Salvador (map) is the capital of the state of Bahia. With a charming *Historic Center of Salvador (a World Heritage Site), a vibrant musical scene and popular Carnaval celebrations, it is considered one of the birthplaces of Brazilian culture. It is the biggest city in the Northeast region, and was the first capital of Brazil.

To understand Salvador you need to be open minded; there are millions of tourists every year flocking to Salvador to enjoy in its beaches. Parts are best explored on foot, such as dense historical areas including the Pelourinho (map) and the Lacerda Lift (map), the first urban lift in the world, and the Mercado Central.

The old city center can be easily explored on foot. To get between the upper and lower sections, take the Elevador Lacerda or the cable car, remember to take small change. The streets between the two are considered dangerous even during the day.

 !  Salvador is notorious for street crime, and for a tourist that wanders carelessly in the streets, the likelihood of a mugging or armed robbery is considerably higher than in São Paulo and perhaps even Rio de Janeiro.

A 100-m cliff runs along the entire bayshore, dividing the city into Cidade Alta (map), up on the cliff, and the Cidade Baixa down by the bay. The former features Pelourinho, the old city center that packs historical sites, colonial architecture, museums, restaurants, bars, hostels, artisanal shops, and music/dance/capoeira academies into a convenient, albeit tourist-swarmed, set of winding cobblestone streets.

Outside of this area, there are many beach districts that stretch from the tip of the peninsula northeast along the Atlantic coast.

At the center of the Cidade Alta there are the two large squares Praça da Sé and the Terreiro de Jesus (map) which are connected at the corner by the cathedral (map). The latter is probably the most lively part of town, with food carts and stalls through the day and revealers in the evening hours.

Largo do Pelourinho (map). 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.

Mercado Modelo (map). The city’s main market located in the lower town is and a good place for crafts and other souvenirs. In the adjacent square you can often see young men performing capoeira, the famous martial arts dance which originates from the area.

Igreja do Nosso Senhor do Bonfim (map). A small church located in a neighborhood to the north, is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in all of Brazil.

Most visitors head for the coastal neighbourhoods that cluster around where the bay meets the ocean. Salvador, Brazil has a tropical climate including rainforests and lush vegetation.

One of the main attractions in Salvador is the Carnaval (*Bahian Carnival). 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.

With lots of sun and heat throughout the year, your concern as a tourist will just escape the rainy season, which lasts from April to June.

How to get to Salvador? (salvadordabahia.com)

City buses, as in other Brazilian cities, are constant and confusing. If you are trying to make your way out of Pelourinho, you can either take the Elevador Lacerda down to the Comercio and find buses for just about every route, or walk to the Praca da Sé bus stop just south of the elevator.

Guichê Virtual is an online platform that allows you to search and book bus tickets for various destinations in Brazil. It covers a wide range of bus companies and provides a user-friendly interface for planning your bus travels.

⇒ The bus schedule for the urban passenger transport service in large and small cities can be consulted on the website ⇒ Horario de Onibus

BUS: Brazil Bus Travel – specializes in bus travel in Brazil. Green Toad Bus – knows that booking local transport and activities around South America can be challenging and confusing at times. Busca Ônibus is a useful resource for finding bus schedules.

TRAIN: The Companhia Brasileira de Trens Urbanos (CBTU) is the official website of the Brazilian Urban Trains Company. + vale.com / Serra Verde Express

AIRPORT: Salvador’s Deputado Luis Eduardo Magalhães International Airport (map). is one of Brazil’s main airports. All of the biggest Brazilian airlines have flights to the Bahian capital city. The city also receives flights from the main hubs of Europe, South America and the United States. There is a subway station easily reached by a free bus shuttle from the terminal.

Most all airports with regular passenger traffic are operated by the federal – Infraero. They have a very convenient website, with an English version. By far, the largest international airport in Brazil: São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport • Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport

FERRY: Amazon Explorers is a tour operator specializing in boat trips and river transport in the Amazon region. Paraty Tours is a tourism company in Paraty, a coastal town in Rio de Janeiro state. + CCR Barcas (Rio de Janeiro) • Internacional Marítima (Bahia).

CASA SALVADOR: primeiro espaço do Brasil destinado, exclusivamente, a projetos de conteúdo para a plataforma do YouTube e maior Hub de geração de conteúdo do nordeste! Uma Casa preparada para ser um pólo de inovação em linguagem de internet, com múltiplas formatações de seus espaços para montagem de estúdios e sets de gravação. A Casa Salvador é um espaço tech onde convergem os mais destacados players.

⇒ video source: Salvador / youtube.com /

Visas are required for foreigners to enter and stay in the Brazilian territory for any period of time. Special Visa Categories.

Eventbrite is a platform that allows you to discover and book tickets for a wide range of events happening in Brazil.

Brazil Bus Travel is a website that specializes in bus travel in Brazil. Search for bus routes, schedules, fares, and book tickets online.