Essential Salvador da Bahia

The city of happiness

Salvador da Bahia is located along the quite coasts of the All Saints Bay – the largest natural bay in the world – and is worldwide famous for its pretty and well preserved colonial historical center, for its many and beautiful tropical beaches and for its Carnival celebrations.

Valuable aspects characterizing the city are its friendly and peaceful people and the amazing music production, mainly based on rhythms and percussion sounds, that leads many musician from all over the world to visit Salvador for music lessons and in search of inspiration and new ideas.

Capoeira is a discipline originated from a fight tradition brought from African people and now adapted into a more choreographic dance performed at the rhythm of a traditional instrument known as "berimbau".

It’s immediate, once in Salvador, to recognize how the most distinctive and significant cultural aspects are heritage coming from the African ancestors and traditions of its people.

Because of this and of it’s population composed by 80% of African descendants, Salvador is considered the biggest African city outside of the African continent.

Salvador da Bahia was declared the first capital of the Portuguese colony in Brazil.

Slaves arrived in Salvador’s harbor from Angola, Benin, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Togo and many other coastal African lands occupied at the time by the Portuguese.

The city maintains a great African influence in its food, music, atmosphere, people and traditions.

The architectural jewel of the city is the colonial historical center, called Pelourinho, once (just a few years ago!) the poorest, most decadent and dangerous quarter in the city, and now a charming, bohemian and lovely area, very well restored and declared World Heritage by UNESCO.

There are so many churches in Salvador that it’s believed there are 365, one for each day of the year!

With its almost 3 millions inhabitants Salvador da Bahia, that locals call simply Bahia, is the third city of Brazil.

Despite the social problems common to the whole country, people’s peaceful and serene attitude, love for music and extroverted approach, vivid nightlife and patient days make Salvador da Bahia earn the nickname of "city of happiness", as by the lyrics of a famous Brazilian song.

We recommend to read some Jorge Amado’s novel before visiting the city, as he was the most representative writer of Bahia and published remarkable stories about Salvador and its people.

Those who visit usually feel the magic of the place and want to stay longer.

This is our experience too!

For a start we suggest two full days, at least!

You can’t miss the visit of Pelourinho, relaxing at the beach, a visit of the Bomfim’s church on the Ribera peninsula, tasting the famous Bahian food and of course … try the delicious tropical fruit cocktails!

Let us know if you are interested in visiting Bahia during its world famous Carnival, which has been listed in the Book of the Guinness as the biggest popular feast, or if you prefer renting an apartment.

Thanks to our base in Salvador we will be happy to help you with that!

Please do not hesitate to contact us for our tour information!