# PELOURINHO DISTRICT 7 
The Pelourinho District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its colorful colonial architecture, vibrant music, and rich Afro-Brazilian culture.
It’s the heart of Salvador’s historic center, with cobblestone streets, lively squares, and numerous museums, galleries, and churches.
City District 🌎 World Heritage Site: since 1985
by Francesco Bandarin / CC BY-SA 3.0
# UPPER CITY 6
Cidade Alta
Cidade Alta, or Upper City, offers stunning views of the All Saints Bay and holds many of Salvador’s important historical buildings. It’s accessible by the iconic Elevador Lacerda, which connects the upper and lower parts of the city.
This area houses government buildings, the beautiful Praça da Sé, and is a center for cultural heritage.
City District 🌎 World Heritage Site: since 1985
by Paul R. Burley / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Convent of Santa Teresa and the Museum of Sacred Art 6
Convento de Santa Teresa and Museu de Arte Sacra
Located in an old convent, the Museum of Sacred Art of Santa Teresa showcases a unique collection of sacred works, including statues, paintings, and religious artifacts from colonial Brazil.
The convent itself is an architectural gem from the 17th century, adding historical depth to the exhibits.
by Wellington Da Costa Gomez / CC BY-SA 4.0
# Sao Francisco Church and Convent 6
Igreja and Convento de São Francisco
The São Francisco Church and Convent is one of Brazil’s most stunning examples of baroque architecture, featuring elaborate gold leaf interiors and intricate azulejos (blue tiles) that depict religious scenes.
Built in the 18th century, it’s known for its opulent decoration and is often regarded as the finest church in Brazil. This site is a masterpiece of colonial art and religious symbolism.
by Lazaroagmenezes / CC BY-SA 4.0
# Church of the Third Order of Mount Carmel 6
Igreja da Ordem Terceira do Carmo
Built by a lay religious order in the 18th century, the Church of the Third Order of Mount Carmel (Igreja da Ordem Terceira do Carmo) is known for its elegant facade and beautiful wooden interiors.
It’s a fine example of rococo design, with artwork and carvings that reflect Salvador’s colonial religious life.
by Filipo Tardim / CC BY-SA 4.0
# Church of the Third Order of Saint Francis 5 
Igreja da Ordem Terceira de São Francisco
The Igreja da Ordem Terceira de São Francisco in Salvador is a Baroque church known for its ornate Rococo facade and intricate gilded interior, including azulejo tile panels. Built in the 18th century, this UNESCO-listed site showcases Portugal’s colonial influence in Brazilian architecture.
by Paul R. Burley / CC BY-SA 4.0
# Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim 5
Igreja do Senhor do Bonfim
Igreja do Senhor do Bonfim is one of Brazil’s most famous churches, dedicated to the Lord of Bonfim and celebrated for the Lavagem do Bonfim festival, where colorful ribbons tied by visitors represent wishes and prayers.
Its neoclassical style and connection to Afro-Brazilian religious traditions make it a symbol of Bahia’s spiritual heritage.
by Paul R. Burley / CC BY-SA 4.0
# Lacerda Elevator 5
Elevador Lacerda
Elevador Lacerda is a striking Art Deco elevator connecting Salvador’s Cidade Baixa (Lower City) and Cidade Alta (Upper City), offering panoramic views of the bay and harbor. Built in 1873, it’s both a transport facility and a popular tourist attraction with an impressive 72-meter drop.
by Paul R. Burley / CC BY-SA 4.0
Cathedral Basilica of Salvador 5
Catedral Basílica de Salvador
The Cathedral of Salvador, built in the 17th century, is a Baroque masterpiece with gold-plated altars and opulent colonial architecture, originally serving as a Jesuit church. Its impressive design and historical significance make it one of Salvador's architectural highlights.
by Paul R. Burley / CC BY-SA 4.0
#10 | Beaches 5
Beaches in Salvador da Bahia offer a mix of vibrant city beaches and more serene, natural coastlines, providing a wide variety of experiences.
Porto da Barra Beach is famed for its clear waters and sunset views, popular among locals and tourists alike. Flamengo Beach is more secluded, lined with coconut palms and calmer waters, ideal for relaxation. Stella Maris is known for its surfing waves, lively beach bars, and youthful crowd.
Beyond their natural beauty, Salvador's beaches host events, local vendors, and are central to the city's Afro-Brazilian culture.
Beach Water Temperature: all year 25–28° C
by Paul R. Burley / CC BY-SA 4.0
#11 | Misericórdia Museum 5
Museu da Misericórdia
This museum, located in a former hospital built by the Brotherhood of Mercy in the 17th century, showcases artifacts and art that highlight Salvador's colonial history, including religious and medical items.
by Adam Jones Adam63 / CC BY-SA 3.0
#12 | Carlos Costa Pinto Museum 5
Museu Carlos Costa Pinto
The Carlos Costa Pinto Museum features an impressive collection of Brazilian decorative arts, including jewelry, silverware, and porcelain, focusing on the lifestyle of the Brazilian elite from the 18th and 19th centuries.
by Cramunhao / CC BY-SA 4.0
#13 | Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of the Blacks 5
Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos
Built by and for enslaved Africans in the 17th century, this church, also known as Our Lady of the Rosary of the Black People, is a significant cultural and religious site with a unique blend of Catholic and Afro-Brazilian traditions. The vibrant blue façade and rich ornamentation make it a key destination for both worship and tourism.
by Paul R. Burley / CC BY-SA 4.0
Ilha dos Frades 6
Ilha dos Frades (Isle of the Friars), a small island in the Baía de Todos os Santos near Salvador, offers pristine beaches, lush forests, and clear blue waters, making it a tranquil escape from the city.
Visitors can reach Ilha dos Frades by boat in about 50 minutes, and once there, enjoy activities like snorkeling, hiking, and exploring local seafood restaurants.
Island Distance from Salvador da Bahia: 26 km
by SCamargos / CC BY-SA 4.0
Itaparica Peninsula 6
The Itapagipe Peninsula in Salvador, Brazil, is a picturesque area known for its calm beaches, historic architecture, and vibrant community life, where residents and tourists enjoy waterfront views and colonial-era structures.
Peninsula Distance from Salvador da Bahia: 30 km
by Fspbrito / CC BY-SA 4.0