Best Beaches and Coastal Sights

Bahia's coastline features a diverse range of maritime sites, from the 17th-century circular São Marcelo Fort in Salvador's harbor to the remote, car-free village of Caraíva. This selection includes the historic Coroa Vermelha, site of Brazil's first mass in 1500, and the cliff-backed shores of Arraial d'Ajuda. Visitors can explore natural pools formed by offshore reefs at Praia do Espelho and Guarajuba, or visit urban beaches like Porto da Barra, situated near Salvador’s historic fortifications.