Salvador

Travel Guide
Pelourinho showing a house and street scenes
This energetic coastal city has a grandiose old town, superb art museums, pristine beaches and glitzy festivals, which celebrate its Afro-Brazilian roots.

Spread over cliffs on Brazil’s central-eastern coastline, Salvador (officially Salvador de Bahía) is a city with a magnificent setting combined with an exciting, energetic atmosphere. Explore a picture-perfect historic center, visit eclectic art galleries, relax at beach suburbs and be part of flamboyant festivals. Founded by the Portuguese in 1549, Salvador was Brazil’s capital for over 200 years. Today, it’s the spiritual home of the country’s Afro-Brazilian culture.

Start your visit in the UNESCO-protected Historic Center, which is laden with colorful colonial mansions and African and Amerindian-influenced architecture. At its heart is Pelourinho, a district dominated by 17th- and 18th-century churches. Among these are Our Lady of the Rosary of Black People and São Francisco Church and Convent of Salvador.

Admire the Cathedral of Salvador, browse artisan stalls and watch capoeira performers at the architecturally impressive Terreiro de Jesus square. Find over 200 handicraft shops and sample typical Bahía cuisine, such as acarajé (spiced beans deep fried in palm oil), at Mercado Modelo.

Art lovers are spoiled for choice at Salvador’s galleries and museums. Make time for the Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Sacred Art and Museum of Street Art of Salvador. Learn about Brazil’s close ties with African traditions at the Afro-Brazilian Museum.

Miles of beautiful beaches run around the coastline. Much of this is connected by a waterfront promenade. Popular spots include Farol da Barra Beach and Porto da Barra Beach in the neighborhood of Barra, where you’ll find a busy nightlife scene. Catch a boat to the tropical islands of Ilha de Itaparica and Ilha dos Frades.

Be sure to spend some time in the city’s parks. Parque Costa Azul and Parque Metropolitano de Pituaçu are just a 30-minute drive from the city center. Attend a soccer match or concert at Fonte Nova Stadium.

Reach Salvador by flying to Salvador-Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport. Get around Salvador’s Historic Center on foot and use the metro and public buses to access areas outside of here. Consistently mild temperatures make Salvador a year-round destination. Come in early December for the National Samba Day and stay until February or March for the extravagant Salvador Carnival.

Where to stay in Salvador

Farol da Barra Beach which includes a sunset, general coastal views and a coastal town

Barra

5/5(2 area reviews)

Barra is popular for its beaches, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Barra Shopping Mall or Farol da Barra Beach.

Barra
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Rio Vermelho

5/5(1 area review)

Unique features of Rio Vermelho include the beaches and restaurants. Make a stop by Paciencia Beach or Rio Vermelho Beach while you're exploring the area.

Rio Vermelho
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Guarajuba

You'll enjoy the beaches and restaurants in Guarajuba. You might want to make time for a stop at Guarajuba Beach or Genipabu Beach.

Guarajuba
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Ondina

Ondina is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Ondina Beach and Salvador Zoo.

Ondina
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Stella Maris

Beaches and restaurants are notable features of Stella Maris. You might consider a stop by Stella Maris Beach while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Stella Maris
A man fishing in Itapuã,

#waterlust.

Itapuã

Unique features of Itapuã include the beaches and gardens. Make a stop by Itapuã Beach or Stella Maris Beach while you're exploring the area.

Itapuã
Wish Hotel da Bahia
Wish Hotel da Bahia
5 out of 5
Avenida Sete de Setembro, 1537, Salvador, Bahia
The price is CA $112 per night from Apr. 28 to Apr. 29
CA $112
CA $117 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 28 - Apr 29
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Salvador. Enjoy free breakfast, 2 outdoor pools, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Outstanding customer service throughout hotel!!"

Reviewed on Mar. 20, 2024

Wish Hotel da Bahia
Rede Andrade Riviera Premium
Rede Andrade Riviera Premium
3 out of 5
Av. Amaralina, 885, Amaralina, Salvador, BA
The price is CA $41 per night from Apr. 1 to Apr. 2
CA $41
CA $43 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Salvador. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
6.6/10 (1,018 reviews)
"Very dirty hotel the staff who work in the hotel are not polite the hotel was robbed some rooms and taking all the customers belongings and when I went to talk to the receptionist about this matter she spoke to me if it happened to me that I had to look for a police station to make an occurrence ..."

Reviewed on Feb. 28, 2023

Rede Andrade Riviera Premium
Rede Andrade Barra
Rede Andrade Barra
3 out of 5
Avenida Sete De Setembro 3577 - Porto Da, Salvador, BA
The price is CA $60 per night from Apr. 1 to Apr. 2
CA $60
CA $63 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Salvador. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall value in ...
6.8/10 (1,025 reviews)
"Everything was fine"

Reviewed on Jun. 15, 2023

Rede Andrade Barra
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Iguatemi Business & Flat by Avectur
Iguatemi Business & Flat by Avectur
3.5 out of 5
Rua da Alfazema, 761, Caminho das Árvores, Salvador, BA
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Salvador. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (312 reviews)
"friendly staff"

Reviewed on Feb. 4, 2023

Iguatemi Business & Flat by Avectur
Salvador Business & Flat by Avectur
Salvador Business & Flat by Avectur
3.5 out of 5
Rua Alceu Amoroso Lima 440, Caminho das Árvores, Salvador, BA
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Salvador. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Salvador Shopping Mall ...
7.8/10 Good! (283 reviews)
"Elevators are slow and hotel is outdated .........."

Reviewed on Jan. 31, 2021

Salvador Business & Flat by Avectur
Villagem de Praia Pé Na Areia
Villagem de Praia Pé Na Areia
3 out of 5
Alameda Mar Del Plata, Salvador, BA
Stay at this 3-star vacation home in Salvador. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and in-room massages. Popular attractions Flamengo Beach and Parque das Dunas are ...
Villagem de Praia Pé Na Areia
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Salvador

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
5
" "5 - Excellent 62.5%
4 - Good
1
" "4 - Good 12.5%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 25%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Oct. 2, 2019

I have taken a walking tour with an English speaking guide and had an excellent time,we visited an African museum as well as a cooking institution where the African cooking is revived. I two museums I was assigned a personnel guide.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Jun. 10, 2019

A great city with interesting, historic places to see, magnificent religious architecture, good food choices, and wonderful, happy people. During our visit, the weather was great. Overall, a most pleasant visit to one of the nicest places in Brazil.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Mar. 2, 2019

We'd heard all the safety warnings, so stuck to the well lit tourist areas, with lots of police. We didn't have any problems, but you need to be vigilant.

Cities near Salvador