Bahia Essentials

Bahia showcases Brazil's colonial history and Afro-Brazilian culture. Salvador’s Pelourinho district features UNESCO-listed Portuguese architecture and the gold-laden São Francisco Church. The city is connected by the Art Deco Elevador Lacerda, linking the historic upper town with the Mercado Modelo. Beyond the capital, the state offers the sea turtle conservation center of Projeto Tamar in Praia do Forte, the crystalline waters of Poço Encantado in Chapada Diamantina, and the secluded, reef-protected shores of Praia do Espelho.

Bahia Essentials — Map

[2] / CC BY 2.0

A

Historic Centre of Salvador de Bahia

The Historic Center or Centre of Salvador de Bahia in Brazil, also known as the Pelourinho or Pelo, is a historic neighborhood in western…

Adelano Lázaro / CC BY-SA 4.0

B

Elevator Lacerda

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

[2] / CC BY 2.0

C

São Francisco Church and Convent of Salvador

The São Francisco Church and Convent of Salvador is located in the historical centre of Salvador, in the State of Bahia, Brazil.

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.

Antônio Júnior / CC-BY-SA-3.0

F

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.

Leonardo de Morais Soares

G

Projeto Tamar - Centro de Visitantes da Praia do Forte

Sea turtle conservation and research center featuring observation tanks, interactive exhibits, and environmental education programs focused on protecting endangered marine species along the Brazilian coast.

Claus Bunks / Public domain

H

Morro de Sao Paulo

A 19th-century lighthouse built in 1855, offering panoramic views of the Tinharé Island coastline and the surrounding Atlantic waters.

I

Poço Encantado

Poço Encantado is a cave located near the Chapada Diamantina National Park.

Adtormena / CC BY-SA 4.0

J

Praia do Espelho

A coastal stretch characterized by white cliffs and natural pools that form during low tide, creating a reflective mirror effect on the water's surface.

Sitenl / Public domain

K

Rio Branco Palace

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

Sailko / CC BY 3.0

L

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…

[2] / CC BY 2.0

M

Cathedral Basilica of Salvador

The Cathedral Basilica of Salvador, officially dedicated to the Transfiguration of Christ and named Primatial Cathedral Basilica of the…

Matti Blume / GFDL

N

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.

Other Lists

Hidden Gems of Salvador Best Beaches and Coastal Sights Museums and Galleries Cultural Heritage of Salvador Historic Churches of Bahia Markets and Shopping Natural Wonders of Bahia