How to Visit Salvador, Brazil: A Complete Guide

There are few places quite as magical as Salvador. 

I spent a few days there during my first trip to Brazil, and predictably, I fell in love with it. 

As a hub for Afro-Brazilian communities, you’re right in the perfect spot to try some of Brazil’s best food, hear lots of music, and learn about some of Brazil’s most interesting traditions like Carnival, capoeira, and Afro-Brazilian religions. 

In short — if you’re looking to learn about Brazilian history and culture, it’s undoubtedly one of the best places you can visit.

And from its historic center, Pelourinho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with picturesque buildings and cobblestone streets, to its gorgeous beaches, it’s also just super beautiful — which definitely doesn’t hurt!

If you’re like me, a pretty city with amazing food and the beach right there pretty much makes for a perfect trip.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know before you visit Salvador, Brazil, from all the sightseeing you don’t want to miss, what to know about safety, where to stay, and more. 

Top Things to Do in Salvador, Brazil

Pelourinho

The most iconic and well-known part of Salvador, spending some time in its historic core is a must. It’s super beautiful, with multi-colored colonial buildings dating to the 17th and 18th centuries, cobblestone streets, and has lots of restaurants, shops and sightseeing all within this neighborhood. If it looks familiar, you may recognize it from Michael Jackson’s music video, “They Don’t Care About Us.”

Although today it is a beautiful tourist destination, it’s a place with a really heavy, dark history. Its name, “Pelourinho,” for example, is a reference to a stone of wooden column that was used to publicly punish enslaved people.

Salvador was Brazil’s first official capital, and in that same vein, a major place for the transatlantic slave trade. 

The actual pillory is no longer there, and today, the area is one of the best places to learn about Afro-Brazilian culture, and the many examples of resilience that came from such a painful period. 

This walking tour will cover a lot of ground if you’d like to explore with a guide. 

But otherwise, some sightseeing specifically in this area you’ll want to check out:

• See the churches – Igreja e Convento de São Francisco, Igreja da Sé and Catedral Basilica de Salvador are all beautiful, historic, adn examples of Portuguese Baroque style. Admission is around $5 BRL. I personally didn’t pay to go inside any of them, and just checked out the outside. 

• Casa do Carnival – Carnival, a giant celebration that honors Brazil’s African heritage, is huge in Salvador, and you can learn all about it at this museum. You can see a number of exhibits (English audio guides are available) and see lots of costumes, props, and there’s even an interactive dance experience. Admission is $30 BRL ($5.29 USD at the time of writing), and it’s closed on Mondays.

• Afro-Brazilian History Museum – This is another great spot to learn about Salvador (and Brazil’s) culture and heritage. Signs are in Portuguese, but apparently there’s a binder of English translations you can get from the receptionist. You can see wood carvings, baskets, pottery and other artwork and crafts, and your admission ticket ($10 BRL) also gets you entry to the Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia.

• See a capoeira performance – This martial-arts-dance hybrid has roots in Salvador, and you will typically see it happening around Pelourinho’s main squares.

• Listen to music – Samba in particular is a music style and dance is another huge aspect of Brazilian culture, that’s particularly significant in Salvador as well as Rio de Janeiro. Around Pelourinho, you can typically see street musicians performing samba as well as axé, another Afro-Brazilian style. Especially if your trip coincides with a Tuesday, you’ll catch a weekly drum procession, Terça da Benção (Tuesday Blessing). 

• Check out the art galleries – You will see galleries all over the neighborhood, displaying work by painters, sculptures, and other types of artists.

• Walk around Praça da Sé, a historic square. You’ll see some beautiful buildings, people selling street food, and most likely Baianas, local women wearing traditional clothing. 

To learn more about Salvador’s African heritage, this well-rated tour looks like an amazing  choice. You’ll visit a number of significant landmarks while learning directly from a guide about both the history and impact today of Salvador’s Afro-Brazilian communities. Find out more here.

Elevador Lacerda

Salvador is divided by an upper and lower level, and it’s super easy to travel between the two sections, thanks to its historic elevator, which was built in 1873.

It’s 236 feet tall and only costs a few cents for a 30-second ride. Super quick yes, but considering how affordable it is, it’s worth it, and it’s one of the city’s unique features.

I did not do my research at all about its location when I was in Salvador, so I made my way to the top entrance, where there’s a really beautiful ocean view. I then took an Uber all the way to the bottom entrance, rode the elevator, and wound up right where I started.

Mercado Modelo

When you make it to the lower level of the city from Elevador Lacerda, head to Mercado Modelo.

It’s located in a historic yellow building and you’ll find all sorts of vendors selling goods — apparently there are over 250 vendors selling food and every type of souvenir.  I picked up a couple little knick-knacks and some cute earrings (though tragically they irritated my ears so I never wear them).

It opens daily at 9 a.m., and is open until 6 p.m. every day except for Sunday, when it closes at 2.

Museu da Música

Music is a huge part of Bahian culture, so it’s only fitting that there’s a music-themed museum.

This museum is close to Mercado Modelo, and covers both the music culture in Salvador, as well as musical history from throughout Bahia, from regional styles to significant musicians, as well as an exhibit about Brazilian rappers.

I’m sad I didn’t make it here — the exhibits are apparently really interactive, and it looks like such a cool place to visit.

It’s open from Tuesdays to Sundays, and admission is $20 BRL.  

Museu de Arte da Bahia

This is Bahia’s oldest museum, and you’ll see work by a lot of Bahian artists here, both dating back to the 18th century as well as some contemporary art.

Admission is almost always free, unless there’s a special event going on.

Rio Vermelho

This trendy neighborhood is known for its bohemian style. Although it’s super popular especially for nightlife, there’s plenty to do here if you want to make a day of it.

• Buracão Beach is really beautiful, and during low tide, there are natural pools that form.

• You can also find the Rio Vermelho Market (also known as Ceasinha) which sells all types of food and crafts and is priced lower than markets in more touristy areas. 

• Casa de Iemanjá is also here, which is dedicated to Iemanjá, an orisha, or a deity that’s very significant in Afro-Brazilian religions. It’s located right on Rio Vermelho Beach (which makes perfect sense since Iemanjá rules the water and the ocean), and you’ll likely see various images and offerings made to her. If you happen to be visiting on February 2, this is when a major festival happens in honor of Iemanjá.

• Museum of the Red House (Casa do Rio Vermelho) is the former residence of prominent Brazilian novelist Jorge Amado and his wife Zélia Gatai

When it comes to nightlife, you’ll find that lots of bars, restaurants, and clubs are all close to each other, making it easy to walk around and visit different places. Here are some some spots to check out: 

• San Sebastian is a great spot for music, which ranges from samba, to axé, to funk, to Brazilian popular music, and more.
• Borracharia – Interestingly this is a tire shop by day, nightclub by night. It has an eclectic vibe and you can expect to hear everything from rock to samba.
• Casa da Mãe is a popular cultural center/bar and live music venue.

Farol da Barra

For some reason I didn’t make it here, but it’s a top thing to do in Salvador.

Located in the Barra neighborhood, Farol da Barra is a beautiful lighthouse situated within a fort, Forte de Santo Antônio da Barra, which dates back to 1698 and is the state’s oldest. 

Within the fort, you’ll find Museu Náutico da Bahia, a nautical museum, which has relics dating back to Portuguese colonization along with exhibits about the slave trade. 

A regular ticket is $20 BRL ($3.52 USD) and it’s open every day from 9 a.m. to 6.

When you’re done with the museum, check out Porto da Barra Beach that the fort overlooks. This is supposedly a great sunset spot!

Solar do Unhão

For me, this was one of the highlights of my time in Salvador!

You’ll find a little art museum here, housed in an 18th century building, Museu de Arte Moderna, that’s free to visit and worth a stop. Apparently on Saturday evenings the museum hosts a jazz and bossa nova event.

What really did it for me, however, was the little beach right next to the museum, Praia da Gamboa. Someone I met in Sao Paulo suggested I come here to watch the sunset, and it was in fact gorgeous. It was so peaceful, beautiful, and something I’d 100% recommend.

Keep in mind that you’ll want to Uber to and from the museum, as it’s not known as the safest area for walking around.

Feira de São Joaquim

Salvador’s largest open-air market is another great stop to make either for a souvenir, or to get something to eat (or both).

It’s been around for roughly 100 years (although it’s had a couple different names over the years) and is a great place to find well-priced food items or souvenirs. There’s also a restaurant that’s facing the water — but you’ll want to try to get there early so you can get a seat!

This fair is open daily from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Where to Stay in Salvador

I have all the info you need on the best neighborhoods, plus more accommodation options in this full-length Salvador accommodation guide, but here are some highlights.

Pelourinho is a popular area for tourists, with lots of hostels, hotels, and food options all in one walkable area. This is where I stayed and I loved the location. I was able to walk to lots of sightseeing, or just take an easy Uber ride. Santo Antonio is a neighborhood not far from Pelourinho that is still historic but a bit quieter and less touristy.

I think the Barra neighborhood would also be an amazing choice. You’ll be right at the beach, and you’ll have lots of restaurant options nearby.

If you’re interested in nightlife, then Rio Vermelho is your best bet. Just keep in mind that it’s one of the pricier neighborhoods in Salvador, though, but you should still be able to find some affordable options.

If you’re mainly looking for a quiet area to maximize your beach time, Itapuã is another solid option.

Here are some spots that all look great to me — I read through reviews and only include places that I would consider staying in myself.

Is Salvador, Brazil safe?

As a solo woman traveler, I honestly felt safe throughout my time there. 

But with that said, I don’t think its reputation is the safest, and there are things you should keep in mind while here.

Pelourinho is definitely the most touristy area, and it felt the safest and is the most walkable. However, I was wandering around an empty street with my camera at one point, and someone warned me that I should put it away. 

If going beyond the historic center, it’s the safest to Uber. I was walking around at one point, using my phone to navigate, when again, some construction workers started to scold me in Portuguese for walking where I was and with my phone out.

I’ve also heard some reports from other tourists about getting robbed. Honestly, it seems like Salvador deals with a lot of similar safety issues as many cities in Brazil — and big cities in lots of countries!

But, that doesn’t mean it’s dangerous or scary to visit. 

Everyone I encountered was extremely kind and helpful, and as a solo female traveler, I never felt in danger. 

It’s definitely best to be careful, of course, and not flash any electronics like I was doing, and follow other precautions like not wearing valuable jewelry or carrying all your money with you. 

You’ll also want to stick to touristy neighborhoods and not try to wander too far-off-the-beaten path if you’re not with a local. Crime definitely seems to be higher in certain local neighborhoods where it’s not likely tourists would go anyway.

When to visit Salvador, Brazil

Salvador is a great year-round destination thanks to its warm weather.

If you’re looking to visit Brazil for Carnival, which falls some time in February or March depending on the year, Salvador is known as one of the best cities to experience it.

Just keep in mind that if you visit during this time, it’s bound to be super crowded and more expensive, and you’ll definitely want to book accommodations and other activities far in advance.

Personally, I visited in January, before Carnival, which is still the high season and summer time in Brazil. There were some pre-Carnival festivities going on so you could still get a little taste of what Carnival is like, without the crowds and crazy party atmosphere.

Temperatures don’t fluctuate a ton throughout the year, but June through September will have slightly lower temperatures, ranging from low 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit, unlike the rest of the year, where temperatures are frequently in the mid to high 80s. 

As a tropical climate, its seasons are better defined as rainy and dry seasons. March through August is considered the rainiest time in Salvador, while September to February is the dry season.

How to get to Salvador, Brazil

BY AIR

Flying is by far the easiest way, and is what I did. You can fly into Salvador International Airport. 

From Rio, most one-way flights range from $59 to $100 USD, and nonstop flights will be just two hours.

From Sao Paulo, the prices are a similar range — the majority of flights that I’m seeing throughout the year at the time of writing are around $80. The flight will be around two hours and 20 minutes.

From Recife, which like Salvador, is in the northeast of Brazil, GOL seems to have a daily flight that’s $58 USD pretty much across the board, with some other options costing a bit more if that time doesn’t work for you. A nonstop flight will be around one hour and 15 to 25 minutes. 

BY LAND

If coming from elsewhere in Brazil, you can take a bus, but this definitely is way less convenient, and in some cases, not even more cost-effective than flying. 

From Rio, the journey will take roughly 29 to 36 hours, and prices start at $93. 

If you’re coming from Sao Paulo, the cheapest option is $54, and takes 34+ hours.

From Recife, your fastest bus option will take 13 and a half hours, and prices start at $27.

How many days to spend in Salvador

I spent five days, four nights here, and I felt pretty good about that amount of time. 

To be honest, it was at the end of a three-week solo trip, so at this point I was kind of maxing out on energy. 

But, I was able to hit the main sites (and eat my weight’s worth in moqueca) during this time. 

Under different circumstances, I definitely could’ve stayed a few more days and seen more. Something I regret a bit is not taking the time to do a walking tour or some other cultural experience where you get to learn more about a place’s history from a local. 

This really is a place with so much culture, from its amazing food, music, traditions, and so on and so forth. So at minimum, give it three days!

Costs of traveling in Salvador

These costs are all estimates, based on my experience as well as research. Keep in mind that prices vary by spot and currency exchanges are constantly fluctuating.

At the time of writing, $1 USD is $5.68 BRL.

• Dorm bed in a hostel: $10 to $26 a night
• A private room in a basic hotel: $44 to $70ish a night
• A 4 or 5-star hotel: $50 to $150+
• A beer: R$10 to R$15 ($1.76 USD to $2.64)
• A caipirinha: R$10 to R$40 ($1.76 to $7.04)
• Moqueca, a Bahian seafood dish: R$40 to R$100 ($7.04 USD to $17.60)
• Acarajé, a Bahian street food snack: R$5 to $20 (.88 to $3.52 USD)
• A short Uber ride: R$12 to 45 BRL (~$2 to $8 USD)

If you’re ready to get into serious budget-planning mode for your trip to Brazil (or just want to know a bit more about average costs throughout the country), you’ll want to head to this cost breakdown guide.

What to eat and drink in Salvador

Food is a huuuge part of Bahian culture, so make sure you try at least a few of these things while in Salvador!

• Moqueca – This seafood stew typically has shrimp or other fish, and has a base made from coconut milk, palm oil, tomatoes, and other ingredients. I think I ate this pretty much every day I was in Salvador, that’s how good it is! Many restaurants I visited also had vegan versions on their menus too!

• Acarajé – This street food is another must in Salvador. It’s essentially a fried fritter made from fradinho (black-eyed peas), palm oil, and other seasonings, and typically is stuffed with shrimp and other fillings. 

• Bobó de camarão – This shrimp stew also uses coconut milk and palm oil, but it’s thicker thanks to the use of cassava. If I wasn’t eating moqueca, I was eating this! It’s super flavorful and rich.

• Vatapá – This is another dish based on shrimp and coconut milk, but it’s even thicker. It uses either bread or cassava to make a porridge-like or stew-like consistency. It’s either served as a side dish or as a main dish with rice on the side. You may even see it as a filling used in acarajé as well. 

• Tapioca – This is basically the Brazilian version of a crepe, except it has a much chewier consistency. It’s used in both sweet and savory versions. I’m not a huge fan of it to be honest, but it’s worth trying once!

• Cocadas – This is a sweet street food made from coconut. 

• Caipirinhas – The cocktail of Brazil. It’s similar to a mojito except that it doesn’t typically use mint, but just lime, cachaca, and sugar. You may also see flavors like passionfruit, which are my favorite. 

• Feijoada – The national dish of Brazil, feijoada is made up of beans as well as different types of pork and beef. It’s typically served with rice, collard greens, and a slice of orange on the side. This is delicious, but it’s very heavy, so be warned!

This is a pricier activity at $164.91 per person, but this Baiana cooking class that includes a visit to a market with lunch seems like such a cool experience. You’ll make a moqueca and a caipirinha, while learning all about the African, Portuguese, and Indigenous influences that make up Brazilian cuisine. This is definitely a bucket-list experience for me! Check it out here.

Final thoughts: Is Salvador, Brazil worth visiting?

If you’re looking to experience the magic of Brazil, then there are few better places than Salvador

Whether you’re looking for a beautiful beach destination, to experience Brazilian culture, or just to eat some amazing food, Salvador checks all those boxes and more. 

Looking for more help planning your time in Salvador and Brazil? Check out one of these guides next:

• 3 Days in Salvador, Brazil: Culture & Beach Itinerary
• Best Places to Stay in Salvador, Brazil: Budget Guide
• Is Salvador, Brazil Safe? A Solo Traveler’s Honest Take
• Is Brazil Expensive to Visit? A Budget Breakdown
• 5 Best Places to Visit in Brazil for Your First Trip
• Three Weeks in Brazil Itinerary
• Best Things to Do in Recife, Brazil: Beaches, Food & History
• Top Things to Do in Porto de Galinhas, Brazil
• 15 Best Things to Do in Sao Paulo, Brazil
• One Week in Rio de Janeiro Itinerary