Hidden Gems of Salvador

Salvador’s landscape is defined by its colonial architecture and deep Afro-Brazilian roots. This collection features the 17th-century Barra Lighthouse, the Art Deco Elevador Lacerda connecting the Upper and Lower cities, and the historic Mercado Modelo. Religious landmarks include the Igreja do Bonfim, famous for its iconic ribbons, and the 18th-century Rosário dos Pretos. Cultural institutions like the Afro-Brazilian Museum and the Jorge Amado House preserve the region's literary and social history, while coastal forts like São Marcelo and Santa Maria highlight the city's strategic maritime past.

Hidden Gems of Salvador — Karte

Sitenl / Public domain

A

Rio Branco Palace

The Rio Branco Palace is a palace and former seat of government in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

Antônio Júnior / CC-BY-SA-3.0

B

Mercado Modelo

A traditional shopping mall and one of the oldest of its kind is located right next to the Elevator Lacerda and faces the All Saints Bay.

Adelano Lázaro / CC BY-SA 4.0

C

Elevator Lacerda

The beautifully restored Art Deco elevator belongs to the main sights of the city.

Bob Jones / CC BY-SA 2.0

D

Barra Lighthouse

A true landmark of Salvador. This 22-meter high lighthouse was built in the 17th century to shine its signals to passing ships to help them…

Sailko / CC BY 3.0

E

Igreja do Bonfim

The Church of Our Lord of Bonfim is the most famous of the Catholic churches of Salvador, in the State of Bahia, Brazil.

Sailko / CC BY 3.0

F

Afro-Brasileira Museum

The Afro-Brazilian Museum in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, was inaugurated on 7 January 1982 by the then Director of the Center for Afro…

SCamargos / CC BY-SA 4.0

G

Frades Island

Ilha dos Frades is an island in the Bay of All Saints. It is administered as part of the city of Salvador in the state of Bahia.

H

Porto da Barra Beach

Porto da Barra Beach is located in Barra neighborhood in the city of Salvador, Brazil.

Sailko / CC BY 3.0

I

Nossa Senhora da Conceicao da Praia Church

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, or the Basilica of the Conception, is a church in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

Fotos Gov/Ba / CC BY 2.0

J

Santo Antonio da Barra Fort and Nautic Museum

A majestic fort with a lighthouse and an amazing well run nautic museum, this place is a must visit for anyone visiting Salvador.

Waltson Campos / CC BY-SA 3.0

K

Museum of Modern Art

The Museum of Modern Art of Bahia is a modern art museum located in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

Matti Blume / GFDL

L

Jorge Amado House

A non-governmental organization with an aim of preserving the works of Jorge Amado and the Bahian art and literature in general.

André Urel / CC BY-SA 4.0

M

Igreja NS do Rosário dos Pretos

The Church of the Third Order of Our Lady of the Rosary of the Black People is an 18th-century Roman Catholic church in Salvador, Bahia,…

N

Sao Marcelo do Mar Fort

São Marcelo Fort, also known as Forte de Nossa Senhora do Pópulo e São Marcelo or Forte do Mar, is located in Salvador in Bahia, Brazil.

ME/Portal da Copa / CC BY 3.0 br

O

Terreiro de Jesus

A historic site of religious celebrations, the square is surrounded by four churches and in its center, it boasts a fountain with a statue…

Roberto Viana/AGECOM / CC BY 2.0

P

Escola Olodum

Olodum is a bloco-afro from Salvador's carnival, in Bahia, Brazil. It was founded by the percussionist Neguinho do Samba.

Cramunhao / CC BY-SA 4.0

Q

Carlos Costa Pinto Museum

This museum focuses on protecting the Brazilian nature, educating people and promoting various cultures. Worth visiting.

Agecom Bahia / CC BY 2.0

R

Rodin Bahia Arts Palace

The Museu Rodin Bahia is a museum devoted to the works of Auguste Rodin, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

mathplourde / CC BY 2.0

S

Forte de Santa Maria

Forte de Santa Maria was built in the 17th century and it is located near Porto da Barra beach.

Sailko / CC BY-SA 4.0

T

Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia

Located in the historic building of Brazil's first medical school, this university museum displays indigenous artifacts, pre-colonial ceramics, and ethnographic collections exploring the diverse cultural heritage of Bahia's populations.