Insider’s Guide to Salvador, Brazil
Lar no Céu Penthouse owner Eamonn P. Dunphy is in love with Salvador, the former capital of Brazil where his rental is located. He sent us a short guide to the city that includes some info about the best times to visit, and some insider tips as to cool clubs and restaurants to frequent when in town. You can book Lar no Céu Penthouse here.
Salvador is a beautiful historic city with many colonial buildings and was the first capital of Brazil until 1763. Today, it is the third largest city in Brazil and the most dynamic city in the North-East.
It has a superb location on a peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of All Saints, with the Farol da Barra at the tip of the peninsula.
The Pelourinho is the colorful and well-preserved historic center, with excellent shopping during the day and many exciting restaurants and music spaces by night. Barra and Rio Vermelho are packed with restaurants, bars and clubs.
There is a line of beaches extending 20 km along the Atlantic from Barra to Itapuã, as well as a beautiful swimming beach (rated No. 3 in the world by the Guardian) in Porto da Barra. Trips to the many islands in the Bay and scuba diving are all easily available.
Salvador is renowned for its music and festivals. Samba had its origins here, and much of the night-life revolves around live music. There is a notable party every Tuesday in Pelourinho, with music in 4-6 different public music spaces. Friday evening has music and regional food in Porto da Barra.
Saturday evenings can start with cool jazz by the Bay in the grounds of the Modern Art Museum. Later, hang out at the very cool Casa da Mãe in Rio Vermelho, best Tuesday and Saturday. Afro-Brazilian culture finds its strongest expression here, in the music, the food, the traditional costumes, the religion, all of which are accessible and should be explored.
Carnaval in Salvador is the largest street party in the world, lasts 6 days and should be on everyone’s list to experience at least once. New Year’s Eve is also a huge party with fireworks and live music at the Farol, followed by Daniella Mercury’s sunset concert at the Farol on January 1.
Between New Year and Carnaval, there are nightly practice sessions of different music groups. In addition there are many spectacular traditional festivals including Lavagem de Bomfim (2nd Thursday of January, 8 km procession from Center to church of Bomfim), Festa de Yemanjá (February 2, offerings to orixá of sea in Rio Vermelho), Easter, June festivals (in Salvador, also in nearby interior towns, especially St John June 24 and St. Peter June 29), Festa da Boa Morte (August 12-15 in Cachoeira, 2 hrs away), Gay Parade (2nd Sunday in September), Festa de Santa Bárbara (December 4).
Hope to see you in Salvador very soon! Book Lar no Céu Penthouse via Boutique-Homes.com by clicking here.
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