Salvador

Salvador - the capital of the state of Bahia (Brazil), is considered one of the places where Brazilian culture was born. The city combines the charm of an old settlement (included in the UNESCO World Heritage List), the energy of dance and music, as well as the vibrant holiday atmosphere. El Salvador attracts countless travelers not only with the world's largest carnival, but also with golf courses, museums, unique architecture and magnificent beaches.

Short video about Salvador

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How to get there

Want to know the best way to get to Salvador? Then the information presented below is for you!

By plane

Luis Eduardo Magalhães International Airport (IATA code: SSA) is one of Brazil's largest airports. All leading Brazilian airlines operate flights to the state capital of Bahia. You can choose the best option for air travel on aggregator sites, or, for example, here.

The airport can be reached via the Paralela motorway (28 km from the city center) or along the coastal highway (32 km).

There are several types of transport on which you can get to the airport:

• business class taxi (prepayment required, price is calculated according to the price list);
• economy class taxi (price is calculated by meter);
• comfortable air-conditioned minibuses. The fare is 4 Brazilian real. The minibus leaves from Praça da Sé, stops at the beaches of Ondina, Pituba, Amaralina, Itapuã and Barra, as well as at the American-style Barra Shopping Center, located near the Barra Lighthouse;
• ordinary buses. The fare is 3 reais. When boarding, you must definitely ask the driver where the bus is going - buses go to the airport of San Joaquin, Lapu and Campo Grande past the airport. Linha Verde buses often operate from the airport to Praia do Forte.
• luxury buses. They deliver travelers from the airport (at the exit you need to turn right and go to the last platform) in Praia do Forte for 28 reais.

By bus

The Salvador Bus Station is located in the city center and 14 km from the business center. It can be reached by scheduled routes from all over the country and from Paraguay. At the bus station you can catch a taxi or change to city buses that deliver passengers to any area of ​​Salvador and its environs. Luxury buses departing from Iguatemi Station can be reached through Iguatemi Shopping Center.

Traveling by bus from or to El Salvador can take a lot of time, as the average speed on local roads is about 50-60 km / h.

By ferry

El Salvador is one of the points on the route of many cruise ships. The Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship even came here once. The port is located next to the historical part of the city. You can get there on the Elevador Lacerda ski lift, city buses or luxury buses to Iguatemi. Be careful in the port area, as it can be dangerous there.

hint: El Salvador - time now16: 5213 OctoberDifference in hours: Moscow & plus; 6 Kazan & plus; 6 Samara & plus; 7 Yekaterinburg & plus; 8 Novosibirsk & plus; 10 Vladivostok & plus; 13

When is the season. When is the best time to go?

Salvador - monthly weather

hint: El Salvador - weather for the months of January January ± 26.1 February ± 26.3 March ± 26.3 April ± 25.6 May ± 24.3 June ± 23.3 July ± 22.7 August ± 22.6 September ± 23.5 October ± 24.5 November ± plus 25.3 December & plus; 25.6

The main attractions. What to watch

Praça da Sé and Terreiro de Jesus squares

Located in the center of the upper city (Cidade Alta) they are separated from each other by a cathedral. The Terreiro de Jesus Square, with its many vans and food stalls, is considered one of the busiest places in the city during the day. In the evening, the area is filled with vacationers. Praça da Sé (in the shape of the letter G) has fountains with cool water and fenced ruins of the foundation of the church of the same name. At the far end of the square is the Plano Inclinado Gonçalves funicular, built in 1874 and transporting everyone from the upper to the lower city until 2011. The funicular is not yet functioning, but they plan to restore it, because the cars are in working condition. Merchants, tourists, capoeira wrestlers and ordinary locals mixed in at Terreiro de Jesus, the venue for religious festivals. On the square you can listen to the bells of four churches and see the buildings of the medical faculty, built in the XIX century.

Praça Municipal (City Square) or Praça Tomé de Souza

Once the government building of colonial Brazil was located here, now it is a lively place with a panoramic view of the bay. When inspecting the square, special attention should be paid to the Palácio Rio Branco palace, reconstructed in 1919. In the original building, built in 1549, the government of the first governor of the colony, Tome de Souza, met.

Largo do pelorinho

A relatively small triangular area, which is considered one of the oldest in the city. From its name, which translates as "area of ​​shame," you can guess what was happening on it.

Mercado modelo

The main market of the city, located in its lower part. Here you can buy good souvenirs and handmade products. In the adjoining square you can see young people practicing capoeira - the famous form of martial art, which includes elements of dance. Capoeira originated in the area.

Solar do Unhão

The best place to meet the sunset in Salvador. Solar do Unhão is the historical house-museum of modern art (Museu de Arte Moderna) in Toduz us Santos Bay, where works by local artists are exhibited. Sometimes on Saturdays they give jazz concerts.

Forte de Santo Antônio da Barra (Fort Santo Antonio da Barra) and Barra Lighthouse (Barra, Bahia, Brazil, +55 71 3264-3296)

The oldest fort in Bahia, built in 1698. It offers great views. In addition, it is worth visiting the Maritime Museum located in the fort, which displays a rich collection of exhibits from the heyday of Portuguese navigation. Sitting on the lawn in front of the fort or in a luxurious cafe on the terrace, you can enjoy the beautiful sunset - after all, this is the only place in Brazil where you can watch the sunset over the ocean.

Lacerda Lift (Elevador Lacerda), Rua da Conceição da Praia (Salvador, Bahia, Brazil (near Comércio)

+55 71 3103-3103. Opening hours: 07:00 - 23:00, additional hours of operation in the summer and during the Carnival). The Lacerda lift, made in the art deco style, consists of 4 elevators that connect the upper city (Cidade Alta) and the business center (Comércio). Elevators cover a distance of 72 meters in 30 seconds. The first cable lift was built by the Jesuits in 1610 to lift cargo and passengers from the port to the city. In 1868, a steel structure was installed, which was driven by a steam engine, and in 1928 it was replaced by an electric one. The ride on a lift costs 0.15 reais. Opposite it is the Parliament Building of El Salvador, decorated with arched vaults. It was built in the 17th century. Sometimes it hosts exhibitions.

This was a list that contains the most popular attractions in the city of Salvador. Which sights to visit - decide for yourself, but any of them is worthy of your attention.

Beaches. Which are better

Many tourists pursue the main and almost the only purpose of the trip to Salvador - the beaches. It is advisable to book hotels near the beaches in advance, for example, on booking. Compare housing prices from different sites here. Families with children often prefer to rent private apartments or apartments, options can be found here.

One of the main beaches of Salvador is Porto de Barra. It was there that the arriving Europeans founded their first settlement in Bahia. On weekends, the beach is filled to capacity. Porto da Barra Beach, Salvador, Bahia (next to Avenida Oceânica Avenue and Sete de Setembro Avenue) is somewhat similar to the historical part of the city: small, picturesque, usually filled with people (about half of which foreigners) and sellers who offer everything you can imagine. The beach is well lit, but in the evenings it is dirty. The water in the bay itself is clean and calm, but in the area of ​​the Barra lighthouse there are waves - a real paradise for surfing. The Barra region is strewn with bars and restaurants.

Most of the beaches where the surf allows swimming are located in the northeastern region of Salvador. The beaches of Flamengo and Stella Maris are the most popular among tourists and rich people. The infrastructure is well developed. There are also places where high waves form, ideal for surfing.

Locals prefer the beaches of Jaguaribe, Piatã and Itapoã (usually crowded on weekends). It is worth going there if you want to mix with the locals, but you should not take anything with you except clothes, sunglasses, cream and small money - there are many thieves on these beaches.

The rest of the beaches are not suitable for swimming, but remain a great place for walking or cycling. They are very picturesque, so you definitely need to take a camera with you. The beach at Barra Lighthouse offers a beautiful view (especially during sunset), but it’s uncomfortable to walk there because of the stones. The beach is famous for the lighthouse. The nearby Plakaford beach attracts families with children. The water here is calm, and the beach is soft and sandy. In the southern part there are a number of magnificent beaches, including Tinhare and Boipeba.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

Convento de Igreja de São Francisco Convent and Church

(360º overview can be viewed here) - an impressive structure of the colonial period of Brazil. The modern church building was built in 1708-1723 and during the XVIII century several sculptors adorned its facade. Most of the decoration of the church was completed in 1755. All internal surfaces - walls, pillars, arches and ceilings - are decorated with gilded wooden reliefs and paintings. It is believed that the decoration of the church most fully embody the Portuguese-Brazilian Baroque and are a great example of the so-called "Golden Churches".

Igreja do Nosso Senhor do Bonfim

A small church in the northern part of the city, the most popular pilgrimage destination in Brazil. Colorful ribbons or fitas from here are well known throughout the country and even beyond its borders. Local children at the entrance for a small fee tie them on the wrists of the parishioners, and they make some kind of desire. If the ribbon is untied itself, then the wish will come true, but if the owner cuts it, then no. You can get to the church from the city center by bus in 15 minutes.

Igreja da Ordem Terceira de Sao Francisco (Church of the Third Orders of St. Francis), Rua São Francisco, Salvador

Open from 08:00 to 17:00. A ticket costs 3 reais. This Catholic church was nominated for the title of one of the New Seven Wonders of the World from Brazil. The architect of the sandstone facade, made in the Baroque style (the only one in Brazil), was Gabriel Ribeiro. In 1831, Franco Velasco painted the ceiling of the church. At the end of the XVIII century, its facade was covered with a solution that hid a beautiful ancient painting. And only at the beginning of the 20th century, a hidden treasure was accidentally discovered by an electrician repairing wires.

This was a list of the most significant churches in the city of Salvador, which are, without a doubt, worth a visit.

Museums Which are worth a visit

Museu da Cidade (City Museum)

Largo do Pelourinho, 3 - Pelourinho, Salvado, Bahia, 40026-280, Brazil, +55 3321 1967. Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Fri 09: 00-18: 00, Sat 13: 00-17: 00, Sun 09: 00-13: 00. A ticket costs 3 reais. In the museum, as in the city, the old is intertwined with the new, the spiritual with the secular. Among the exhibits are the costumes of the Candomblé religion, the personal belongings of the poet Castro Alves (author of Návio Negreiro - The Slave Ship and one of the first to publicly abolish slavery) and traditional rag dolls representing the colonial lifestyle, as well as paintings and sculptures.

Museu da misericórdia

Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, +55 71 3322 7355. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 13: 00-17: 00. A ticket costs 5 reais. The museum is housed in a beautiful 17th-century building that was once a hospital. You can go through the museum with a guided tour (only in Portuguese), during which interior items, paintings and outfits of four centuries ago are displayed. The program also includes a visit to the Igreja da Misericórdia church, which is adjacent to the museum building. A distinctive feature of it are the Azulejo (Portuguese tiles) and wood products of the 18th century.

Museu Afro-Brasileiro.

Working hours: Mon-Fri 09: 00-18: 00, Sat-Sun 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. A ticket costs 5 reais. The museum stores documents from the era of the slave trade and shows the development of the city during this period.

Museu de Arte da Bahia (Bahia Museum of Art)

7 de Setembro 2340. Operating mode: Tue.-Fri. 13: 00-19: 00, Sat-Sun 14: 00-19: 00. A ticket costs 5 reais (adult), 3 reals (children). The museum is located in a neo-colonial building. The works of Bahia artists such as Jose Teofilo de Jesús (1758-1817) or the Argentine artist Carube are exhibited here.

Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia (Museum of Archeology and Ethnology)

The building of the medical faculty Terreiro de Jesus. Opening hours: Mon Fri 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. A ticket costs 6 reais. The museum is dedicated to the products of the indigenous settlement of Brazil: pottery, bows and arrows, masks and other head ornaments. Also here you can see glass and porcelain products of the 19th century, which were found during the laying of the subway.

Museu Náutico da Bahia (Bahia Maritime Museum)

Barra Lighthouse, +55 3264 3296. Operating mode: Tue.-Sun. 08: 30-19: 00; from January to July is open daily. A ticket costs 10 reais (adult), 5 reals (for children). Fort Santo Antonio da Barra is not only a bewitching view, but also an excellent museum that displays a rich collection of exhibits from the heyday of Portuguese navigation. Here you can also see the exposition telling about the slave trade. All information is available in Portuguese and English. Sunset is best seen from the cafe on the terrace.

Museu de Arte Moderna (Museum of Modern Art)

Contorno s / n, +55 3117 6139. Working hours: Tue-Fri, Sun. 13: 00-19: 00, Sat 13: 00-21: 00. A ticket costs 6 reais (adult), 3 reals (children). The museum hosts temporary exhibitions of avant-garde artists because of this, opening hours may vary. In addition to the museum, the building also has a restaurant and an art workshop. The sculpture park located here offers beautiful views of the bay. The museum will have to be reached by taxi, because it is located far from bus stops and this area is unsafe for tourists.

Museu Carlos Costa Pinto

7 de Setembro 2490. Operating hours: Mon, Wed - Sat. 14: 30-19: 00. A ticket costs 5 reais. A lovely two-story mansion that houses a rich collection of decorative art pieces collected by a 19th-century Bahian aristocrat Carlos de Aguiar Costa Pinto and his wife Margarida. There are exhibits of gold, crystal, porcelain and silver, as well as jewelry from coral and fans from the shell of turtles. It is also worth visiting the cafe at the entrance.

You have just read the list, which presents all the famous museums in the city of Salvador.

Parks

Park Abaeté

Guarded state park around the lake of the same name. The lake is noteworthy in that its dark waters contrast sharply with the whitish sandy beach. The park has a relaxation area with bars and live music.

What to see in 1 day

Want to know what to see in El Salvador in 1 day? When choosing options for exploring Salvador and the surrounding area for a limited time, it is best to stay on a tour called "Salvador: 500 years of history in 1 day" ("Salvador, 500 years in 1 day"), which is offered by the Bahia Guide Basix agency. It was during it that one can most fully get acquainted with the famous and not very sights of the city and its surroundings, meet with local residents and learn about the culture of the region.

What to see in the surroundings

If you realize that you have nothing more to see in El Salvador, then feel free to go from El Salvador to other places in the vicinity:

• Praia do Forte is a coastal town with a turtle reserve.
• Arembepe is a tiny town located on Costa dos Coquieros (Cocos Beach) with a surf that is ideal for surfing.
• Imbassai - located a few kilometers north of Praia do Forte. The beach here is surrounded by water, because on the one hand are the sea, and on the other is a river. It offers a unique, very unusual view.
• Boipeba is a beautiful island.
• Morro de Sao Paulo is an island frequented by locals and tourists alike. There are many restaurants, baors and hostels. There are 4 beaches on the island. The water is crystal clear.
• Massarandupio (Massarandupió) - located just 90 km from Salvador and it seems like a real paradise on Earth. For lovers of an elite holiday on the beach, there are restaurants and fashionable hotels. Preferred hiking conditions can conveniently set up tents in meadows sheltered from the wind by dunes. And for those who are keen on exotic here, besides the usual, there is also a nudist beach.

Hint: Routes to neighboring cities Salvador - Itaparica 18 km Salvador - Arembepe 42 km Salvador - Morro de São Paulo 62 km Salvador - Itacimirim 64 km Salvador - Casueira 64 km

Food. What to try

In the city of Salvador, restaurants are considered one of the best in Brazil. Most of them offer South American cuisine, but there are those that depart from this rule. For example, the Maria Mato Mouro restaurant on Rua 3A Ordem de Sao Francisco in the historic city center has a wide range of seafood dishes prepared according to recipes from different countries, but South American dishes still prevail. Grilled fish fillet is considered one of the most frequently ordered dishes at Maria Mato Mouro. The restaurant is open daily, it opens at noon and closes at one in the morning. Lunch here will cost from $ 15 to $ 25.

If you want to try the local cuisine, you need to go all the way to Piazza Terreiro de Jesus, where Afro-Brazilians, dressed in traditional white dresses, will prepare delicious food. Among traditional national dishes, you should definitely try abaru (dough, the main additives of which are peas, palm oil and onions. To prepare it, it is steamed and served in a banana leaf. Salt, pepper are added to taste). Also in Sallvador you should definitely try acarajé - balls of cow peas and onions, fried in palm oil. They are served with shrimp vatapá soup.

Those who prefer fast food can easily find Burger King, McDonald's, Subway or Pizza Hut in the city. There are also chain restaurants, such as Outback Steakhouse.

Since everyone chooses a place of food, focusing not only on his taste, but also on his wallet, all restaurants in El Salvador can be divided into three categories: budget, middle class and upper class.

Recommended Places

Not a single trip to Salvador should do without tasting desserts. After all, the residents themselves are well-known sweet tooth. Every tourist should definitely go to the Cubana cafe on Rua Alfredo de Brito any day from eight in the morning to ten in the evening and try homemade ice cream. It offers as many as 28 different flavors of a sweet treat.

Budgetary

• Acarajé da Cira, Largo de Itapuã, 3249-4170. Here you can buy fresh shades from 10:00 to 23:00. The same restaurant can be found in Largo da Mariquita in the Rio Vermelho area.
• Acarajé da Dica, Rua J, Castro Rabelo, historic district of Pelourinho. Opening hours: Tue-Sat 15: 00-23: 00, Sun 10: 00-13: 00.
• Health Valley Brasil, Rua Direita da Piedade (city center). A vegetarian restaurant run by the Chinese (which is more and more common in El Salvador). It serves traditional dishes whose main ingredient is ginger. The restaurant is popular among representatives of the "alternative culture". Dishes are presented in the form of a buffet. The price for the dish, fruit juice and dessert is 15 reais.
• Quiosque de Amaralina, Ave Otávio Mangabeira, Amaralina District. It serves a beachside garage from four in the evening until midnight.

Mid level

• Bistrô PortoSol, (at the crossroads next to Porto da Barra). A small and cozy restaurant serving Austro-Hungarian cuisine, which is run by a native of Austria and his wife. They also provide rooms for living, on the walls of which hang posters of famous Hollywood films. The cuisine is delicious.
• Companhia da Pizza, Rio Vermelho (at the crossroads near the Pestana Bahia and Blue Tree Towers hotels). One of the most popular pizzerias in the city.
• La Figa, Rua das Laranjeiras 17, historical part of Pelourinho (near Piazza Terreiro de Jesus). An Italian restaurant serving fresh pasta (approximately 35 reais for two), snacks (10 reais) and desserts. In 2007, the restaurant changed its owner, who changed the name (previously the restaurant was named La Lupa). The change of ownership did not affect the high quality of food, excellent service and a pleasant atmosphere.
• Maria Mata Mouro, historical part of Pelourinho (near the church of St. Francis). A small restaurant with only 12 tables, but the dishes served here are just fine. Shrimps are especially good.
• Meridiano, Ave Tancredo Neves (in front of Casa do Comércio). Good food at affordable prices. Great service.
• São Salvador, (located in the Salvador Trade Center). Buffet. Refined furnishings.
• Panela da Bahia, historical part of Pelourinho, Rua Frei Vicente, 7. Traditional Bahia specialties and exotic flavors at affordable prices. An excellent shrimp and banana fish stew is worth a try (Moqueca de camarao com banana). Lunch for two will cost 30-55 reais, including drinks.
• Hostel galeria 13, the historical part of Pelourinho, Rua da ordem terceira no 23. The European, who recently owns a restaurant, brought to the historical part of the city what she was lacking, namely, international cuisine and Spanish tapas. The menu also includes a variety of vegetarian dishes. You can enjoy them in the recreation areas, made in the Moroccan style or in the patio. I also have soft drinks (which include ginger) and caipirinha with melon flavor. The dishes are large and the prices are reasonable.

Expensive

• Amado, Ave Contorno. Specializes in modern cuisine
• Barbacoa, Ave Tancredo Neves. Delicious meat dishes. The best feijoada in Salvador. Refined furnishings.
• Boi Preto, Boca do Rio (in front of the Aeroclube Plaza Show shopping center, next to the Conference Center). The best grilled meat (churrascarias) in town. Buffet and salad bar.
• Casa do Comércio, Ave Tancredo Neves, 11F (in the heart of the financial district of the city). A place where you will surely be well fed. The restaurant offers a panorama of Salvador.
• Marc Le Dantec, Pier Sul Apartment Service, Ondina District. Best french restaurant in town
• Mistura, district of Itapoã. Specializes in fish dishes and international cuisine.
• Yemanjá, Ave Otávio Mangabeira 9292, district of Pitubá, 231-5570. The dishes served here are recognized as the best example of Bahia cuisine around the world.
• Ki Mukeka serves delicious Bahian cuisine.

Holidays

Carnival

The carnival in Salvador attracts the attention of a huge number of tourists. It is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest carnival on Earth. The carnival lasts one week: from February 7 to 14, and this time is filled with entertainment, live music and dancing.

The main action takes place at three venues: in the historical center of Pelourinho (here participants dress in traditional costumes for the region), on Campo Grande, where they play samba, in recent years the most popular is the playground on the beaches of Barra and Ondina (Barra / Ondina), where The motives of the contemporary musical direction of Ashe (Brazilian Axé) merge with the sound of percussion instruments and other rhythms and directions.

Security. What to watch out for

In the city of El Salvador, the safety of tourists and residents is traditionally low. Tourists who show carelessness here become victims of thieves much more often than in Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro.

Local dysfunctional elements automatically rank people with a European appearance either as representatives of the upper strata of society or as tourists. And considering that both of them have something to steal, they are attacked more often than people with an African appearance. The latter have a great advantage - they can easily get lost in the crowd.

The government of El Salvador realizes how important tourists are for the city, so tourist places (Pelourinho and Mercado Modelo) and festivals (Carnival, in the first place) are well guarded. Nevertheless, increased vigilance should always be shown in this city.

To ensure their own safety, all foreigners in El Salvador need to know some of the features of local life, and certain rules must be followed:

• You should beware of people who come with a smile on their faces to tourists. They either want money or sell something.
• Tourists who love hiking or traveling by bike or bus are best off on this day. At the same time, you should not carry something valuable with you - just what you might really need.
• Most areas of the city that are interesting from a traveler’s point of view are quite dangerous (especially at night). For example, a port in the Barra area - here you need to be very careful and under no circumstances, NEVER go to the beach at night!
• Walking along the street leading from the old year to the port is dangerous even in the afternoon. ALWAYS use a lift!
• Staying in the tourist area of ​​Barra, you should not walk around the slum area (favela) near the shopping center Shopping Barra. It’s dangerous there, especially at night. The area in the east towards the beach is also unsafe.
• The beaches of Flamengo and Stella Maris are considered the safest in the daytime. They are also suitable for beach lovers who are not eager to thoroughly immerse themselves in the local culture. On other beaches, it is worth staying close to security points.
• It is recommended that you take a taxi at night. You can’t go to deserted places, but to be in a crowd of local people is also unsafe. If there are no other tourists around, then it is best to leave this place, unless, of course, there is an intentional desire to get into an alteration.
• You should be very careful when crossing the street. Even at a pedestrian crossing with a traffic light that shows red for cars. As one member of the Supergrass group said: “In Brazil, green means driving, and red means driving faster.” Therefore, you should start to switch only when ALL stop.
• In no case should you agree if someone wants to get in a taxi. Most likely, this is a trap, and everyone who agrees will become the target of the robbers!
• In the historical part of the city of Pelourinho, you should definitely watch out for the kids, especially during the Geronimo concert in the old church. The local children can easily steal something from the pockets of a gaping tourist.
• During shopping, you should always check the prices on the label, because sellers believe that they have the right to charge a double price for services or goods from all tourists. You should always take the so-called Coupon Fiscal, because it indicates the tax (27%) that the seller must pay. You need to monitor prices when shopping for anything at kiosks or stalls. Sellers here also try to take much more from tourists than from local ones. And such overpayments can easily gnaw a hole in the planned budget.

Things to do

In El Salvador you will not get bored, here you can find many different activities, for example:

• City Tour
• Visiting El Salvador Parks
• Golf at numerous golf courses
• Salvador Music Festival
• Surfing

A good guide to Salvador (guia de Salvador) is able to show many interesting places and attractions where tourists traveling on their own do not fall. A good option to get acquainted with the city can be a trip on the open-top Salvador Bus, which passes by the main attractions and has an audio guide that tells about them.

Shopping and shops

El Salvador is a paradise for low price hunters. In shopping centers you can find absolutely everything. If you want to buy any work of art, handicrafts or clothes, you should go to the shops in the old city or look at the Mercado Modelo market.

Souvenirs are best bought at Litoral Norte, located at Rua Gregorio de Matos 30. They sell T-shirts and other items that cost less than $ 5. If you want to buy works by local artists, you need to go to the historical part of the city, for example, in Galeria 13 at Rua Santa Isabel 13.

Local residents prefer to shop in shopping centers built according to the American model, including:

• Shopping da Bahia (formerly Shopping Iguatemi)
• Salvador shopping
• Shopping barra
• Shopping itaigara
• Shopping Center Lapa
• Shopping piedade
• Bahia Outlet Center
• Salvador norte shopping
• Shopping Bela Vista

You should bargain with sellers: if you try and put a little pressure on them, then they will most likely drop the price.

Bars Where to go

Here is a list of the best bars in Salvador:

• Beco dos Artistas, near Campo Grande, is a street full of bars and restaurants, open only on Fridays and Saturdays. Most of the people here gather in the interval between 22:00 and 01:00, after which many go to nightclubs. Subdued lighting creates a unique atmosphere. Bars located here are especially popular among the black population of the city and LGBT people. Tourists rarely come here.
• Bohemia Music Bar, Rua Augusto Frederico Schmith, 177. A pleasant atmosphere, live music and a varied menu made this place very popular. Documents are often checked at the entrance.
• Chuleta, Vale do Canela (near the University of Bahia and the Graça and Vitória districts). Students often come here. The bar is famous for cheap beer and meat snacks (the name Chuleta translates as "cutlet"). Tables on the street.
• Largo de Santana, Rio Vermelho. This busy street is full of restaurants and bars serving one of the best parking spaces in town.
• Mercado do Peixe, Rio Vermelho (on the beach, next to the Blue Tree Towers). One of the best places to go in the late hours. It becomes especially crowded after three nights, when all other institutions are closed. Here you can try a variety of drinks, as well as fish stew (moquecas) and snacks characteristic of the region. In the daytime there is a fish market.
• Sankofa African Bar e Restaurante, Rua Frei Vicente, No 7, in the very center of the historic Pelourinho. Live music (salsa, samba, reggae, zook and semba), DJs play African, Brazilian and world music. Here you can taste delicious African dishes and drinks. The walls are decorated with African flags, maps and images. The top floor shows feature films and documentaries.
• Hostel Galeria 13, historical part of Pelourinho, Rua da ordem terceira no 23. Recently the owner has changed, and now the bar is managed by an English-speaking person who worked in bars and clubs around the world and who is well versed in drinks. The menu includes soft drinks (which include ginger), caipirinha and melon-flavored rosque, which have already made a name for this bars in Brazil. You can enjoy refreshments in the garden or in the unique Pelourinho Moroccan-style relaxation area.
• Bar Zulu, the historical part of Pelourinho, Rua das laranjeiras no 15. tel 87843172. A cozy bar on the corner of the street, which serves drinks made according to recipes collected from around the world. In addition, there is also a vegetarian restaurant in the same room. The menu includes Spanish tapas, salads, sandwiches, international dishes and a variety of vegan dishes. This place is like the best bars that specialize in Spanish tapas. The staff is very friendly. Here you must definitely try the signature caipirinha with strawberries and passion fruit. Soon, the owner plans to install a TV in the bar so that fans can gather and watch sporting events. If this happens, the bar will turn into a great place for football lovers to meet.

Clubs and nightlife

In the city of Salvador, nightlife is quite well developed, this fact confirms a decent list of institutions and clubs for adults:

• Dolce, on the ground floor of Shopping Boulevard 161, Itaigara. Very noisy club for older people.
• Fashion Club, Ave Octávio Mangabeira, 2.471, district Pituba, 71 3346 0012. It was once the busiest club in El Salvador, but later it was overshadowed by the Lotus club. Prices are two times lower than in Lotus.
• Lotus is a bar often mentioned in guidebooks. It is currently closed.
• Off Clube, Rua Dias Dávila, 33, district Barra, 71 3267 6215. Open from Thursday to Sunday. The club is especially popular among gays and lesbians. The various events that take place here attract local people from different walks of life. Friday evening is the busiest. In the neighborhood is a creperie (pancake), whose tables are on the street. Visitors can enjoy live music and the sounds of breaking on the shore of the water.
• San Sebastian, Rua da Paciência, 277, Rio Vermelho, 71 3012-5013. An excellent two-story club for gays and lesbians, which can argue for the title of best with similar clubs in Rio or Sao Paulo. The best DJs play here. House and electronics play on the second floor, Brazilian and American pop music downstairs.Most visitors gather here on Saturdays.
• Rock in Rio Café is a bar often mentioned in guidebooks. It is currently closed.
• Twist, Rua João Gomes, 95 - Rio Vermelho - pop, ashe and forro are played here. Especially popular among young people aged 18 to 25.
• Zauber Multicultura, Ladeira da Misericórdia, 11, Edifício Taveira, Comércio, 71 3326 2964. Music is combined with visual effects in one of the most significant areas of the city. The club acts as a kind of bridge from the past to the future: it is located in a historic building, but decorated with modern decorations. You should get there only by taxi, because this area is not safe.

How to get around the city

Taxi. What features exist

El Salvador taxi drivers could easily compete with their colleagues from Rio for places in teams planning to participate in Formula 1 races. Not a single bus will take you to the place you need as fast as a taxi! And since buses still do not run at night, taxi drivers have complete freedom to set fares. They rarely turn on the counter and without hesitation call the price that they like. Therefore, you need to be prepared for the fact that you have to argue with them and, possibly, even curse in order to reduce the cost to an acceptable one. Especially if you need to travel far.

There are no meters in a luxury taxi (white and blue), and fares are indicated here in the price list. You will have to pay more in these cars than in city taxis, but the trip will be more comfortable. Catching a luxury taxi is quite difficult, but you can try to find them near the entrances to large shopping centers, airports, train stations, ports and large hotels.

There are few English-speaking drivers in El Salvador, however, you can pre-book a transfer from / to El Salvador Airport on a site whose operators know this language.

Underground

The Salvador metro line connects the Lapa district in the city center with the Bom Juá district. Campo da Pólvora Metro Station is 700 meters from the historic center, while Acesso Norte Station is next to Bela Vista Supermarket.

The second metro line, still under construction, will have to connect the city and the international airport. According to the plan, the segment from Acesso Norte to the Rodoviária bus station should be completed by the end of 2015.

Buses

As in other cities in Brazil, Salvador city buses run often, but their routes are easy to get confused. The fare is 3 reais (March 2015) and is even valid for buses to the neighboring city of Lauro de Freitas.

In addition to simple city buses in Salvador, you can also travel on luxury buses equipped with air conditioning. It’s easy to ride them, the main thing is to clearly know the name of the place and area that you want to get into. To do this, it is better to study the route in advance by building it using Google Maps.

Bus terminals are usually located near major shopping centers. For example, the Lapa terminal is located near the Lapa shopping center. Estação Iguatemi is located between the Rodoviaria terminal and the Shopping Iguatemi shopping center. The Estação Mussurunga terminal, from where buses leave for the Praia do Flamengo area with the famous Flamengo beach, are located on the Paralela motorway.

If you need to get out of Pelourinho, you should go down on the Lacerda ski lift to the Comercio area, where you can easily find a bus stop on any street. You can also reach the Praca da Sé bus stop south of the ski lift. The choice of ordinary buses here is much narrower than in other places, but there are a lot of luxury buses here.

The main bus service in El Salvador stops working from midnight until 04: 30-05: 00. There are night lines, but there are very few of them. In addition, it is worth using them with extreme caution, since night trips in El Salvador are safe only if the bus goes along busy streets, and tourists traveling in it are dressed modestly and are not behaving provocatively.

More information on El Salvador city buses can be found on the Superintendência de Transporte Público website (Portuguese only).

Vehicle rental

Renting an air-conditioned car according to the payment system for kilometers traveled or regardless of the distance traveled will cost about 110-140 reais per day (excluding fuel costs). You can pick up a car in advance, navigate prices, etc., here.

Navigating the streets of El Salvador is easy, but despite the relaxed lifestyle, the locals are known for their aggressive driving style (the situation on the roads is similar to Rio de Janeiro). Drivers cut when overtaking, pedestrians unexpectedly jump out onto the roadway directly under the wheels. For someone who is not used to this, it is better to use the services of a personal driver, who, in addition to the car, can be hired at car rental agencies.

In general, renting a car is ideal for those who want to visit the beaches in the northern part of Bahia, since in this case the dependence on the travel schedule organized by travel agencies will disappear.

On bicycle

In El Salvador, there are many bike rental points under the general name Bike Salvador.

Renting a Salvador Vai de Bike offers everyone who wants to cycle around the city from Campo Grande Square to the historic city center and Parque da Cidade on Sundays and public holidays. Unfortunately, apart from the pedestrian areas and bike paths in the Barra and Ribeira areas, El Salvador is not suitable for cycling.

On foot

In El Salvador there are all possible modes of transport - taxis, buses and rented cars. The fare on the bus is very affordable, a taxi ride is quite expensive - you can choose for every taste. However, it is actually best to explore the old city on foot.

Ski vacation

Watch the video: Salvador worship live (April 2024).