Discover Salvador: Culture, Cuisine & Music in Brazilian Bahia - 6 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Salvador, Evening in Rio Vermelho

Welcome to Salvador, the capital of the northeastern coastal state of Bahia. Upon arrival at the airport, take a taxi to your hotel in the city center. Once settled in at your hotel, spend the afternoon exploring Salvador at your leisure. The city is known as a center of Afro-Brazilian culture and is famous for its unique cuisine, music, and architecture. Salvador was founded in 1549 as the first capital of colonial Brazil, making it one of the oldest cities in the Americas and one of the first planned cities in the world. Whatever you decide to do, ensure you're rested for this evening's festivities.

Tonight is your chance to party like a Bahian. In the evenings, locals head to the southern beach neighborhood of Rio Vermelho, which is affectionately referred to as the Bairro Boemio (Bohemian Quarter.) This lively area is home to bars, restaurants, and botecos, informal spots to meet for drinks. There are also countless places to enjoy great Bahian street food and many bars with live music. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a four-hour celebration where you'll try local street food, visit a boteco, enjoy the live music, and dance along the waterfront. 

Day 2: Pelourinho Walking Tour, Bahia Art Tour

Meet your guide bright and early for a walking tour of Salvador's historic downtown and the Pelourinho district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to Latin America's most extensive collection of colonial buildings. Walk along cobblestone streets surrounded by houses in pastel colors, visit the exuberant São Francisco Church, and see the Cathedral of Salvador's Rococo refinement. Then, continue to the Lacerda Elevator, which transports passengers to the Lower Town below, where the tour ends. You'll have time to continue exploring on your own and discover the perfect place to have lunch.

 

In the afternoon, you'll visit landmarks, museums, and galleries showcasing the artwork of masters like novelist Jorge Amado, artist Carybé, and photographer Pierre Verger on this guided tour. Their works documented daily life in Salvador, showcasing the markets, street scenes, and religious traditions that make Bahia such a beautiful culture. The tour begins in Río Vermelho at Amado's former home, now a museum showcasing his work. Then, see Carybé's art in the 17th-century São Diogo Fort. Porto da Barra Beach is home to a permanent exhibition highlighting Verger's iconic black and white photographs. 

Day 3: Full-Day Cachoeira Cultural Tour

Today's trip takes you back in time to the Brazil of yesteryear. A driver will be waiting to take you northwest, where you'll have a stop at a busy country market in Santo Amaro. In this traditional fruit and vegetable marketplace, little has changed over the years, and it remains perenially popular with locals. Continue your drive west through rolling hills to the UNESCO-listed town of Cachoeira, the jewel of the Bahian hinterland nestled in the valley of the Rio Paraguaçu.

The town's importance goes beyond its architectural wealth— it's also home to a thriving culture grounded in African traditions and visible in its local art and sculptures. After lunch, take a walking tour of the town and browse local woodcarving stores. Cross the western bank of the river and visit Dannemann, a cigar company, where you can see world-class cigars being expertly rolled. Afterward, your driver will take you back to Salvador.

Day 4: Salvador Market Tour, Brazilian Cooking Class & Free Afternoon 

In Salvador, there are few better ways to immerse yourself in the city than by visiting its municipal markets. The São Joaquim Fair is the largest such market in the town, and you'll have an opportunity to tour this massive labyrinth of merchant stalls, produce vendors, and food purveyors. Rub shoulders with locals doing their daily shopping, try a fresh fruit suco (juice), or purchase authentic Bahian souvenirs. The market is also where you can find all the ingredients necessary to prepare Bahia's signature dish—moqueca—a rich seafood stew made with cilantro, lime, garlic, coconut milk, and dendê (red palm) oil.

After the market, you'll visit a local restaurant for a cooking demonstration in which the chef prepares this dish right before you. After enjoying this authentic meal, you'll have the remainder of the day free. You could enjoy the spectacular beaches of the coastal region near Salvador, such as Costa dos Coqueiros or Costa do Dende. Tour various artisan workshops in the city center or attend one of the many cultural, artistic, and musical events that often occur throughout the city.

Day 5: Full-Day Schooner Bay Cruise

Savor your final full day in Salvador with an island cruise. This morning, you'll be transferred to the pier at the city passenger terminal to board a typical Brazilian schooner. From here, sail to two of the 50 islands in Baía de Todos os Santos (All Saint's Bay) for a day of relaxation with great city views. Your first stop is Ilha dos Frades (Monk's Island), about two hours away. Virtually uninhabited, the island is home to some of the best beaches in the bay. Stop at the beautiful sands of Ponta da Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, where you'll have ample time to swim, snorkel, or just relax on the beach.

Those wishing to climb the steps to the tiny Guadalupe will be rewarded with fantastic bay views. Then continue sailing for 45 minutes to the larger Ilha de Itaparica for lunch. Explore hidden coves and grottoes before returning to the schooner, and you'll set off for Salvador on the bay's eastern shore, arriving late afternoon with the sunset flooding the city coastline in golden hues. You'll be met and transferred to your hotel upon arrival at the pier.

Enjoy a real send-off as you experience the vibrant Brazilian culture with another visit to Salvador's historic Pelourinho neighborhood. You'll witness the captivating performances of Olodum, a renowned percussion band. Taking place at Largo da Tieta, these events occur throughout the year and offer an unforgettable experience. For a more immersive and hands-on activity, join one of Salvador's Axé music percussion classes or workshops for beginners, and learn the rhythms that pulse through the heart of Bahian and Brazilian culture.

Return to your hotel, and at the appointed time, your driver will take you to the airport for your departing flight. Safe travels!

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