Salvador is an Afro-Brazilian
jewel. It’s a vibrant mixture of races and creeds, where smiles are everyday
currency. Salvador is the home of soul and rhythm and it is famous for its
colorful nightlife.
The center of the city is a
living museum of 17th- and 18th-century architecture and gold-laden churches.
In Salvador, you can find Wild
festivals happen frequently, with drums pounding out powerful rhythms against
the backdrop of colonial buildings.
At night, capoeira circles
form on plazas and open areas while the scent of the African delight food fills
the air.
In fact, there is no other
place in the world where descendants of African slaves have preserved their heritage
as well as in Salvador. It goes from music and religion, food, to dance and
martial-arts traditions.
If you are thinking
of spending a few days in this exciting city check out this list of Salvador’s
must-see hotspots.
The Pelourinho
It is a tourist
attraction that you should not miss. The heart of the old city is a veritable
postcard of Salvador. The wonderfully restored colored buildings are home to
amazing shopping, cultural centers, restaurants, bars and live music.
It was founded in
1594 by Portuguese settlers. In 1985, the Pelourinho was named a World Heritage
site. It has been a source of inspiration for musicians like Caetano Veloso, as
well as international like Paul Simon and Michael Jackson, who recorded scenes
of a video clip here.
Go to an Olodum Rehearsal
Another thing you
must do in Salvador is to enjoy an Olodum Rehearsal. It is a musical and
cultural activity. The Olodum band is a traditional Afro-Brazilian group that
is best known for their annual Carnaval Bloco.
The group hosts
shows and rehearsals year round, which will be an interesting trip for any
Afro-Brazilian music lover. The historic center is packed with people eating
and dancing on Tuesdays.
Arembepe Beach
Bahia is the home of
the most breathtaking natural paradises. The options are endless, but here is
where to start.
It is a trip about
30 km north of the city. This is a small hippie village, where the peace and
love generation still sell crafts and local products.
For animal lovers,
it is good to note that the beach is also home to sea turtle conservation
projects. From December to February you can witness baby turtles being released
into the ocean.
Praia do Forte
It is a true natural
paradise. Praia forte is an 8 km of
gorgeous beaches, here you will find
natural pools for snorkeling, ideal diving conditions, freshwater rivers
colliding with the sea and even some amazing warm-water surf beaches.
Boipeba
To get there, you
have to take a two-hour ferry. This is a small island with four villages, which
is a protected environmental area.
This place is home
to native Atlantic Rainforest, salt marshes, sand dunes, extensive mangroves,
live reefs, palm-tree and a marvelous fauna.
Salvador is a perfect
embodiment of the country, where it is possible to enjoy of history and nature.
It is perfect representation of mixing cultures.