Planning a trip to Brazil but don’t know which state to visit? Discover the state of Bahia and where to stay in Salvador!
Salvador de Bahia, located on a peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the Baia de todos os Santos – the Bay of All Saints – is a Brazilian megalopolis with a population of 2,902,927 and 3.2 million in the metropolitan area. The former capital of Brazil (from 1549 to 1763) is a mosaic of cultures with multiple influences, inherited from the African, European and Amerindian influences that forged its identity. Once the economic and cultural heart of the country, Salvador today attracts tourists for its magnificent beaches, the beauty of its historic center – listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1985 – and for its carnival (the largest popular street carnival in the world). Salvador is reportedly less dangerous than its southern counterparts Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. As far as accommodation is concerned, hotels and homestays can be found at very low prices, even in the city center.
The city is divided into an upper part – the Cidade Alta – and a lower part, the Cidade Baixa. On the outskirts of the center, you’ll find multi-varied neighborhoods with strong social disparities (pavilions, favelas, luxury buildings, etc.). Here’s where to sleep in Salvador!
Centro
Perched on a rocky promontory along the western shores of the peninsula and on the edge of the Bay of All Saints(Baia de todos os Santos), Salvador de Bahia’s historic center is an open-air museum. It’s a colorful, popular district of streets and monuments dating back to the days of colonial Brazil (17th-19th centuries). Formerly a posh district, the Centro has become the vibrant heart of Afro-Brazilian cultural life, particularly in terms of music and capoeira. On the Largo do Pelourinho, you’ll see a splendid square that masks a painful past: this was the site of black slave punishments when the slave trade was in full swing. The Terreiro de Jesus, the Praça da Sé, numerous palaces and monuments (Casa de Camara, the Rio Branco Palace, the façade of the Solar Ferrão, numerous churches, etc.) are not to be missed.
The area boasts many historic buildings, lively bars and terraces, and street percussion concerts. Every Tuesday evening, the neighborhood party is held on Terreiro de Jesus or Largo do Pelourinho. Samba is played and danced. All in all, the central district is very festive and popular with night owls, making it the place to stay in Salvador if you love parties, music and culture.
Find a hotel in the historic center
Find an Airbnb in the historic center
Rio Vermelho
Photo credit: Flickr – mendesrocha
Nestled between the districts of Amarnath and Ondina, Rio Vermelho – which means « red river » – is described as one of the most beautiful districts in Salvador. -is described as one of Salvador’s most beautiful neighborhoods. Located by the ocean – on the south side of the peninsula – it’s a vibrant, active and festive popular district, a pleasant area in which to stay in Salvador. A bohemian atmosphere is revealed to visitors who, after attending (or dancing to) a street samba concert, can go and taste the traditional « acajerés de Cira », a Brazilian specialty, in the many taverns and gargotes in the district.
Find a hotel in Rio Vermelho
Find an Airbnb in Rio Vermelho
Barra
Photo credit: Flickr – Patrick G
Barra is a neighborhood located in the southern part of Salvador. Barra is one of the city’s most traditional neighborhoods, and is also one of the most popular for tourists, with many attractions, such as the Barra lighthouse (Farol da Barra), Morro do Cristo park, and the beaches of Farol da Barra and Porto da Barra. Barra boasts a wide range of beaches, stores, cafés, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, residences, fitness clubs, banks, parks, events and historical monuments. It’s a great place to stay in Salvador if you’re looking for a mix of beach relaxation and activity.
Find a hotel in Barra
Find an Airbnb in Barra
Graça
Photo credit: Flickr – Tiago Munch
Luxury accommodation in Salvador? Graça is an affluent, residential and middle-class district of Salvador, for those who want all the comforts of the West. Located to the south of the peninsula and the center, not far from the Museum of Modern Art, the Graça district is a singular mix of colonial buildings and picturesque winding streets. The main artery, rua da Graça, winds through the district between Largo da Vitoria and Largo de Graça.
Find a hotel in Graça
Find an Airbnb in Graça
Map of hotels and accommodation – Salvador,br