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Largo Do Pelourinho
Largo Do Pelourinho

A fairly small triangular plaza, is among the oldest parts of town. You can guess from its name meaning "plaza of the pillory" what went on around there

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Brazil

Salvador Travel Guide & Tips

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Salvador travel guide

Plan a trip to Salvador, Brazil — things to do, where to stay, food, transport, and local tips. Start with Museu Afro-Brasileiro, Largo do Pelourinho, Mercado Modelo, Igreja do Nosso Senhor do Bonfim.

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Places mentioned in this guide
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See & do

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You'll find a huge variety of things to do in Salvador. Some of the popular activities include:

  • Day tour of Salvador - Salvador 500 years in 1 day (info: salvador-guide.basix.cc)
  • Salvador Parks
  • Salvador golf courses
  • Salvador music festivals
  • Surf trips
  • Participate at a Candomblé ceremony. Candomblé is an Afro-Brazilian religion that originated in Salvador and still has a significant following in Brazil. Their places of cult are called terreiros and many are open to visit. You can ask at FENACAB (Nacional de Culto Afro Brasileiro). They organise visits with a taxi for 100 Reais and have an office in Rua Portas do Carmo, 39 – 1º andar (antiga Alfredo de Brito) – Pelourinho +55 71 3321 1548. http://bahia.com.br/outros_servicos/federacao-nacional-de-culto-afro-brasileiro/ Many travel agencies also organize similar visits for the same price. They are free to enter and tourists are welcome to participate, so if you know a terreiros you can also go by yourself.

A good Brazil tour guide in Salvador, known as a guia de Salvador, will be able to show you around lots of the attractions and activities if you want to explore on your own. A good option to get a general idea and find your way around in the city is the "Salvador Bus", an open-top tour bus passing by the main points of interest and offering explanation on the way.

One of the main attractions in Salvador is the Carnaval. Salvador's giant Carnaval, the biggest of the world, according to the Guinness book of records, lasts for one week and is extremely popular with Brazilians and tourists alike. The event happens in mid-February and consists of parades, live entertainment, music, dancers and vendors. The main parades follow three circuits: one in the historic center Pelourinho (with mainly traditional groups in costumes), one on Campo Grande, where most bands play samba, and the most popular one in Barra/Ondina, where modern Brazilian Axé music mixes with percussion and all kinds of rhythms and styles, and the bands parade between "Camarote" boxes on one side and the beach on the other. Options to participate are either by watching from the camarote boxes, or purchasing an "abadá" shirt to join a group that accompanies one of the bands throughout the parade.

You can expect to have a lot of fun if you vacation in Salvador during Carnaval. Salvador also has many other attractions that tourists will find enjoyable. these include golf courses, museums and even an old 17th-century fort. Anyone wishing to visit Salvador Brazil will find their trip to be entertaining, fun and full of wonderful memories.

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Where to stay

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Showing up to 6 stays with photos. Live room rates open on Booking.com via Travelpayouts.

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Hotel room with bed and natural light — compare stays in Salvador

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Stays in Salvador

Hotellook

Compare hotels and apartments in Salvador — neighbourhood vibe, price, and walkability in one search.

  • Stay near a metro line if you plan museum-hopping days.
  • Read recent reviews for noise — central streets can be loud at night.
  • Flexible cancellation helps when flight times shift.
Airplane wing above the clouds — search flights in Salvador

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Flights in Salvador

Aviasales

Find flights into Salvador and compare fares across airlines in one place.

  • Compare nearby airports — sometimes a short train ride beats a pricey hub.
  • Midweek departures are often cheaper than Friday/Sunday peaks.
  • Set a flexible ±3 day search when your dates can move.
Travellers exploring a city square — book tours and experiences in Salvador

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Experiences in Salvador

Klook

Tours, food walks, day trips and city activities around Salvador — book ahead and skip the guesswork.

  • Book popular tours early in peak season — small-group slots go first.
  • Day trips often include hotel pickup; check the meeting point.
  • Look for free-cancellation options if the weather looks unstable.
Museum gallery interior — attraction tickets and city passes in Salvador

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Tickets in Salvador

Tiqets

Skip lines and grab attraction tickets for Salvador — museums, landmarks, and city passes.

  • Book popular museums and towers ahead — timed slots sell out on weekends.
  • Mobile tickets are usually scanned at the gate; keep offline screenshots as backup.
  • Combo passes can be cheaper when you plan 2–3 big sights in one day.
Car on a city highway — airport and city transfers in Salvador

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Transfers in Salvador

Kiwitaxi

Private airport and city transfers for Salvador — fixed price, driver waiting for you.

  • Pre-book airport transfers when landing late or with heavy luggage.
  • Meet-and-greet at arrivals beats hunting taxis after a long flight.
  • Confirm child seats / extra stops when you reserve.
Rental car on the open road — car hire for day trips in Salvador

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Cars in Salvador

GetRentacar

Rent a car around Salvador for day trips and countryside — flexible pickup options.

  • Compare full-to-full fuel policies — they save hassle at return.
  • Check congestion / limited-traffic zones before driving into historic centres.
  • Book early for weekends and holidays; automatic cars go first.
Smartphone with travel apps — stay online with a travel eSIM in Salvador

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eSIM in Salvador

Yesim

Travel eSIM data for visiting Salvador — online as soon as you land, no kiosk queues.

  • Install the eSIM before you fly; activate on landing.
  • Confirm your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible.
  • Keep a small local SIM as backup if you need a local number for calls.