Salvador is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. In addition to its physical beauty, Salvador’s unique set of cultural qualities has made it a major international tourist destination. Famous for its history, the mixture of African, European and Indigenous cultures, its religious syncretism, and its hospitable people, the capital of Bahia has been the object of research and professional studies from various fields for many years.
Salvador, the capital of the state of Bahia, was Brazil’s capital until 1763. The city is divided into two parts: The Lower City, at sea level, includes the old port and commercial area, as well as the Mercado Modelo, where visitors will find a complete and varied selection of Brazilian arts and crafts. Capoeira, a martial art and dance developed by African slaves, is often performed behind the Mercado Modelo. The Elevador Lacerda, an elevator located across the street from the Mercado Modelo, takes people to the Upper City, where visitors will find stately government buildings, residential neighborhoods, museums, churches, as well as modern architecture.
Its rich cultural heritage, fascinating African-based music, and natural exuberance, gives Salvador a magic that needs to be felt rather than described.
A fusion of African, European, and Indigenous ethnicities, Salvador’s rich cultural identity and pluralist tradition are manifested and preserved in popular culture commonly found in the city’s neighborhoods. Among them are the following:
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- Capoeira: a martial-art type fight and dance, developed by slaves from Angola.
- Maculelê: Believed to have evolved from the African dance, cucumbi, a mix of dance and weapon-play, in which participants imitate blows by banging sticks at various steps to create a rhythm.
- Samba de Roda: A sensual dance of Angolan origin, where the central figure dances inside a circle of dancers.
- Reisado: The common name given to the small groups of dancers on the day of the Feast of Kings (January 6), which takes place in a neighborhood called Lapinha. Participants wear colorful clothing and beads.
- Candomblé: The most expressive of the African-Brazilian religions, Candomblé has gone through some changes over the centuries. An element of syncretism, it helped preserve key elements of African cultural identity in Brazil. Candomblé is directly linked to the forces of nature represented by gods and goddesses called orishas, who are the objects of special services and rituals.
Cuisine
Bahian cuisine is one of the richest and most diverse in the world. A mix of African, Portuguese, and Indigenous elements, the cuisine is aesthetically pleasing, fragrant, spicy, and extremely tasty. Palm oil or dendê, brought to Brazil with the African slave trade, is used to color and season the seafood and fish, abundant on the Bahia coast, to create the famous fish stew called moqueca, as well as a type of stuffing called vatapa and the okra-based caruru. Derivatives of cassava, also common, are Indigenous.
Beaches
Salvador has 50 kilometers of beautiful beaches. A walk along the Orla, a coast road that runs the length of the city, is an essential part of a visit to the capital. Do not miss:
Calm cool waters attract many visitors daily. It is often crowded on weekends because access is so easy.
Protected by reefs, the sea at low tide is calm, with several pools formed by the rocks. The infrastructure is excellent, including chairs and umbrellas available to rent.
With sports facilities and small pools carved out of the rocks, Ondina is an excellent choice for all ages. The neighborhood also includes the governor’s mansion called Palácio de Ondina, the city zoo, and high quality restaurants.
Located in one of the most populated districts of Salvador, the beaches at Pituba are the destination of many bathers on the weekends. The neighborhood boasts a huge variety of restaurants and bars.
A stretch of calm sea protected by reefs, Pituaçu has a wide expansion of sand that is great for walking, as well as a series of barracas, restaurants on the beach, that have an excellent infrastructure.
- Boca do Rio/ Praia dos Artistas
Bohemians, musicians, poets, and intellectuals frequent the beach at Boca do Rio. It boasts a beautiful coconut grove and a variety of athletic courts. The area also includes dozens of bars and restaurants.
The breathtaking scenery at Itapuã inspired Dorival Caymmi and Vinicius de Morais to write the music that makes Itapuã nationally famous. Calm waves and a beach protected by reefs, the beach at Itapuã is located in a local fishing village, which completes the scene with small boats and rafts.
While Stella Mares has calm stretches of beach and formation of pools, it also has rougher seas. It is the favorite of young crowds, especially on weekends.
Tourism Infrastructure
Hotels
Salvador has a hotel network of over 30,000 beds, including a diversity of high-end hotels of all categories. With the expansion of the tourism industry over the last thirty years, investment in hotels and inns of the city have turned Salvador’s hotel sector into one of the newest, most modern, and well-equipped in the country.
Airport
The modern facilities of the passenger terminal at the Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães, International Airport of Salvador, is now the third largest in Brazil, and is considered one of the most attractive and charming airports in the country.
Airport Network
Approximately 80 scheduled flights depart Salvador International Airport daily to state capitals and major cities in Brazil. In addition, about 47 international flights per week arrive from South America, North America and Europe, on airplanes that carry as many as 300 people per plane.
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