--- title: "Salvador da Bahia, The Heart of Afro-Brazil" description: "Brazil's first capital, privately guided: the UNESCO Pelourinho, a Bahian food tour, capoeira and day trips into the Recôncavo and to Itaparica." url: https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/destinations/salvador/ language: en --- ![Colourful colonial houses of the Pelourinho old town in Salvador, Bahia](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/images/destinations/salvador-hero.webp) # Salvador da Bahia, Private Tours The Heart of Afro-Brazil Brazil's first capital and the beating heart of Afro-Brazilian culture. Two to three privately guided days: the UNESCO Pelourinho and its museums, a Bahian food tour, an authentic capoeira taster, day trips into the Recôncavo and to Itaparica, and a beach finish at Praia do Forte. [Request This Trip](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/destinations/salvador/#plan) [View Itinerary](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/destinations/salvador/#itinerary) [Book a call](https://calendly.com/authenticbraziltravel-info/30min?utm_source=website&utm_medium=destination-hero&utm_content=%2Fdestinations%2Fsalvador%2F) - 2-3 days, extendable - Boutique stays in the historic Old Town - Pelourinho & museums · Capoeira taster · Bahian cuisine Duration 2-3 days, extendable Accommodation Boutique stays in the historic Old Town Highlights Pelourinho & museums · Capoeira taster · Bahian cuisine ## The Heart of Afro-Brazil Salvador is unlike anywhere else in Brazil. The country's first capital and, for centuries, the main port of the colony, it grew into the beating heart of Afro-Brazilian culture, and it still is. Capoeira circles turn on street corners, Olodum drums carry down from the hills, candomblé traditions run deep, and the Bahian kitchen of acarajé, moqueca and dendê palm oil is a world of its own. We suggest two to three unhurried, privately guided days to do the city justice. That's time enough for the cobbled streets and baroque churches of the UNESCO-listed Pelourinho, its museums of Afro-Brazilian history and art, and the magnificent Bahian cuisine, and, if you'd like, an authentic capoeira taster session with a local mestre, part martial art, part dance, wholly Bahian. With a day or two more, the region opens up: the colonial river towns of the Recôncavo at Cachoeira and São Félix, the quilombo community of Tereré and the beaches of Itaparica Island across the bay, or the wind-sculpted dunes of Santo Antônio and a gentle kayak down the Imbassaí where it runs behind the sand. When the city has worked its magic, we round the trip off up the coast at Praia do Forte, a laid-back fishing village made for slow beach days before you fly home. - UNESCO Pelourinho - Capoeira taster - Bahian cuisine 1549 founded, Brazil's first capital city ![Colourful colonial houses of the Largo do Pelourinho, Salvador](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/images/destinations/salvador-largo-pelourinho.webp) The Pelourinho, pastel streets of the UNESCO old town ![Bahian moqueca seafood stew in a traditional clay pot](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/images/destinations/salvador-moqueca.webp) Moqueca, the heart of the Bahian kitchen, on our food tour ## Salvador da Bahia on the map Salvador da Bahia sits in Bahia, Brazil. Here's exactly where your journey unfolds on the map of Brazil, one of the handpicked stops in our portfolio. Region Bahia, Brazil Best season September to March (sunniest); warm year-round Recommended stay 3 days Ideal for Culture, history and food lovers [Plan My Trip](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/destinations/salvador/#plan) ## Handpicked experiences in Salvador da Bahia We don't list every tour, only the ones we'd actually send you on: the unmissable classics, plus a few most visitors never find. Classic ### Historical walking tour (3h or 4h) 3 or 4 hours The Pelourinho on foot with your private guide: pastel colonial mansions, the gold-leaf São Francisco church and the squares where capoeira and drumming fill the air. Choose the three-hour highlights loop, or the deeper four-hour version that folds in the city's Afro-Brazilian museums. Classic ### Full-day city tour Full day A private full day across Salvador, upper and lower city: the Pelourinho and its churches, the Lacerda Elevator down to the Bay of All Saints, the Mercado Modelo, the ribbon-tied Bonfim church and the lighthouse and beaches out at Barra. The complete portrait in a single day. Classic ### Mixed vehicle & walking city tour Half to full day The relaxed way to see more with less on your feet. We cover the wider city by private air-conditioned vehicle, Bonfim, Barra, the panoramic viewpoints, and step out to explore the Pelourinho and markets on foot. Ideal in the heat, or for travellers who prefer a gentler pace. Insider tip ### Recôncavo: Cachoeira & São Félix Full day A day into the green Recôncavo, the sugar-and-tobacco country that built colonial Bahia. The twin towns of Cachoeira and São Félix face each other across the Paraguaçu river, joined by an old iron bridge: baroque churches, cigar workshops, deep candomblé heritage and a slow riverside lunch, far from the tourist trail. Insider tip ### Quilombo Tereré & Itaparica Island Full day Across the Bay of All Saints to Itaparica, the large island that shelters it. Here we visit the quilombo of Tereré, a community founded by descendants of formerly enslaved Africans, for its living traditions, crafts and food, then unwind on the island's calm, palm-backed beaches. A rare, respectful window into Afro-Bahian life. Signature ### Santo Antônio dunes & Imbassaí kayaking Full day Up the Costa dos Coqueiros to Santo Antônio, where white dunes roll down to the sea. We walk the sand, then trade it for a paddle: a gentle kayak along the Imbassaí, the freshwater river that winds behind the beach between coconut palms before it finally meets the Atlantic. Pure northeastern Bahia. Signature ### Authentic capoeira taster 1-2 hours A hands-on capoeira taster with a local mestre, the Afro-Brazilian art of resistance disguised as dance, born here in Bahia. Learn the ginga sway, the basic kicks and the call-and-response songs, all to the twang of the berimbau, inside the roda circle itself. Joyful and unforgettable. ## Your day-by-day journey This is just one example of how your days could unfold, every itinerary is private and fully tailored, so we gladly reshape it around your pace, interests and travel dates. 2. ![Rooftops of Salvador's old town above the Bay of All Saints at dusk](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/images/destinations/salvador-hero.webp) Day 1 ### Arrival & first taste of Salvador Your private guide meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel in the Old Town, with tips to help you settle in and a first introduction to Salvador. After an international flight the day is yours to rest, or, if you arrive fresh, we make a start with a four-hour immersive walk through the Pelourinho and its museums, the history of the city told on its own streets. If time is short today, we simply save that walk for the next morning. - Airport pickup - Guide's tips - Pelourinho if time 3. ![Bahian moqueca seafood stew, the centrepiece of the Salvador food tour](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/images/destinations/salvador-moqueca.webp) Day 2 ### Deep Pelourinho or a Bahian food tour Today is your choice. Go deeper into the Pelourinho, its churches, museums and the quiet corners day tours miss, or spend the day eating your way through the city on a guided Bahian food tour: street-stall acarajé fried in dendê, a proper moqueca de peixe, tropical fruits and sweets, with the Afro-Brazilian story behind every bite. Whichever you pick, an evening capoeira session can round it off. - Your choice - Pelourinho - Food tour 4. ![Palm-fringed beach at Praia do Forte on the Costa dos Coqueiros, Bahia](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/images/destinations/praia-do-forte-beach.webp) Day 3 · Finale ### Onward to Praia do Forte A private transfer up the Costa dos Coqueiros to Praia do Forte, a laid-back former fishing village and the perfect place to round off a Brazilian vacation. It's home to the celebrated Projeto Tamar, Brazil's sea-turtle conservation programme, and lined with wonderful pousadas and hotels just steps from the sand. Trade the city for a handful of relaxing beach days before you fly home. See our dedicated Praia do Forte page below, we'll build it right into your route. - Praia do Forte - Projeto Tamar - Beach finale ## Colour, rhythm and history above the bay Tell us your dates and we'll build Salvador into your route, an easy direct flight from Rio, with beach days at Praia do Forte to finish. [Plan My Trip](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/destinations/salvador/#plan) ## Included in every journey ### Private local guide Your own English- or German-speaking Bahian guide: history, culture and the confidence to explore Salvador well beyond the obvious. ### All private transfers Airport, hotel and every excursion in a private, air-conditioned vehicle, no waiting, no shared vans. ### Hand-picked hotels Characterful boutique stays in the historic Old Town, all personally vetted, with beach options in Barra or up the coast. ### Culture, capoeira & cuisine, built in The Pelourinho, its museums, a Bahian food tour and an authentic capoeira taster are woven into your days, the real, living Salvador, not a rushed checklist. ## Where to go next The places we most love to combine with Salvador da Bahia, woven into one private, tailor-made journey. ### [Praia do Forte](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/destinations/praia-do-forte/) Sea Turtles & Barefoot Days Bahia, Brazil Overview A laid-back former fishing village on Bahia's Coconut Coast, home to the famous Tamar sea-turtle project, wonderful pousadas steps from the sand, and calm palm-fringed beaches, the perfect place to round off a Brazil trip before flying home. View journey ### [Rio de Janeiro](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/destinations/rio-de-janeiro/) The Marvellous City, Privately Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Overview Sugarloaf at golden hour, hidden Santa Teresa ateliers and a beach day with no schedule. Rio de Janeiro with a private host who knows the city beyond the postcards. View journey ### [Lençóis Maranhenses](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/destinations/lencois-maranhenses/) White Dunes, Turquoise Lagoons Maranhão, Brazil Overview An otherworldly desert of wind-sculpted dunes cradling thousands of freshwater lagoons, best in the rainy-season window, privately timed. View journey ## Weave Salvador da Bahia into a bigger journey Salvador da Bahia features in these guided multi-stop journeys across Brazil, or we weave it into a tailor-made route of your own. ### [Beaches & Islands](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/journeys/beaches-and-islands/) Journey Brazil's coast, slowed right down View ## Frequently asked questions When is the best time to visit Salvador? + Salvador is warm and tropical all year. The sunniest, driest months are roughly September to March; the winter months (May to July) are cooler and see more rain. Carnival (February/March) is spectacular but very busy, we'll tell you honestly whether it suits the trip you have in mind, and plan around the forecast either way. How many days do I need in Salvador, and which day trips are worth it? + Two to three days is the sweet spot. Two cover the Pelourinho and its museums, a Bahian food tour and a capoeira taster; a third opens up a day trip, the colonial Recôncavo towns of Cachoeira and São Félix, the quilombo of Tereré and the beaches of Itaparica Island, or the dunes of Santo Antônio with kayaking on the Imbassaí. Salvador also connects to Rio de Janeiro on a frequent, often inexpensive direct flight, so it slots neatly into a wider Brazil trip. Is Salvador safe? + Salvador is a big city and, like any big city, rewards a little local know-how, which is exactly what a private guide gives you. Your guide is with you through the day and always on hand with advice, steering you to the right areas at the right times. By following their simple, sensible tips you can feel as safe as possible, including in your own free time in the evenings when the guide isn't at dinner with you, and we're always just a message away. Can I add beach time after Salvador? + Absolutely, and it's the perfect way to finish. Most travellers round off Salvador with a few relaxing days up the coast at Praia do Forte, a laid-back former fishing village with wonderful pousadas and hotels and the famous Projeto Tamar sea-turtle sanctuary, ideal beach days before the flight home. Imbassaí next door and the car-free island of Morro de São Paulo to the south are lovely alternatives, and we'll build whichever you prefer into your private route. Can I explore Salvador on my own, or is a guide the better idea? + Both, and the split matters here more than in most Brazilian cities. The beaches, the coast road, a long lunch, all of that is yours to do alone. Pelourinho and the old town are a different matter: the layout is confusing, the good things are behind doors you would walk past, and the difference between a lively street and one to skip is not obvious to a visitor. We guide the historic centre and the Recôncavo and leave your beach days free. How do I get from Salvador to Chapada Diamantina? + Two ways. There are short flights from Salvador to Lençóis, the village at the edge of the national park, which is what most of our travellers take. The overland route is a long haul of roughly six hours by road, worth it only if you want the landscape on the way. Either way you want at least three nights in the park, and we handle the connection so it lines up with the rest of your route. Can I have a German speaking guide in Salvador? + Yes, almost always. Salvador is one of four regions, with Rio de Janeiro, the Pantanal and Foz do Iguaçu, where we can provide a German-speaking guide nearly every time, and English-speaking guides are always available. Every tour is private, so you choose the language, and we confirm it in your proposal. What does Salvador cost? + Privately guided stays in Salvador start from US$600 per person for three days on the ground, with accommodation, transfers and guiding included. Flights, international and domestic, are not part of that. The hotel category, the season and how much of the Recôncavo you add beyond the city move the figure. The written proposal states the exact total before anything is confirmed. From our journal ## Read before you go to Salvador da Bahia Written from Brazil, where we live, with the practical questions answered first. [All journal posts](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/blog/) ### [Things to Do in Salvador, Brazil: The Heart of Afro-Brazil](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/blog/salvador-bahia-culture-guide/) 7 min read Brazil's first capital is the beating heart of Afro-Brazilian culture: the UNESCO Pelourinho, capoeira, acarajé and moqueca, and day trips into the colonial Recôncavo. What to do, when to come and how many days it honestly takes, from the people who plan it privately. Read the guide - ### [Praia do Forte: Where a Brazil Trip Should End](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/blog/praia-do-forte-guide/) 6 min read A car-free sandy main street an hour north of Salvador, the flagship centre of Brazil’s sea turtle programme, tide pools and a 16th century castle ruin. Why Praia do Forte belongs at the end of a route rather than the start. - ### [Chapada Diamantina: The Season Decides Which One You Get](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/blog/chapada-diamantina-guide/) 8 min read Bahia’s trekking country, six hours inland from Salvador. Its two most photographed sights want opposite weather, so the real question is not when to come but which Chapada you want. [All journal posts](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/blog/) ## What travelling with us was actually like - > My wife and I have always been thrilled by Brazil, but we had never dared to organise the trip ourselves. Authentic Brazil Travel planned the whole journey for us, including some destinations we did not know. The trip was superbly organised, the guides were great, the accommodations lovely and the transfers punctual. Thanks to the wonderful guides and their tips we felt safe the entire time and got to discover a lot of new things. Gladly again! Ali Siblani Germany Google review · August 2026 · translated - > I had an excellent experience with Authentic Brazil Travel. They coordinated my trip across several cities in Brazil, including Salvador, Foz do Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro, and Florianópolis, and everything was handled professionally and smoothly. … I would definitely recommend this agency to anyone looking for reliable and professional assistance when planning travel within Brazil. Great service from beginning to end! Juancarlos Marcano USA Google review · August 2026 - > Me and my family had a great experience. Communication was hassle free and they always cared for our needs and safety. Sindre Jakobsen Norway Google review · July 2026 [Read all reviews on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJSfLb3hU7J5URipiU_l6zmNk) A little Brazilian sunshine ## Your Brazil starts here. A few ideas are all we need to start planning something personal. - 24h response - Completely non-binding - Personal consultation Rather compose it yourself, stop by stop? [Design your own journey](https://www.authenticbraziltravel.com/my-journey/)