Itinerary

1. Discovering Brazil’s First Capital

   • We will start our tour by car and make our first stop at the Santo Antonio da Barra Fort, Bahia’s oldest fort and South America’s oldest lighthouse. We will enjoy the spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean and the entrance to All Saints Bay. We will then continue on to the 7th of September Avenue and Porto da Barra Beach, viewing the forts of Santa Maria and São Diogo.
   • Driving up Barra Hill, we will reach the upscale neighbourhood of Vitoria, passing by the magnificent Vitoria Church – one of Salvador’s first churches. We will pass Campo Grande Square and its famous Dois de Julho monument (a landmark in the consolidation of Brazil’s independence in Bahia), Piedade Square, Relógio de São Pedro’s Square, Castro Alves Square, and the Municipal Square, where we will start our walking part of the tour.
   • We will reach the top of Cidade Alta, where similar to an acropolis, the Portuguese started to build the city.  From Praça Municipal, we will enjoy a delightful view of the bay with its islands. We will see the Rio Branco Palace, the old City Hall and Council, and the iconic Lacerda Elevator, which links the upper and lower parts of the city. From there, we will explore a few of Salvador’s historical squares, such as Sé Square, where the city’s first Cathedral of Brazil was built, Terreiro de Jesus Square, where the first Medical School of Brazil and the current Cathedral Basilica are located, Cruzeiro de São Francisco Square, and Saint Francis of Assisi Church.
   • Walking down the hill to Pelourinho Square, we will end our tour passing by Jorge Amado’s Foundation and the Church of the Rosary of The Black Man, as well as museums, art galleries, handicraft shops, restaurants and bars.