Brazil

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Salvador

Afro-Brazilian heart on All Saints Bay

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Salvador Plan a trip around Brazil

Best time to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Sep, Oct, Dec
Currency: BRL
Time zone: UTC-3
Country: Brazil

Photo: Paul R. Burley, CC BY-SA 4.0

Salvador is Brazil's first capital, a coastal city known for its colonial old town, Afro-Brazilian music, cuisine and one of the world's biggest street Carnivals. Visitors come for the Pelourinho historic centre, beaches and a lively cultural scene.

Largest cities

São Paulo
Rio de Janeiro
Brasília
Salvador
Fortaleza

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Brazil
Capital: Brasília
City population: 2.4M
Population of Brazil: 214.2M
Country area: 8,515,767 km²
Official language: Portuguese
Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL) · 1 USD ≈ 5 BRL
Time zone: UTC-3
Calling code: +55
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 15 m
Plugs: A / B / C · 127V / 220V
Emergency numbers: 190 (police) · 192 (ambulance) · 193 (fire)
Best time to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Sep, Oct, Dec

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	29°	29°	29°	28°	27°	26°	26°	26°	27°	28°	28°	29°
Low	25°	25°	25°	25°	24°	23°	22°	22°	23°	24°	24°	25°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$33
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$85
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$220

Plan a trip to Salvador

Top things to do

Free
Pelourinho Historic Centre Walk
Wander cobblestone streets lined with 17th–20th century colonial buildings and colourful facades; go early to avoid crowds and heat.
- Half day
- Pelourinho (Historic Centre)
- Good for kids
≈ $5
Church of São Francisco
See one of Brazil's most ornate baroque interiors covered in gold leaf; modest dress is expected and small entry fees apply.
- Half day
- Pelourinho (Historic Centre)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $3
Afro-Brazilian Museum
Explore exhibits on African influence in Brazilian culture and religion; it is a good rainy-day option in the historic centre.
- Half day
- Pelourinho (Historic Centre)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Closed: Sunday
≈ $1
Elevador Lacerda and Mercado Modelo
Ride the world's first urban lift between upper and lower town and browse the Mercado Modelo for crafts; keep small change for the lift.
- Half day
- Comércio (Lower Town)
- Good for kids
Free
Barra and Farol da Barra
Walk the seafront to the lighthouse and watch the sunset over the bay; the beach here is calm and good for a quick swim.
- Half day
- Barra
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $3
Museum of Modern Art of Bahia (MAM)
See contemporary Brazilian art in a 17th-century building by the sea; check for live jazz sessions during your visit.
- Half day
- Barra
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Closed: Monday
Free
Rio Vermelho Nightlife
Join locals at bars and food stalls around Largo de Santana for drinks and acarajé; it gets busy late and is best reached by taxi.
- Half day
- Rio Vermelho
- Good in the evening
≈ $10
Itaparica Island Day Trip
Take the ferry from near the Mercado Modelo to Itaparica for beaches and a slower pace; check return ferry times before you go.
- Full day
- Comércio (Lower Town)
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

British citizens can visit Brazil without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism; other nationalities should check their own visa requirements, as many can enter visa-free or with an e-visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date, and you should ensure it is stamped on entry. For the most current rules, check the official Brazilian government immigration page or your nearest Brazilian embassy.

Official website

From the airport

Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport (SSA) is 28–32 km from the centre. The metro (with a free shuttle from the terminal) is the cheapest way in; taxis and executive minibuses take about 40–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Getting around

Use the metro for longer hops and city buses or taxis/Uber for short trips; the historic centre is best explored on foot, with the Elevador Lacerda or cable car linking upper and lower town.

Local tips

Dress light and carry sunscreen and rain protection; the rainy season runs April–June and November.
Many dishes are spicy and seafood-based; try acarajé and moqueca from established vendors.
Carry small change for the Elevador Lacerda, buses and small purchases; cards are widely accepted in malls and hotels.
Stay aware of your surroundings, avoid isolated areas after dark and use taxis or ride-hailing at night.

Areas worth knowing

Barra
Itapuã
Comércio (Lower Town)
Pelourinho (Historic Centre)
Rio Vermelho

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on September 29, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK