Also known as the Farol de Santo Antônio, this lighthouse is the first and oldest one on the continent. The Portuguese built the beacon to prevent shipwrecks like the tragic one that killed many aboard the Sacramento Santíssimo on the night of May, 5 1668. It was finished in 1698 and replaced again with a more modern one with a range of 18 nautical miles. It is part of the Santo Antônio Fort and the Museo Náutico da Bahia (Bahia Nautical Museum); the latter is an amazing museum that highlights the maritime history of Portugal and Salvador. Check museum website for details on how to visit the lighthouse.
The entire metropolitan area of Salvador and its environs is known as the Recôncavo and with more than 14 million people in the state of Bahia, Friars Island is a wonderful getaway from the hustle and bustle of urban life. This tranquil island in the middle of the All Saints Bay can be accessed by Madre de Deus Island or from Porto da Barra. The island is named after two priests who tried to proselytize during the colonization of Brazil, they were subsequently killed by the indigenous Tupínamba, and the Portuguese eventually occupied the island. Today, this tranquil oasis is a favorite amongst locals and tourists alike. There are a very few amenities on the island, yet there are a few interesting churches from the 17th and 18th-centuries.
One of the greatest things about Brazilian cities is that almost all of the major ones have massive green spaces within them. Salvador is no different; its claim to the 'mato' or jungle is Pituaçu Park. It is the largest municipal park in the city and attracts tourists and locals from all over the region to escape the tremulous hum in Salvador's streets. The highlight of the park is the Pituaçu Lagoon, where people rent pedalinhos or pedal boats and tour the artificial lake. There is also a bike track that circles the park and other amenities which include food vendors, basketball courts, soccer fields and places to dock your own canoe.
Itapuã is one of the most popular spots in the entire city, it is known for its soft sand and plethora of food stands that run along its beach. Sometimes the beach becomes too crowded on weekends and it is difficult to find parking in the area, but the Farol de Itapuã (lighthouse) and the views over the Atlantic are worth the trip. The word Itapuã means 'beehive' in the indigenous Tupinikin language and though there are no longer any nests in the area, it may seem that way sometimes with the amount of noise and crowds.
In 1995, Aloísio Melo aka 'Lôro' created a Mecca of surf, sand, sun and serenity on the shores of Flamengo Beach. In Brazil, a 'barraca' is generally known to be a hut that sells products, but Barraca do Lôro is more than that. From exclusive restaurants and massage therapy to free Wi-Fi and meditation zones, Lôro definitely stands out from others around Salvador. Additionally, the barraca has its own private beach where guests can practice how to surf with calmer waves and they even provide you with a cooler to keep your beer cold while lounging on the beach.
The trendy enclaves of Barra and Rio Vermelho may garner all of the tourist praise and attention, but neighboring Amaralina Beach is where the locals go. The surf here is a little more treacherous since it faces the Atlantic and the beach is always filled with surfers. One of the highlights here is the acarajé, a fried bean paste that is filled with various ingredients in addition to the emblematic food ambassadors of Salvador who sell it, the Baianas do Acarajé. The eponymous neighborhood also has some great restaurants that have modestly priced menus and a couple of supermarkets to make your own lunch to watch the sunset on the beach.
Also known as the Farol de Santo Antônio, this lighthouse is the first and oldest one on the continent. The Portuguese built the beacon to prevent shipwrecks like the tragic one that killed many aboard the Sacramento Santíssimo on the night of May, 5 1668. It was finished in 1698 and replaced again with a more modern one with a range of 18 nautical miles. It is part of the Santo Antônio Fort and the Museo Náutico da Bahia (Bahia Nautical Museum); the latter is an amazing museum that highlights the maritime history of Portugal and Salvador. Check museum website for details on how to visit the lighthouse.
The entire metropolitan area of Salvador and its environs is known as the Recôncavo and with more than 14 million people in the state of Bahia, Friars Island is a wonderful getaway from the hustle and bustle of urban life. This tranquil island in the middle of the All Saints Bay can be accessed by Madre de Deus Island or from Porto da Barra. The island is named after two priests who tried to proselytize during the colonization of Brazil, they were subsequently killed by the indigenous Tupínamba, and the Portuguese eventually occupied the island. Today, this tranquil oasis is a favorite amongst locals and tourists alike. There are a very few amenities on the island, yet there are a few interesting churches from the 17th and 18th-centuries.
This island in All Saint's Bay uses another Tupí name which means 'near the rocks' and it is the largest one near the mainland. It was once 'discovered' by explorer Amerigo Vespucci and subsequently occupied by Jesuits. Today it is an island paradise comprised of two small towns, Veracruz and Itaparica, both are tranquil and the latter has the only shoreline mineral baths in the Americas. Other natural wonders include the beaches around the island, the coral reefs and wildlife; a true refuge away from bustling Salvador.
One of the greatest things about Brazilian cities is that almost all of the major ones have massive green spaces within them. Salvador is no different; its claim to the 'mato' or jungle is Pituaçu Park. It is the largest municipal park in the city and attracts tourists and locals from all over the region to escape the tremulous hum in Salvador's streets. The highlight of the park is the Pituaçu Lagoon, where people rent pedalinhos or pedal boats and tour the artificial lake. There is also a bike track that circles the park and other amenities which include food vendors, basketball courts, soccer fields and places to dock your own canoe.
Itapuã is one of the most popular spots in the entire city, it is known for its soft sand and plethora of food stands that run along its beach. Sometimes the beach becomes too crowded on weekends and it is difficult to find parking in the area, but the Farol de Itapuã (lighthouse) and the views over the Atlantic are worth the trip. The word Itapuã means 'beehive' in the indigenous Tupinikin language and though there are no longer any nests in the area, it may seem that way sometimes with the amount of noise and crowds.
In 1995, Aloísio Melo aka 'Lôro' created a Mecca of surf, sand, sun and serenity on the shores of Flamengo Beach. In Brazil, a 'barraca' is generally known to be a hut that sells products, but Barraca do Lôro is more than that. From exclusive restaurants and massage therapy to free Wi-Fi and meditation zones, Lôro definitely stands out from others around Salvador. Additionally, the barraca has its own private beach where guests can practice how to surf with calmer waves and they even provide you with a cooler to keep your beer cold while lounging on the beach.