Salvador

Salvador

Salvador in Bahia (Brazil)

Salvador da Bahia

Salvador da Bahia is the capital of the State of the same name and is the state with the greatest African influence in Brazil. It is a magical city with fantastic beaches of white sands and transparent waters. It was founded in 1549 and is full of old buildings.

It was considered for more than 300 years as the most important city of Brazil and the second of the Portuguese Empire, after Lisbon. The carnival of Bahia is world famous and every year there are millions of tourists who visit the place to enjoy it to the fullest. The Bahians are "afro" in their music and their dance, in the fiestas and rituals; also in the way of dressing, its gastronomy and its religiosity. The Bahians are polytheistic and tolerant. Many are devotees of Senhor do Bonfim, others of Oxum. Some worship the saints and others worship the Orixás.

What to do in Salvador

Crystal clear beaches, valuable historical remains and a fascinating network of diverse cultures serve as a backdrop for the huge list of tourist attractions to see in Salvador de Bahia. The coasts and the center of the city surprise tourists at every step, the combination of cultures of European, Amerindian and African origin is expressed in the unique Bahian gastronomy, the eclectic architecture and the magnificent crafts found in every corner of the city. the city. To this is added the great urban infrastructure proper to its status as the third Brazilian city in population.

• Tour of the Pelourinho

Declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, it corresponds to the old town, a magical area where colorful colonial architecture, baroque temples and narrow cobblestone streets rise and fall through its rugged geography.

Numerous historical buildings, street dance performances, rhythms of drums in the squares, dozens of bars and artistic centers, end by making the Pelourinho a dream space that mixes the rich heritage of past times with a vibrant current cultural life.

• Bahia beaches

With 50 kilometers of white sands, Salvador has one of the most extensive coasts in the country. From Inema to Flamengo, there are several beaches that are distributed between the lower city (bathed by the endless Bay of All Saints) and the upper city (Atlantic waters). The tropical temperature of the water, the magnificent maritime landscapes and the lively cultural activities characterize the Bahian coast. The Puerto de la Barra is one of the most attractive beaches of Salvador, since it is the only one of the high city located on the Bay of All Saints. Praia do Forte, far from the center, dazzles with its ecological riches.

• The famous Bahia Carnival

Among the famous carnivals of Brazil, the one in Bahia occupies an incomparable place for its picturesque traditions and its cheerful and unbridled spirit. The Brazilians themselves consider it the funniest carnival in Brazil, and no wonder: the celebration covers 25 kilometers of street where the "electric trios" are followed by about two million people jumping and dancing to the music. Party lovers can not miss the opportunity to travel to Bahia in February, the month of Carnival.

• Walks through the "Praça da Sé"

One of the preferred pedestrian promenades in the center of the Upper City is the "Praça da Sé", connected to the "Terreiro de Jesus" through the Cathedral. This area is not only the gateway to the historic "Pelourinho", but also enjoys a lively cultural and commercial life in its many shops and food venues.

• Sunsets at "the Solar do Unhão"

The best sunset of Salvador can be appreciated from this complex of colonial architecture, located in the Bay of All Saints. Inside the old construction works a small Museum of Modern Art and a restaurant of excellent typical food. Jazz concerts are offered on Saturday nights.

• Ecology in the "Parque Abaeté"

Around Lake Abaeté (famous for the chromatic contrast of its dark waters with the white dunes) vigorous natural beauties are displayed, preserved by the State as protected areas. The Park is located in the Itapuã neighborhood of Salvador, and in addition to its fascinating biodiversity it has an entertainment area with bars where you can enjoy good music.

• The architectural richness of the churches

Salvador is a city of great religious roots, as evidenced by the large number of churches and ancient chapels that are distributed in its territory. The inescapable temples are the Cathedral of Salvador, a majestic example of Mannerist architecture with more than 300 years old; the Church of Nosso.

"Senhor do Bonfim" on the peninsula of "Itapagipe", richly decorated neoclassical; and the Convent of San Francisco, one of the churches of greater magnificence in the country, of luxurious Baroque style.

• Shopping in the Model Market

The most colorful of the Bahian traditions is found in this huge market of almost a century of life, full of art and craft shops, as well as some typical bars and restaurants.

• Lacerda Elevator

Emblematic point of the city, this public elevator was created in the nineteenth century by engineer Augusto Frederico de Lacerda. With its 72 meters of height, the elevator connects the High City with the Low City, being located in the strategic Praça Cayru of the district of Comércio. From its height you get fabulous views of the Bay and the Model Market.

• The Island of Itaparica

A nice boat ride leads to ltarapica, a beautiful island near Bahia and full of colonial charms in harmony with paradisiacal beaches. The island hosts two municipalities, Itaparica and Vera Cruz, both known for their tourist excellence. Its healing waters and beautiful coral reefs make the coast of Itaparica one of the favorite destinations for an excursion from Salvador de Bahía.

Food in Salvador

The people of Bahia are fed by rich heritages that define the unique character of their culture. Gastronomy is one of the arts where this eclectic heritage of Salvador de Bahia is reflected. Culinary traditions brought by the Portuguese settlers are integrated with the flavors of the African ethnic groups that arrived during the slavery era and with the millenary customs of the indigenous people of the region. The result is a kitchen full of color, very spicy and with intense flavors, based on techniques that keep secrets even for the most seasoned gourmets.

The "moqueca" is the typical dish of Salvador, an exotic preparation of seafood and fish with coconut milk, multiple spices and dandé oil. This oil, obtained from the palm tree "dandezeiro", is a traditional ingredient of the Bahian cuisine, introduced by the Africans. Another infallible complement in the good table of Bahia is the farinha, a special type of flour of indigenous origin, used as an accompaniment to most regional dishes.

The crab meat served in its shell is called "casquinha de siri", and is another authentic delicacy of Bahian cuisine. Also very popular is the "acarajé", a sandwich traditionally sold by the bahianas in the streets and beaches of the city. It is another specialty with African roots, a kind of bun with mash of beans, stuffed with shrimp and fried in palm oil. The Portuguese legacy can be enjoyed in the delicious beef with rice and beans, as well as the tasty sardines and cod.

The sweet note comes from the hand of the famous "cocadas", dessert based on coconut, milk and sugar that can be consumed in various presentations. This fruit delight is offered in any corner of Bahia.

In addition to the numerous and picturesque street food stalls, Bahia offers a huge range of gastronomic places where you can enjoy their native dishes and select international menus. There are classic bars installed on the beaches for a snack or even lunch while enjoying the sun. There are also excellent restaurants - from simple, old-fashioned venues to sophisticated restaurants - that make up one of the most celebrated gastronomic panoramas in the country.
Whatever place you choose to eat in Bahia, you will have access to more than a gastronomic experience, to a true multicultural experience.

Climate in Salvador

Salvador is a beach destination that can be used throughout the year. Bahia enjoys a warm and quite humid tropical climate, with high temperatures and little variable in the different seasons. Thanks to the proximity of the ocean and the winds that influence the city, the climate in Salvador de Bahía does not present extreme thermal sensations and can be enjoyed in multiple activities throughout the day. The warm weather of Salvador is complemented by a large number of hours of sunshine per year which allows the wide enjoyment of its beaches.

From December to March -the summer months- the highest temperatures are recorded, in the average of 30ºC. This is the high season of tourism in Salvador, since it coincides with school holidays in Brazil and that is when the main celebrations of the city take place. However, we can say that there is no real low season since between April and November the influx of tourists is high due to the pleasant temperatures (the lowest temperature in July is about 20 ºC) and the operability of the tourist services during the whole year.

Rains reach approximately 200 millimeters per year, with summer being the driest season and May or June the months with the most rainfall. The area is free of tropical cyclones and tornadoes.