Top Rated Attractions in Salvador

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 Bahia Marina is not just a place for those high-rollers with speedboats and yachts because it also functions as a concert venue. During the month, there are at least a couple of massive shows here. From popular local acts to more recognized national ones, there is usually a sound for everyone. The Bahia Marina also has some of the best restaurants in the city with views over the bay, some include Café do Forte, Soho, Das, Lafayette, Oui, Grand Cru and Ercolano. All of them have great options on their respective menus and they also have well-stocked bars where you can have a drink before the show.

The colonization and subsequent occupation of Brazil by Europeans over the last six centuries has somewhat of a sordid history, however this museum adds context to this tumult through the eyes of the Costa Pinto family. Although the structure was never inhabited by the Costa clan, the widow Costa donated his entire collection of silverwork, furniture, porcelain and other priceless objects to the museum. In addition to the permanent collections, there are three exhibition rooms: the conservation room which preserves historical documents, the cultural room which holds workshops and the educational center that provides information and accessibility.

The Teatro Miguel Santana hosts one of the most entertaining dance troupes on the planet, the Folkloric Ballet of Bahia. The dancers and music highlight the culture and traditions of the syncretic religion, Candomblé and the African diaspora in Brazil. The spectacle is colorful, somber and uplifting all at the same time. Additionally, the dancers also feature the martial-art/dance of Capoeira, where sinuous bodies jump and roll rhythmically to the sound of the drums. The show is definitely must-see for all visitors interested in the vibrant culture of Salvador.

The Castro Alves Theater opened in 1958 and since then it has seen almost every national star on its heralded stage. From Caetano Veloso to Gilberto Gil, many influential artists honed the Brazilian sound here. Today, it permanently houses the Symphonic Orchestra of Bahia and the Teatro Alves Ballet. The entire complex has three music stages, the Symphony Hall, Chorus Hall and Acoustic Bandshell (Concha Acústica). In addition to music, the theater hosts dance, film screenings, workshops and many more events. Call for more information or check website for details and show times.

Santo Antônio da Barra is a massive masonry fortification built on the Largo do Farol da Barra, the exact location where Governor Gonçalo Coelho first laid the stone cross for the Portuguese Crown or the Padrão. Today, it houses the Santo Antônio da Barra Nautical Museum and Barra Lighthouse, also known as the Farol da Barra. Over the centuries, the fort has undergone extensive renovations and additions; however, the views across All Saint's Bay remain unparalleled.