Source: Julia Rubinic
Salvador is the capital of Bahia, Brazil. It is the largest city proper in the Northeast Region after Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro with 2.9 million people as of 2013.
1. Sao Francisco Church and Covent
Visiting churches might be the last thing in your mind when in a vacation but Sao Francisco Church and Covent is surely worth a visit. The interior and exterior design of the entire architecture is very magnificent with a very high historical value.
Information
- Name:Sao Francisco Church and Covent
- Address: Praca Anchieta, Salvador, State of Bahia 40020-280, Brazil
- Acess: 10 minutes away from Pelourinho
- Price: $5USD
- Phone: +55 71 3322 6430
- Opening hours:Sun 13:00 – 17:00 Mon 8:30 – 17:30
Tue 9:00 – 14:30
Wed – Sat 9:00 – 17:30
2. Nosso Senhor do Bonfim church
Nosso Senhor do Bonfim church is another church in Salvador that you should really pay a visit. It is historically rich and is very well-preserved as well. There is also a miracle room wherein you can pray anything in there which is really great.
Information
- Name: Nosso Senhor do Bonfim church
- Address:Praca Senhor do Bonfim, s/n | Igreja Do Sr. Do Bonfim, Salvador, State of Bahia 40425-360, Brazil
- Acess: 10 minutes away from Sister Dulce memorial
- Price: Free
- Phone:(71) 3316-2196
- Opening hours:Sun 5:30 – 18:00
Mon 8:00 – 18:00
Tue – Thu 6:30 – 18:00
Fri 5:30 – 18:00
Sat 6:30 – 18:00- Website:http://santuariosenhordobonfim.com/#_=_
3. Get away from the city and have a swim at Farol da Barra Beach
Get away from the busy city and walk around, sunbathe or have a swim at Farol da Barra Beach. It is a fine beach with a lot of good restaurants nearby. You might want to visit during summer because on winter it can be really windy and cold in this area.
Information
- Name:Farol da Barra Beach
- Address:Avenida Oceania | Barra, Salvador, State of Bahia, Brazil
- Acess: 10 minutes away from Porto da Barra
- Price: Free
- Opening hours: Open all the time
- Website:http://bahia.com.br/atracao/farol-da-barra-forte-de-santo-antonio-da-barra/#_=_
4. Enjoy the tropical paradise of Ilha dos Frades
Ilha dos Frades is not just a simple beach but it has a lot of trees and places to walk around and enjoy the view. It is also a good place to just relax and get away from the busy city. The place is really clean and well maintained too. Sometimes the beach can get crowded but not too much.
Information
- Name:Ilha dos Frades
- Address:Todos os Santos Bay, Salvador, State of Bahia, Brazil
- Acess: 15 minutes away from Santo Antonio Alem do Carmo church
- Price:Free
- Phone: 557121324450
- Opening hours: Open all the time
- Website:http://www.luizguia.com.br/#_=_
5. MAM Museu de Arte Moderna
MAM Museu de Arte Moderna is a museum at the side of the beach. You can stroll around the museums to learn more about the history of Salvador, Brazil but at the same time, the museum is also a great place to watch sunsets with.
Information
- Name:Museu de Arte Moderna
- Address:Avenida do Contorno | Solar do Unhão, Salvador, State of Bahia 40060-060, Brazil
- Acess: 16 minutes away from Sao Bento monastery
- Price: $8-$10USD
- Phone:+55 71 3117 6139
- Opening hours:Tue – Fri 13:00 – 19:00
- Website:http://bahiamam.org/#_=_
6. Walk around Pelourinho
Enjoy the historical structures and ambiance in Pelourinho. As you walk around you will feel like you are walking or living in the past because of how old and ancient the structures around are. It is a really great way to explore around Salvador. You will be able to see a lot of cafes and restaurants too just in case you want to grab something to eat.
7. Sunset at Porto da Barra
Make your visit to Salvador an extraordinary one by experiencing the sunset at Porto da Barra. You can also come here earlier so that you can swim around or sunbathe for a little while, either way, the views will surely leave you amazed and in love with this city.
8. Watch the Olodum
Olodum is a carnival in Salvador where there are drumming bands, a wide selection of food, clothing, souvenirs that you might want to buy during this carnival. It is very loud and crowded yet you will surely have fun. Make sure to bring your camera to capture these precious moments.
9. Santo Antonio da Barra fort and Nautic Museum
If you love cultural things then Santo Antonio da Barra fort and Nautic Museum should be on the top of your list. There are a lot ancient arts and crafts in this museum particularly the remains of the things relating to nautical from the past.
Information
- Name:Santo Antonio da Barra fort and Nautic Museum
- Address: Largo do Farol da Barra, s/n | Barra, Salvador, State of Bahia 40140-650, Brazil
- Acess: 10 minutes away from Farol da Barra Beach
- Price: $5-$10USD
- Phone:(71) 3264-3296
- Opening hours:Tue-Sun 8.30am-7pm
- Website:http://www.museunauticodabahia.org.br/#_=_
10. Visit Barra Lighthouse
Barra Lighthouse is an old fort that has been converted into a museum. At the top of the lighthouse, you will be able to see a fantastic view of the coastline and the surrounding beaches. There are even tour guides to give you more information.
Information
- Name:Barra Lighthouse
- Address:Largo do Farol da Barra | Barra, Salvador, State of Bahia 40140-650, Brazil
- Acess: 15 minutes away from Farol da Barra Beach
- Price: $5-$10
- Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm
- Website:http://www.museunauticodabahia.org.br/#_=_
11. Do some shopping around town
Of course, you wouldn’t want to forget shopping because we all do that when we are in a vacation to buy something that will remind us of the place. Well, you wouldn’t have a problem with that here in Salvador because there are shopping malls everywhere in the city and as you walk around the streets, you will be able to find a lot of stall selling local products and souvenirs.
12. Fundacao Casa de Jorge Amado
One of the most famous landmarks in Salvador is Fundacao Casa de Jorge Amado. The structure is very ancient and well-preserved. You will be able to see a lot of Amado’s work in the past as well as the collection of letters, photos and tribute to his writings.
Information
- Name:Fundacao Casa de Jorge Amado
- Address:Largo do Pelourinho, s/n | Proximo Ao Excelente Restaurante Escola Do Senac, Salvador, State of Bahia 40026-280, Brazil
- Acess: 18 minutes away from Sao Francisco Church and Covent
- Price: $5-$10 USD
- Phone:+55 71-3321-0122
- Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm
- Website:http://www.jorgeamado.org.br/?lang=en#_=_
13. Basilica Cathedral
Basilica Cathedral is another famous church in Salvador wherein the interior is full of amazing paintings. The church can be really crowded sometimes but it surely worth a visit. As soon as you walk through the door, you will be awed by what you are going to see.
Information
- Name:Basilica Cathedral
- Address:Praca XV, s/n – Terreiro de Jesus | Centro, Salvador, State of Bahia, Brazil
- Acess: 16 minutes away from Sao Francisco Church and Covent
- Price: Free
- Phone:(71) 3321-4573
- Opening hours:Daily 8:30am-5pm
14. Stroll around Praca Terreiro de Jesus
Salvador is a really historically rich city and most of the streets have an old or ancient ambiance in it especially Praca Terreiro de Jesus. In this area, you will be able to see a lot of old things but then it is very beautiful to walk around here at night as the city just becomes lively and very well lit.
15. Rio Branco Palace
Rio Branco Palace is an ancient restored government building in Salvador that is very famous with tourist and locals at the same time. The building is available to the public with its art exhibits and other art-related events throughout the year.
Information
- Name:Rio Branco Palace
- Address:Praca Tome de Sousa, Salvador, State of Bahia, Brazil
- Acess: 5 minutes away from A Cubana Sorvetes
- Price:$5-$8USD
- Phone:(71)3321-0204
- Opening hours:Mon 2pm-6pm, Tue-Fri 9am-6pm
Have a good trip and travel!
