One of the most beautiful and attractive cities in Brazil opens its doors to show you all the places to visit in San Salvador de Bahia. We have no doubts that you will be enchanted by this city and that you will live an unforgettable stay without getting bored for a single day. For something it is known for being the Capital of Happiness, right?
What should you know about San Salvador de Bahía?
Before starting to describe everything you can visit in San Salvador de Bahía, it seems important to us that you know a little about its main characteristics.
This beautiful city is the capital of the state of Bahia and the first capital of Colonial Brazil. In addition, it is known because it boasts of having the best carnival in the whole country … which is summed up, then, that they own the best carnival in the world .
Salvador has numerous beaches along the entire Atlantic coast and Bahía de Todos los Santos, which attract both its local inhabitants and its visitors, especially due to the pleasant temperature of the water. & nbsp;
Almost all the beaches have restaurants better known as “chiringuitos” , where seafood is prepared and cold beer is served, among other drinks . But if eating seafood is not your thing, you can also find “bahianas” stalls to try the acarajé , a bean fritter fried in palm oil that is part of typical Afro-Brazilian foods.
Regarding the climate, Salvador stands out for being the owner of a warm climate and for sustaining a relatively high humidity level throughout the year. However, for the tranquility of many, the city does not suffer extreme temperatures due to the proximity of the ocean and the winds that blow from it. Of course, rainfall is quite abundant especially in the winter month, reaching a total annual average of 201 cm.
Now yes: we leave you below everything you can visit in San Salvador de Bahia, let’s get started!
What can you visit in San Salvador de Bahía?
Pelourinho
One of the first places you can visit in San Salvador de Bahía is the historical and cultural center of the city. In 1985 it was declared Historical Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, and there you can find the most beautiful and well-maintained set of colonial buildings from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in Latin America.
As you walk through its cobbled streets, you will feel how the old capital lived, which at that time was baptized with a name that remains to this day: Upper Town . It was so called because it is 85 meters above sea level, and also because it used to be the seat of government powers and the residences of high society.
Barra’s Lighthouse
And if we talk about historical heritages , we cannot fail to mention the Barra Lighthouse, a 22-meter-high monument that was built in the 19th century with the aim of guiding ships to Bay.
Inside there are spiral staircases that lead to its large bronze lantern: its lights turn on every night and turn off at dawn.
Thanks to its cultural and historical wealth , this beautiful monument reminiscent of the Barra de Portugal lighthouse is one of the best places you can visit in San Salvador de Bahia.
If you want to visit it, you can do it from Tuesday to Sunday, we promise you will not regret it, Salvador de Bahía looks like a postcard from the top of the lighthouse.
Lacerda Elevator
If you like architecture, the Lacerda elevator should be on your list of destinations to visit in San Salvador de Bahía.
Built in the 19th century by the engineer Augusto de Lacerda with the aim of uniting the Upper Town with the Lower Town of the city, this 72-meter-high structure Height has managed to become one of the architectural symbols of San Salvador de Bahía and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.
The work is strategically located on Cayrú beach , in the Comercio neighborhood, and is made up of two towers that are located in Ciudad Alta and Ciudad Baja, respectively. From the top of the elevator you will get an enviable view of the bay and the Mercado Modelo.
Model Market
If you have listened to us and have noted the Lacerda elevator in your travel itinerary, we ask that you trust us once more and that, when you get off, go to Plaza Cayrú to walk in the Mercado Modelo. Here the artistic and cultural creations of Bahia are housed such as handicrafts, footwear, clothing, necklaces and amulets.
So if you want to buy a souvenir of your trip , this beautiful house is the ideal place, we have no doubts that it is one of the best places you can visit in San Salvador de Bahía.
In addition, in the upper part of the market you can find houses of food to taste traditional dishes and drinks, while in the lower part you can see some catacombs that were used during colonial times by slaves.
A curious and somewhat terrifying detail: the inhabitants of the area say that during the nights they hear screams and the dragging of the chains on the floor, do you dare to find out for yourself?
Fort of San Marcelo
After your walk through the Mercado Modelo, you may come across a terminal whose destination is the Fort of San Marcelo, also known as the Fort of San Onofre. If you have the possibility of embarking to meet it, you will not regret it. Without a doubt, this imposing structure located more than 200 meters from the Bahian coast is part of the list of places to visit in San Salvador de Bahía for multiple reasons.
The huge building stands on a reef bank , and was built with the aim of serving as a military fortress to repel enemy ships.
Currently, its rooms were remodeled and converted into modern rooms to exhibit three memorials called Memories of the Fort , Memories of the Sea and Memories of the City. In addition, inside the fort you can see photographs of the city that were taken during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.
6. Balé Folclórico da Bahia
As we said before, this magnificent city is known as the Capital of Joy , and we couldn’t agree more with this definition. One of the places that you really must visit in Salvador de Bahía to understand why this city is so loved by all who have visited it, is the Miguel Santana Theater, in the Pelourihno neighborhood ( Yes, the first destination we recommend!).
In this mythical theater, the Balé Folclórico da Bahia is presented from Monday to Saturday since 1995, with the aim of claiming the cultural wealth of the people through African rituals and artistic movements of capoeira. This dance group is recognized worldwide thanks to its performances and the authenticity of its manifestations.
If you wonder what is the first thing you should visit in San Salvador de Bahía, it is definitely the Balé Folclórico da Bahia, we promise that you will live an unforgettable experience.
Bahian churches
This beautiful city is also considered the City of Churches . It bears this nickname because there are more than 350 churches throughout Salvador de Bahia. In fact, in the old town area there is literally a church for every street or corner. Impressive, right?
Of all these impressive structures, there are two that should be part of your list of places to visit in San Salvador de Bahía: the Iglesia de Nosso Senhor do Bonfim and the Convent of San Francisco.
On the one hand, the Nosso Senhor do Bonfim temple has a neoclassical style and is a symbol of syncretism between the Catholic and African religions.
On the other hand, the San Francisco Convent is characterized by being the most popular and the greatest tradition of the entire Bahian people. In addition, its interior was carved with wood and gold coating: this material is so impressive in its structure, that the structure was nominated to become one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Borracharia
If you like to party and dance until your feet don’t hit you anymore, Borracharia has to be on your list of places to visit in San Salvador de Bahía.
This place is located in Conselheiro Pedro Luiz, local 101, within the Barrio Vermelho, and during the day it works as a business for the sale of rubber. But at night it becomes one of the most interesting alternative places preferred by travelers.
Perhaps it is so because of its decoration of sculptures and paintings, or because of the cold beer and its music played by fabulous DJs known within the Brazilian electronic scene. Or maybe it’s because it stays open until 5:30 am and that makes it the favorite place for residents and party-goers.
For whatever reason, Borracharia is incredible and we have no doubt that you will have a great time if you decide to give it a try.
