Salvador and the Pelourinho
The Afro-Brazilian soul of Brazil - a UNESCO old town of brightly painted colonial mansions and baroque churches, alive with Afro-Bahian music, dance and culture, high above the sea.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
UNESCO World Heritage
Salvador, the first capital of colonial Brazil, is the vibrant heart of Afro-Brazilian culture, and its historic centre, the Pelourinho, is a UNESCO gem of brightly painted colonial mansions, cobbled squares and gilded baroque churches perched on a bluff above the sea. Once the hub of the slave trade, it pulses today with the music, dance, capoeira, cuisine and Candomblé religion of its rich Afro-Bahian heritage.
What you actually see
- The Pelourinho - the colourful colonial old town and its squares.
- The baroque churches - the gilded São Francisco church and others.
- The Afro-Bahian culture - the drumming, capoeira and dance.
- The Elevador Lacerda - the historic lift between the upper and lower towns.
When to go
September to March for the warmest, driest weather; the city's own carnival, one of the biggest in Brazil, and the festivals of the Afro-Brazilian calendar are vibrant times to visit, if crowded.
Honest expectations
The historic centre is liveliest by day; in the evening the activity draws in around the main squares, where drum groups and concerts gather the crowds. Its history includes the painful legacy of slavery, which its living Afro-Brazilian culture proudly reclaims. It is hot and humid, and touts work the tourist areas.
Nearby
The beaches of Bahia and the island of Itaparica are close; the coast stretches north and south.
What to pack for Salvador and the Pelourinho
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
