Salvador is the capital of the state of Bahia, Brazil. With a charming Old Town (a World Heritage Site), a vibrant musical scene and popular Carnaval celebrations, it is considered one of the birthplaces of Brazilian culture. Salvador is an enchanting city full of mysteries and charms. There are millions of tourists every year flocking to Salvador to enjoy its beaches. Parts are best explored on foot, such as dense historical areas including the Pelourinho and the Lacerda Lift, the first urban lift in the world, and the Mercado Central.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
It is the biggest city in the Northeast region, and was the first capital of Brazil. Founded in 1549 by the Portuguese, Salvador was the capital in the heyday of the slave trade. The legacy is found in its large Afro-Brazilian population, and the resulting culture in many ways outshines the rest of Brazil; in music, many of the greatest names from the mid-20th century to the present hail from Salvador, such as Dorival Caymmi, Gilberto Gil, and Caetano Veloso. In literature, the late Jorge Amado was also from the region.
There are a number of transportation options available in Salvador, including taxis, buses and car rentals. the bus fares are quite affordable, although the taxi fares can be quite expensive if one is traveling a long distance. The old city center can be easily explored on foot. To get between the upper and lower sections, take the Elevador Lacerda or the cable car, remember to take small change as the fare is just R$0.15. The streets between the two are considered dangerous even during the day. City buses, as in other Brazilian cities, are constant and confusing. Fares are normally R$3.70, as of July 2018 (even for buses into the neighboring city of Lauro de Freitas).
1 Igreja de São Francisco, Largo do Cruzeiro de São Francisco, ☏ +55 71 3322 6430. One of the most important churches in barroco style around the world. At the center of the Cidade Alta there are the two large squares Praça da Sé and the Terreiro de Jesus which are connected at the corner by the cathedral. The latter is probably the most lively part of town, with food carts and stalls through the day and revealers in the evening hours. 2 Museu Afro-Brasileiro. M-F 09:00-18:00, Sa Su 10:00-17:00. A museum that documents the slave trade and subsequent development of the city. R$ 5. 3 Largo do Pelourinho. A fairly small triangular plaza, is among the oldest parts of town.
You'll find a huge variety of things to do in Salvador. Some of the popular activities include: Day tour of Salvador - Salvador 500 years in 1 day (info: salvador-guide.basix.cc) Salvador Parks Salvador golf courses Salvador music festivals Surf trips Participate at a Candomblé ceremony. Candomblé is an Afro-Brazilian religion that originated in Salvador and still has a significant following in Brazil. Their places of cult are called terreiros and many are open to visit. You can ask at FENACAB (Nacional de Culto Afro Brasileiro). They organise visits with a taxi for 100 Reais and have an office in Rua Portas do Carmo, 39 – 1º andar (antiga Alfredo de Brito) – Pelourinho +55 71 3321 1548.
Bahian restaurants are considered to be among the best in Brazil. The majority of Bahia restaurants offer South American cuisine but there a few that offer other specialties. For example, the Maria Mato Mouro located at Rua 3A Ordem de São Francisco, Pelourinho serves a wide range of seafood dishes from all over the world although most are from South America. One of the most popular dishes is the grilled bahia fish badejo. This restaurant is open daily from noon until 1AM and offers main courses from $15 to $25. The Terreiro de Jesus is a great place to sample the local cuisine from street stalls, served by Afro-Brazilian baianas in their traditional white dresses.
Be aware of bars charging an entrance fee on exit.If you want top make sure that there is no cover ask when ordering the first drink. Bar da Ponta, beside the Trapiche Adelaide. A place to see and be seen, drink, and have a fantastic view of the bay. Beco dos Artistas, near Campo Grande. One of the gay and lesbian areas of the city, with a diversified crowd. Friday and Saturday nights only. The area has various bars and a restaurant (the nightclub is now closed). Aim to get there around 22:00, as it starts to empty around midnight as people move onto other clubs. Bohemia Music Bar, Jardim Brasil. The comfortable atmosphere, live music, and a varied menu make this a popular pick-up spot.
The situation of the shanty towns of Greater Salvador is similar to that of the Greater Rio's favelas. As in Rio, these areas in Salvador are not permanently occupied by the police. These conflicts are restricted to the slums of the Salvador metropolitan area and do not affect tourist areas of the city. A high degree of caution is recommended when visiting one of the several tourist attractions spread across the city, since Salvador has one of the highest street crime rates in Brazil. Due to high social inequality, Salvador is notorious for street crime, and for a tourist that wanders carelessly in the streets, the likelihood of a mugging or armed robbery is considerably higher than in São P…
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Salvador typically sees ~25°C daytime highs and 26 rainy days.
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