Salvador—Brazil’s first capital—was founded in 1549 and still feels like a living time capsule. Its historic Pelourinho quarter (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is a maze of azulejo-clad churches, candy-colored mansions, and drumlines that echo at dusk. The city is the cradle of Afro-Brazilian culture, where Candomblé rhythms, capoeira circles, and Bahian flavors shape daily life.

Come for the storybook skyline and stay for the sea. From Farol da Barra’s lighthouse and calm swimming coves to Ribeira’s old-time sorveteria, Salvador blends urban energy with easy beach hours. Food is a revelation: moqueca simmered with dendê oil, acarajé fried by expert baianas, and fresh-caught seafood along the marina.

Practical notes: Fly into SSA (Salvador International). Uber and metered taxis are widely used; keep valuables close and avoid empty streets late at night. Pack light, breathable clothing, reef-safe sunscreen, and cash for market stalls. Vegetarian? Look for moquecas made with banana-da-terra or palmito.

Salvador

Salvador is a city of drums and light. In Pelourinho, ornate gold-leaf churches like São Francisco stand steps from capoeira rodas and the Olodum house band’s rehearsal space. Down the hill, Elevador Lacerda glides to the waterfront for handicrafts at Mercado Modelo and broad views across Todos os Santos Bay.

By late afternoon, locals chase the sun—at Farol da Barra, MAM Bahia’s seaside ramp, or Ponta de Humaitá. Evenings spill into Rio Vermelho, where the city’s best acarajé stands fuel a night of live samba, forró, or MPB.

• Top sights: Pelourinho, Elevador Lacerda, Mercado Modelo, Church of São Francisco, Bonfim Church (Senhor do Bonfim), Casa do Carnaval da Bahia, MAM Bahia (Solar do Unhão), Farol da Barra, Porto da Barra beach, Casa do Rio Vermelho (Jorge Amado & Zélia Gattai).
• Essential eats: Acarajé (try Dinha or Cira in Rio Vermelho), moqueca baiana (Amado or Yemanjá), xinxim de galinha, cocadas, and a shot of Cravinho liqueur in Pelourinho.
• Neighborhood vibes: Pelourinho (historic core), Santo Antônio Além do Carmo (quiet, scenic streets), Barra (beachy), Rio Vermelho (nightlife and dining), Ribeira/Itapagipe (tradition and bay views).

Where to stay:

• Browse vacation homes on VRBO Salvador or hotels via Hotels.com Salvador.
• Design-forward icon with bay views: Fasano Salvador (historic center, rooftop pool, polished service).
• Great value near museums and the bay: Hotel Bahia do Sol (spacious rooms, easy taxi access).
• Resort-style comforts by the sea: Vila Galé Salvador (oceanfront pool, close to Barra).

How to get there: Fly into Salvador (SSA). From São Paulo or Rio, nonstop flights take ~2–2.5 hours and often range US$70–200 round-trip if booked early. Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Airport to Pelourinho/Barra is ~35–50 minutes by Uber (R$45–80 depending on traffic). The metro connects the airport to the city; with luggage, most visitors opt for a taxi/Uber.

Day 1: Pelourinho’s history, bay views, and a night in Rio Vermelho

Morning: Travel day. Aim for a late-morning or midday arrival at SSA so you’re in the historic center by mid-afternoon. If you land early, drop bags at your hotel and grab a quick pão de queijo and espresso at Perini (a beloved Bahian deli-bakery chain) to power up.

Afternoon: Start at Pelourinho. Step into the gilded Church of São Francisco, then wander Largo do Cruzeiro and Largo do Pelourinho to admire pastel facades and street percussion. Ride the Elevador Lacerda down to the waterfront for handicrafts at Mercado Modelo (great for straw baskets, woodwork, and ribbons of Bonfim). If you’re a museum buff, add the Museu Afro-Brasileiro or the interactive Casa do Carnaval da Bahia nearby to understand the roots of samba-reggae and trio elétrico.

Coffee & snack pick-me-ups: Pause for cold brew and bolo de rolo at Solar Café inside MAM Bahia (if you time Pelourinho + MAM together), or try cocadas from friendly vendors on the squares.

Dinner: Two excellent options. Cuco Bistrô (Pelourinho) serves regional hits like moqueca and bobó de camarão in a cozy, tile-lined space—perfect if you want to stay in the historic core. Or head to Casa de Tereza in Rio Vermelho, where chef Tereza Paim reimagines Bahian classics with impeccable dendê and local produce; the crab casquinha and moqueca de peixe are standouts.

Evening: Continue in Rio Vermelho, Salvador’s bohemian nightlife hub. Start with a warm, just-fried acarajé at iconic stands Dinha or Cira—ask for caruru, vatapá, and a dab of hot pepper. For drinks, try Velho Espanha (a cultural bar in the Dois de Julho area with live tunes on some nights) or sample the namesake spiced liqueur at Cravinho in Pelourinho if you stayed central. If it’s a Saturday, check whether the legendary JAM no MAM jazz session is on at the Museum of Modern Art; sunsets and saxophones meet right over the bay.

Day 2: Beaches, Bonfim blessings, and sunset art

Morning: Join locals at Farol da Barra. Walk the ramparts of the lighthouse (Forte de Santo Antônio da Barra) and sip a cappuccino at Café do Forte with ocean views. Then swim at nearby Porto da Barra, one of Brazil’s calmest urban beaches; rent a chair, slather on sunscreen, and watch the bay’s schooners glide past. Alternative for culture lovers: visit Casa do Rio Vermelho, the intimate home-museum of writers Jorge Amado and Zélia Gattai, to peek into Bahia’s literary soul.

Lunch: For a leisurely, waterfront meal, book Amado by the marina—its airy terrace and refined take on moqueca, mini acarajés, and grilled octopus are ideal for a long lunch. Prefer a classic, family-style feast? Go to Yemanjá (Pituba) for generous moquecas and a full lineup of Bahian sides.

Afternoon: Cross to the Itapagipe Peninsula for the ribbon-bedecked Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim. Tie a fitinha on the fence and make a wish. Then follow the bay to Ribeira for an old-school treat at Sorveteria da Ribeira—try umbu or tapioca flavors. Time permitting, swing by Ponta de Humaitá, a low-key headland with a lighthouse and one of the city’s best natural viewpoints.

Evening: End at MAM Bahia (Solar do Unhão): watch the sun melt into the bay from the concrete ramp and sculpture garden. For a farewell dinner, choose Lafayette (Bahia Marina; seafood and sushi with night-lit water views) or return to Casa de Tereza if you missed it yesterday. Nightcap back in the center? Another round of Cravinho, or caipirinhas in Rio Vermelho before packing up.

Local transport tips: Use Uber/taxis between neighborhoods (Pelourinho ↔ Barra ~15–25 minutes, depending on traffic). Keep phones tucked away while walking, especially at night. If you carry a beach bag, consider a simple, non-designer tote.

Optional add-on in Brazil (if you’re continuing to Rio de Janeiro):

• Golden-hour on Guanabara Bay is spectacular. Consider the Rio de Janeiro Sunset Sailing Tour with Drinks to toast Sugarloaf at dusk.

  

• Visiting during Carnival season? Secure your spot for samba schools at the Sambadrome with Rio de Janeiro Carnival Parade Tickets and optional transport.

  

Departure: With an afternoon flight, squeeze in a final swim at Porto da Barra or a lazy breakfast pastry at Perini before heading to SSA. Search your outbound flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

In two days, you’ll trace Salvador’s journey from colonial capital to cultural heartbeat—tasting Bahian spices, bathing in warm bays, and hearing drums spill into the streets at dusk. It’s a compact itinerary that leaves time to breathe, with enough flavor to make you promise a longer return.