaves, or head to the beach where an orixá, or deity, is celebrated in annual ceremonies at the sea. If you’d prefer not to be a spectator, consider taking a cultural workshop: learn some capoeira or try your hand at preparing traditional recipes in a cooking class.

Night: Soulful or Saintly

The cobbled streets of Pelourinho—the historic city center called Pelo by locals—are the place to be at night. Have a guide take you to the hotspots, including bars where you can taste a caipirinha and buffet-style dinners featuring Bahian cuisine, then enjoy a folkloric performance that showcase samba and other Brazilian dance forms. Head to the city’s main squares to enjoy nightly performances by local musicians, or, for a quieter alternative, cap off the day with a sunset cruise on All Saints’ Bay (Baía de Todos os Santos) and views of São Marcelo Fort and the city skyline.