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Largo do Pelourinho Salvador 2019-9754 (cropped)

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

Salvador · Bahia · Brazil

Discover Salvador.
Guide by guide.

A growing library of guides to the city that holds the Via Avantgarde suites — neighborhood by neighborhood, dish by dish, beach by beach. Editorial, browsable, written by people who live here.

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The guides

Salvador was Brazil's first capital, the cultural heart of the African diaspora in the Americas, with three hundred baroque churches, twelve urban beaches, and the best cooking in the South Atlantic. It has a lot to say. These are the pieces we decided to write first.

The collection

Salvador Guides

65 guides

Largo do Pelourinho Salvador 2019-9754 (cropped)

20 min · 4,800 words

Neighborhoods of Salvador

where to stay and how each corner feels

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

Moqueca de peixe

22 min · 5,100 words

Salvador Dining Guide

the most complete guide to where to eat and drink

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Photo: Gabriel_David_R_Botelho, CC BY-SA 4.0

Praia do Porto da Barra 5

13 min · 3,100 words

Beaches of Salvador

from Porto da Barra to Stella Maris

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Photo: by Luan, CC BY-SA 4.0

AI-generated hero — /historia-afro-brasileira/

18 min · 4,200 words

History & Afro-Brazilian Heritage

Pelourinho, candomblé, capoeira

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AI-generated hero — /musica-vida-noturna-carnaval/

19 min · 4,400 words

Music, Nightlife & Carnival

Olodum, Ilê Aiyê, axé, samba-reggae

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Segunda Praia - Morro de São Paulo - Bahia (2)

16 min · 3,800 words

Day Trips from Salvador

Morro, Boipeba, Praia do Forte, Chapada

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Photo: Beto Quissak, CC BY-SA 4.0

Elevador Lacerda Salvador Bahia Outubro Rosa 2021-1851

17 min · 4,000 words

Practical Salvador Guide

transfers, safety, weather, money

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

Pelourinho, Salvador, Brazil

6 min · 1,500 words

Is Salvador Safe?

a guide for tourists

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Photo: CivArmy, CC BY-SA 4.0

Salvador decada 70 porto da barra desfile maritimo

7 min · 1,360 words

Best Time to Visit

A month-by-month guide

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Photo: André Koehne, CC BY-SA 4.0

Elevador Lacerda Salvador Bahia 20211001-6017

6 min · 1,300 words

Brazil Visa & Entry Guide

who needs a visa in 2026

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

Elevador Lacerda em preto e branco

7 min · 1,480 words

How Many Days in Salvador?

Itineraries for 3 to 7 days

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Photo: Boaventuravinicius, CC BY-SA 4.0

Largo do Pelourinho Salvador 2019-9732

6 min · 1,350 words

Salvador vs Rio de Janeiro

which one should you visit

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

Estação Aeroporto - 07

7 min · 1,340 words

Salvador airport to the city

Transfers, Uber and easy arrival

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Photo: Ajmcbarreto, CC BY-SA 4.0

20 Brazilian Real banknote featuring a Golden Lion Tamarin monkey

10 min · 1,870 words

Money in Brazil

cards, Pix and how much cash to carry

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Photo: Oleg Yunakov, CC BY-SA 4.0

Festa de Iemanjá 2019 by Kátia C. Oliveira 090

7 min · 1,180 words

Bahia Festival Calendar

Salvador's festivals, month by month

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Photo: Ajmcbarreto, CC BY-SA 4.0

Largo do Pelourinho Salvador 2019-9744

7 min · 1,200 words

Portuguese for travelers

Greetings, food and Bahian slang

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

Morrão, no Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina - Bahia crop 2

7 min · 1,258 words

Chapada Diamantina

The interior, from Salvador

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Photo: Jeilsonandrade; derivative work: Julian Herzog, CC BY-SA 3.0

Making Akara (beans balls)

6 min · 1,113 words

Bahian Food

what to eat in Salvador

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Photo: Andikan Efiok Eduok, CC BY-SA 4.0

Porto da Barra (Salvador Bahia) 1921

7 min · 1,150 words

What to Pack for Salvador

a practical Bahia packing list

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Elevador Lacerda Salvador Bahia 20211003-6944

8 min · 1,470 words

Things to Do in Salvador

the eight that are actually worth your time

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

Elevador Lacerda Salvador Bahia 2019-0359

7 min · 1,350 words

Getting Around Salvador

apps, the metro, boats and hills

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

Largo do Pelourinho Salvador 2019-9740

7 min · 1,390 words

Pelourinho

how to see Salvador's historic centre

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

Salvador Bahia Skyline 2018-0901

7 min · 1,390 words

Salvador for Remote Workers

visas, wifi, costs and long stays

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

Fúria e Ginga da Liberdade

7 min · 1,340 words

Capoeira in Salvador

where to watch it, where to try it

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Photo: Eliasrosal, CC BY-SA 4.0

Museu de Arte Moderna da Bahia--Solar do Unhão 2021-7160

10 min · 1,970 words

The Museums of Salvador

the ones worth your afternoon

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

Catedral Basílica de Salvador Nave 2021-6674

10 min · 1,890 words

Churches of Salvador

not 365 — the seven that actually matter

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

Candomblé Itaparica

10 min · 1,890 words

Candomblé for Visitors

how to attend a ceremony respectfully

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Photo: Lionel Scheepmans, CC BY-SA 3.0

Largo do Pelourinho Salvador 2018-0912

11 min · 2,070 words

Solo Travel in Salvador

with a section for women

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

Pelourinho night - panoramio

10 min · 1,840 words

Salvador at Night

where night happens, and how to move

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Photo: Elvis Boaventura, CC BY 3.0

Largo do Pelourinho Salvador 2018-0910

10 min · 1,810 words

Common Tourist Mistakes in Salvador

the twelve — and the easy fix for each

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

Turtle in TAMAR Research Station - Praia do Forte - Bahia - Brazil

10 min · 1,900 words

Salvador With Kids

cobbles included

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Photo: Adam Jones Adam63, CC BY-SA 3.0

Elevador Lacerda Salvador Bahia Outubro Rosa 2021-1851

10 min · 1,890 words

Accessible Salvador

a guide for wheels and weary knees

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

Aeroporto de Salvador

10 min · 1,820 words

Flights to Salvador

every route that works in 2026

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Photo: ME/Portal da Copa, CC BY 3.0 br

Forte de Santo Antônio da Barra Salvador Bahia Guarita Sul 2021-1560

11 min · 2,140 words

Where to Stay in Salvador

the five neighbourhoods compared

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

Realfalso

10 min · 1,810 words

What Salvador Costs

three budgets, in reais

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Photo: Daniel Isaia/Agência Brasil, CC BY 3.0 br

Baía de todos os santos - Sheila Oliveira r2

9 min · 1,692 words

Is Salvador Worth Visiting?

the case for and against

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Photo: Sheilaoliveira35, CC BY-SA 4.0

Porto de Salvador Bahia Vista Aérea 2021-0005

9 min · 1,690 words

Salvador Cruise Port Guide

the perfect day ashore, on foot

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Mercado Modelo Salvador Bahia Interior 2021-5964

9 min · 1,793 words

Salvador in the Rain

the wet-season plan, squall by squall

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

Trio Elétrico Salvador Bahia Carnaval 2005

12 min · 2,190 words

Salvador Carnival Guide

pipoca, abadá or camarote — and when to book

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Photo: Tennessee7, CC BY-SA 3.0

Hospital São João de Deus Cachoeira Bahia 2017-9692

9 min · 1,730 words

São João in Bahia

the June festival Carnival never exported

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

Festa de Iemanjá 2019 by Kátia C. Oliveira 089

7 min · 1,381 words

New Year and the Festa de Iemanjá

salvador's two nights in white

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Photo: Ajmcbarreto, CC BY-SA 4.0

Barraca da Praia do Leme

11 min · 2,060 words

Brazil Beach Culture

the unwritten rules of the sand

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Photo: DiegoL569, CC BY-SA 4.0

SANTOS PRAIA DO FORTE BAHIA 2

10 min · 1,823 words

Beaches Near Salvador

everything beyond the city sand

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Photo: Ademir Santos, CC BY-SA 3.0

Capela de Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, Ilha dos Frades, Salvador, Bahia - 2025-07-22 - DSCN5293

9 min · 1,710 words

Boat Trips on the Bay of All Saints

the classic schooner and the cheap crossings

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Photo: Paulo SP/ Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Cais do Porto

9 min · 1,790 words

Sunset Spots in Salvador

the seven spots and when to turn up

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Photo: Juniormsoares, CC BY-SA 4.0

Forte do Morro de São Paulo

10 min · 1,811 words

Morro de São Paulo from Salvador

catamaran, air taxi and the day-trip math

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Photo: AnibalBezerra, CC BY-SA 4.0

Praia do Forte - Roberta Mendes de Sá(3)

9 min · 1,656 words

Praia do Forte Day Trip

turtles, reef pools and a castle

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Photo: Roberta.msa, CC BY-SA 4.0

Centro Histórico de Itaparica Bahia 2018-0654

10 min · 1,854 words

Itaparica Island

the island everyone sees, few visit

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

Correios Cachoeira Bahia 2019-9422

8 min · 1,614 words

Cachoeira and the Recôncavo

the culture-first inland day trip

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

Acarajé 1

8 min · 1,590 words

Vegetarian and Vegan Salvador

eating well off the seafood menu

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Photo: Melsj, CC BY-SA 4.0

Acarajé - A baiana do Acarajé Claudia Baiana

10 min · 1,913 words

Salvador Street Food

the tabuleiro, stand by stand

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15-09-26-RalfR-WLC-0048

10 min · 1,887 words

Brazilian Drinks

from the caipirinha to the cafezinho

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Photo: Ralf Roletschek, CC BY-SA 3.0

Rio Vermelho Salvador Bahia Aerial View 2021-0475

8 min · 1,550 words

Rio Vermelho

Salvador's bohemian night quarter

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

Forte de Santo Antônio--Farol da Barra Salvador Bahia Vista Aérea 2021-0149

10 min · 1,849 words

Barra Neighbourhood Guide

the other place everyone stays

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

Mercado Modelo Salvador Bahia 2021-6320

12 min · 1,480 words

Mercado Modelo Guide

the craft market at the foot of the lift

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

Basílica do Senhor do Bonfim

11 min · 1,360 words

The Bonfim Church & Its Ribbons

the sacred hill and the wish ribbons

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Photo: Natally Acioli, CC BY-SA 4.0

Festa Sr. do Bonfim

11 min · 1,340 words

The Lavagem do Bonfim

the biggest festival after Carnival

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Photo: Milena Cintra, CC BY-SA 4.0

Vista de Salvador a partir do Wish Hotel Bahia, Dois de Julho, Salvador, julho de 2025 (4)

11 min · 1,320 words

Dois de Julho — Bahia's Independence

Bahia's true independence day

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Photo: Fronteira, CC BY-SA 4.0

2011.11.22.154743 Lighthouse Itapuã Salvador Brazil

11 min · 1,340 words

Itapuã Neighbourhood Guide

the beach that became a song

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Ilha de Boipeba, Bahia, Brasil

11 min · 1,300 words

Ilha de Boipeba from Salvador

the quiet alternative to Morro

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Photo: Tania Freire, CC BY-SA 4.0

Olodum Drum

11 min · 1,300 words

Olodum & the Bloco Rehearsals

the drums the world knows

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Pôr do sol na Barra, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil

10 min · 1,220 words

Romantic Salvador & Honeymoons

sunsets, dinner for two and islands

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Photo: IURIX, CC BY-SA 4.0

Pelourinho (Salvador) 001

10 min · 1,220 words

LGBTQ+ Salvador Guide

one of Brazil's most open cities

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Photo: Germanramos, CC BY-SA 4.0

Largo do Pelourinho Salvador 2019-9758

10 min · 1,220 words

Vaccines & Health for Bahia

yellow fever, mosquitoes and the basics

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

Elevador Lacerda Salvador Bahia Outubro Rosa 2021-1851

32 min · 6,480 words

Hotels Near the Elevador Lacerda

and the walk to each one

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

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