In a city where the weekend officially begins on a Thursday and every other day is a party regardless, happiness seems an inevitable disposition. Of course, Rio de Janeiro and São Paolo are decent places to go for a dose of hedonism, but just ask anyone who’s ever been: no-one cuts loose quite like they do in the home of Afro-Brazilian culture: Salvador de Bahia, Brazil.
Salvador de Bahia is most famous for Carnival, one of the biggest street parties in the world, which takes place in February or March every year. However, there’s a wealth of things to do in Salvador de Bahia throughout the year, and the fiestas don’t stop just because Carnival has finished. So if Carnival doesn’t fit into your schedule, here’s our run-down of the top ten things to do in Salvador de Bahia:
Tuesday night in the Historical Center
Like the rest of us, Brazilians are back to work on Monday. In Salvador de Bahia, however, they’ve come up with a great way to abate those Monday blues: Tuesday night is party night. Crowds gather on the streets of the Pelourinho area to mingle, drink and dance the night away. To compliment the alfresco partying, there are an abundance of late-night restaurants and bars serving food should you build up an appetite from all that shape-throwing.
Largo do Pelourinho
The central plaza of Largo do Pelourinho was used for the punishment of slaves in the 17th and 18th centuries and It was elected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. When you see the striking colonial architecture, it’s easy to understand why. Today its pastel-colored buildings and cobblestone streets buzz with lively boutiques and markets during the day, and with an unforgettable restaurant and bar scene at night.
São Francisco Church and Convent
Behind its appealing but relatively unassuming façade, the São Francisco Church and Convent hides a stunning interior. The lavish 18th century decoration took almost 50 years to complete which, you’ll find when you see it, is actually a fairly short amount of time considering the intricacy and scope of its design. The church is a true relic of Baroque opulence and, fittingly enough, is home to a wealth of Baroque art - so for art buffs it’s a must-see.
Mercado Modelo
Love it or hate it, it has to be done: souvenir shopping is an inevitable part of your vacation, and in Salvador de Bahia, Mercado Modelo is the place to go. Whether you’re looking for home-grown music, t-shirts, handmade trinkets or even musical instruments, this market just about has it all. The building itself used to be the Salvador de Bahia port custom house and sits appealingly on the city’s coastline. If the shopping and bargaining tires you out, stop for lunch at nearby Camafeu de Oxossi and relax with a refreshing cold beer and excellent views of the bay.
Capoeira
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian art form that combines martial arts with music and dance. Now popular all around the world, its roots can be traced back to Bahia, where it was developed by enslaved Africans in the 16th century. As you walk through the streets of Salvador de Bahia, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll encounter a group of locals performing capoeira, but if you don’t feel that’s coming close enough to the action, you could always visit one of the many capoeira schools found in the city. Try Diálogo, and you might pick up some Portuguese too.
Praça Municipal
One of the oldest neighborhoods in Salvador de Bahia, Praça Municipal’s mostly pedestrianized streets are dominated by the Casa de Câmara and the Palácio Rio Branco. The Palácio Rio Branco – a huge neoclassical building built in homage to the French state governor - is particularly stunning and its design can be counted as a rival to some of Europe’s most famous neo-classical architecture. After dark you can splash out in one of the area’s restaurants and enjoy views of Salvador de Bahia´s incredible past, lit up and sparkling in the balmy Brazilian evening.
Porto da Barra Beach
If you’re heading to Brazil partially in the hope of watching the sunset on one of its many famous beaches, look no further. Porto da Barra beach was voted by leading UK Newspaper The Guardian as one of the top ten beaches in the world, and little wonder. The waters are clear, the setting is incredible and action-wise there’s everything you could ask for: football, volleyball, tennis, fishing, diving and more. Beautiful people stroll down its sandy expanse without a care in the world, while waves lap gently against the shoreline. Sit back, relax and enjoy.
Elevador Lacerda
You can’t really miss the Elevador Lacerda, Salvador de Bahia’s most recognizable landmark. It juts proudly upwards, connecting the city’s lower areas to its higher parts from The Bay of All Saints. You can ride Brazil’s first elevator very cheaply (it definitely beats taking the steps) and enjoy breathtaking views from the top, ideal for taking snaps for your travel blog. Alternatively, descend down into the elegant Bay of All Saints and take your time wandering along the coast.
Local food
One of the most famous of Bahian cuisine is acarajé, a dish made from peeled black-eyed peas, shrimps and ground cashew nuts. To eat it like the locals, split it in half and apply hot-sauce liberally. The best acarajé can be bought from street vendors found throughout the city – usually women dressed in distinctive white clothing. Most other Salvadorian food incorporates fish and coconut milk, cooked and presented in clay pots. Our favorite is the Moquecas de Bahia, a delicious, spicy stew made from fresh seafood, coconut milk, tomato, pepper and a few other local ingredients. For the best moquecas, try Casa da Gamboa.
Itaparica
Technically not in Salador, but definitely worth a visit, picturesque Itaparica is the largest island off the coast of Salvador de Bahia. It’s easy to get to and is perfect for a short break from the buzz of the city. The island boasts plenty of beaches, but the most popular (and for good reason) is probably at Ponta de Areia. Best of all, Itaparica may be popular with locals, but it remains largely unknown to the tourist masses, giving you your own personal slice of Bahian bliss.