3 Days in Salvador Itinerary: Pelourinho, Barra Sunset, Bonfim & Bay Islands

Three full days in Salvador give you time to explore the UNESCO Upper and Lower Cities without rushing, trace the spiritual and culinary heritage of the Itapagipe Peninsula and Rio Vermelho, and spend a third day sailing across the tropical islands of All Saints' Bay.

Day 1: UNESCO Pelourinho, Golden São Francisco, Elevador Lacerda & Farol da Barra Sunset

• 09:00: Praça Municipal to Terreiro de Jesus: Start at the cliff-top viewpoint of Praça Tomé de Sousa beside the 1900 Rio Branco Palace, then walk onto Terreiro de Jesus to tour the seventeenth-century Jesuit Cathedral Basilica and the Afro-Brazilian Museum (MAFRO).
• 10:30: The Golden Church of São Francisco and Largo do Pelourinho: Step into the dazzling gold-leaf interior and azulejo cloister of the Church and Convent of São Francisco and the carved sandstone facade of the Third Order next door. Descend cobblestone Largo do Pelourinho to visit the blue Church of Rosário dos Pretos and the Jorge Amado Foundation.
• 13:30: Elevador Lacerda and Lower City Lunch: Ride the 72-metre Elevador Lacerda down to Cidade Baixa, visit the limestone Basilica of Conceição da Praia, and browse handicrafts inside the 1861 Mercado Modelo.
• 16:00: Swim at Porto da Barra and Sunset at Farol da Barra: Take an Uber south to Praia do Porto da Barra for a late-afternoon swim, then walk out to the 1534 Forte de Santo Antônio (Farol da Barra) for sunset.

Day 2: Bonfim Basilica, Monte Serrat, Solar do Unhão (MAM) & Rio Vermelho

• 09:00: Basilica of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim and Ponta de Humaitá: Head north to the Itapagipe Peninsula to tie wish ribbons at the 1754 Bonfim Basilica, explore the ex-voto Room of Miracles, and walk out to the 1583 Forte de Nossa Senhora de Monte Serrat and Humaitá lighthouse.
• 12:30: Ribera Ice Cream and Moqueca Lunch: Cool off at classic Sorveteria da Ribeira (founded 1931) with tropical fruit ice creams such as cajá, pitanga, and tapioca, followed by a clay-pot moqueca baiana lunch.
• 15:30: Solar do Unhão (MAM) and Santo Antônio: Visit the waterfront sculpture park of Solar do Unhão, then spend the evening in Rio Vermelho touring Jorge Amado's house and tasting freshly fried acarajé on Largo de Santana.

Day 3: Schooner to Ilha dos Frades (or Praia do Forte) & Evening in Santo Antônio

• 08:30: Island Cruise on Baía de Todos-os-Santos (or Praia do Forte): Board a morning schooner or speedboat from the Terminal Náutico behind Mercado Modelo across the bay to Ilha dos Frades (swimming at the Blue Flag beach of Ponta de Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe) and Ilha de Itaparica. Alternatively, take a day trip 80 kilometres north along the Coconut Coast to the sea turtle sanctuary of Projeto TAMAR at Praia do Forte.
• 19:00: Dinner Overlooking the Bay in Santo Antônio Além do Carmo: Finish your trip with dinner on a colonial balcony terrace along Rua Direita de Santo Antônio.