Where the past meets the present by the sea. Experience the historic charm and spectacular beauty of Brazil’s first capital.
Salvador is recognized for being the center of Afro-Brazilian culture and this aspect is reflected in every corner of the city, in the cuisine and rhythms of this unique place, which was the first Brazilian capital. Main city and capital of the state of Bahia, in Salvador you will find secular traces in the memory of a country in formation and a pulsating present that unites African heritage and modernity, in the blackest city outside the African continent.
Fun facts
Salvador, the blackest city outside of Africa, is considered the center of Afro-Brazilian culture in Brazil.
The Lacerda elevator was the first urban elevator in the world.
The craft of the Bahian acarajé and capoeira are Brazilian cultural heritage.
Afro-Brazilian culture and appreciation of heritage.
Culture is effervescent in this city. In particular, the appreciation of the Afro-Brazilian population, praising their roots, is seen in various cultural events in the most party-loving city in the country. Carnaval, the biggest street party in the world, takes over the city’s streets during the month of February. The afro blocks, Carnaval groups that parade their African heritage during this period, attract thousands of people to the streets, as well as the electric trios that feature great artists of Brazilian music, notably Axé, a Bahian rhythm that mixes the modernity of the electric guitar with the drumming of the terreiros. More recently, major festivals that value black culture such as Afropunk and the Salvador Capital Afro Festival have also started to take place in the city, bringing a touch of modernity to this city of traditions and roots.
The history of Brazil is directly linked to Salvador. Especially in the Historic Center, in the Pelourinho neighborhood, considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There you will see old mansions from the colonial period taken over by a pulsating vision of Afro-Brazilian culture. Crafts, fashion, and gastronomy occupy the place bringing life to this landmark of the past. Close to the center is the Lacerda elevator, a symbol of the city, from where you will have a panoramic view of the Baía de Todos os Santos, which borders part of its coast. On the way from Pelourinho to Elevador, you can still be enchanted by the capoeira circles that take over the squares.
A variety of museums that tell this story record the importance of Salvador for national culture. MUNCAB, Museum of Afro-Brazilian Culture, presents reflections of the connection between Brazil and Africa, the result of the diaspora. The Casa do Carnaval Museum presents exhibitions and materials that tell how the biggest popular festival in the country came to be. While the Misericórdia Museum tells the history of the city, with a collection that dates back to the period when Salvador was the capital of colonized Brazil, and the Gastronomy Museum, located in the last ruin of the Salvador Wall, recovers the history of Bahian cuisine and its
Religion and history are connected.
There are more than 365 Catholic churches, good part of which were built in the colonial period, which tell the story of the city’s religiosity. The Church of São Francisco, with its interior entirely made of gold, is a symbol of the strength of the wealth that colonial Brazil produced.
At the center of the practice of African-based religions in the country, spaces such as Parque Pedra de Xangô or the terreiros worshiping African gods serve as symbols of the resistance of the Afro-Brazilian people.
Brazilian religious syncretism, central to the culture of Salvador, has as its symbol the Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, where the faithful make promises and tie colorful ribbons at the gate as a symbol of faith, creating a beautiful colorful and poetic scene. At the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos, a mass is held to the sound of atabaques, which brings Afro-Brazilian culture to the center of this religious spectacle.
On top of that, stunning beaches.
In addition to this cultural melting pot, the city also has incredible beaches, each with a different characteristic, attracting swimmers and water sports practitioners throughout the year. At night the waterfront comes to life, with people walking, running, cycling, rollerblading and skateboarding on the bike lanes, as well as enjoying the bars and kiosks. Porto da Barra beach attracts a lot of movement, while on the other side of the city, Stella Maris Beach attracts surfers. The Barra and Itapuã lighthouses attract visitors interested in Instagrammable records, which combine history and the beauty of the Bahia coast. At Solar do Unhão beach, people gather to watch the sunset in a natural spectacle.
Gastronomy as a heritage and pulsating nightlife.
Bahian cuisine is an attraction by itself. In Pelourinho or at Santo Antônio Além do Carmo neighborhood, restaurants serve traditional moquecas and other typical dishes from the region, such as vatapá. Exquisite restaurants in the Rio Vermelho neighborhood combine local cuisine with international influences, while street food, symbolized by the acarajés served by traditional Bahian women, are a good option for that snack on your way to the beach.
At night, the city pulses with energy and emotion, with parties filled with traditional rhythms, especially axé, pagode and samba-reggae. The city is the birthplace of famous artists, and live shows and dance performances are common in many places.
Salvador is history, culture, and gastronomy, surrounded by beautiful beaches and filled with energy that you can only find in Brazil.
Photo gallery
How to get there?
Aeroporto Internacional Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães (Salvador)
Terminal Rodoviário de Salvador
Terminal Rodoviário de Pituaçu
