Pelourinho walking tour: Salvador’s Afro-Brazilian history
The top-rated Pelourinho tour is the historic walking tour at €40 (4.9/5 from 90 reviews), followed by Pelourinho, past to present (€45, 4.9/5 from 62) and the old town tour with a local guide (€46, 5.0/5). For a deep dive into Afro-Brazilian history, the private Afro-Brazilian roots tour costs €135 (4.8/5 from 128 reviews). There are 6 Pelourinho and old town tours, from €40 with a median price of €65.
Prices, ratings and review counts updated on November 9, 2026 from the GetYourGuide catalogue. Tours Brasil is a GetYourGuide affiliate: booking through our links costs you the same and we earn a small commission.
The Pelourinho is Salvador’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Its name means pillory, where enslaved people were publicly punished, and that history runs through every square: Salvador was for centuries one of the Americas’ main slave ports, and from that came capoeira, candomblé, samba de roda and much of Bahian cooking. Every figure below comes from the Tours Brasil catalogue of things to do in Salvador and Bahia.
The 10 best Pelourinho and Afro-Brazilian tours
- Historic Pelourinho walking tour — €40, 4.9/5 from 90 reviews. The most reviewed and cheapest old town tour: baroque churches, squares and the history of slavery told on the spot.
- Pelourinho, past to present — €45, 4.9/5 from 62 reviews. Colonial history plus the neighbourhood’s music and communities today.
- Old town walking tour with a local guide (3 hours) — €46, 5.0/5 from 7 reviews.
- Private Salvador highlights tour — €84, 4.7/5 from 308 reviews, the most reviewed activity in the city, covering the Pelourinho, Lower Town and seafront.
- Private Afro-Brazilian roots tour — €135, 4.8/5 from 128 reviews, 6 hours.
- African culture tour — €101, 4.5/5 from 68 reviews, 3 hours.
- African heritage tour with acarajé tasting — €118, 4.9/5 from 41 reviews, 4 hours with pickup.
- Capoeira class at Mestre Bimba’s first school — €36, 4.9/5 from 50 reviews.
- Capoeira, samba and drumming night — €25, 4.9/5 from 54 reviews.
- Day trip to the colonial town of Cachoeira — €185, 4.6/5 from 22 reviews, 8 hours.
Quick comparison: price, rating and pickup
| Activity | From | Rating | Reviews | Duration | Spanish guide | Pickup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Historic Pelourinho walking tour | €40 | 4.9/5 | 90 | — | No | No |
| Pelourinho, past to present | €45 | 4.9/5 | 62 | — | No | No |
| Old town with a local guide (3 h) | €46 | 5/5 | 7 | — | No | No |
| Private city highlights tour | €84 | 4.7/5 | 308 | — | No | No |
| Private Afro-Brazilian roots tour | €135 | 4.8/5 | 128 | 6 h | Yes | No |
| African culture tour | €101 | 4.5/5 | 68 | 3 h | Yes | No |
| African heritage and acarajé tasting | €118 | 4.9/5 | 41 | 4 h | Yes | Yes |
| Capoeira class (Mestre Bimba) | €36 | 4.9/5 | 50 | — | No | No |
Salvador & Bahia
Salvador: tour privado por lo más destacado de la ciudad
4.7 (308) from€84
Salvador & Bahia6 h
Tour privado de la ciudad de Salvador sobre las raíces afrobrasileñas
Spanish
4.8 (128) from€135
Salvador & Bahia
Tour histórico a pie por Salvador: Pelourinho
4.9 (90) from
Salvador & Bahia
Salvador de Bahía: Pelourinho, del pasado al presente
4.9 (62) from€45
Salvador & Bahia8 h
Desde Salvador: excursión de 1 día a la ciudad colonial de Cachoeira
Spanish
4.6 (22) from€185
Salvador & Bahia
Salvador: tour a pie por el centro histórico con guía local (3 h)
5.0 (7) from€46
Which tour to choose
Best value walking tour
The €40 historic walking tour pairs the top rating with 90 reviews. Pelourinho, past to present costs €5 more with the same score and a more contemporary angle.
Afro-Brazilian history in depth
Choose the private Afro-Brazilian roots tour (€135, 6 hours). Short on time? Try the African culture tour (€101, 3 hours) or the heritage tour with acarajé (€118, pickup included).
Families and your own pace
The private highlights tour (€84, 308 reviews) adapts to your group and adds the Lower Town and Barra. A custom private tour with a local guide (€60) lets you choose 2 to 8 hours.
2-day itinerary
Day 1: the historic walking tour (€40), a capoeira class at Mestre Bimba’s school (€36) and the capoeira and samba night (€25). Activities: €101.
Day 2: the African heritage tour with acarajé (€118), the Lacerda Elevator down to the Lower Town and a samba de Bahia session (€36). Activities: €154.
Total: €255 per person over two days. Budget version: walking tour and capoeira night on day 1, Pelourinho past to present and the drumming workshop on day 2, for €146 in total. With a third day, add Cachoeira (€185).
How much does a Pelourinho tour cost?
- Shared Pelourinho and old town walking tours: €40–46.
- Private city tours: €60 (custom) and €84 (highlights).
- Afro-Brazilian history and culture tours: €101–135.
- Music and capoeira experiences: €25–36.
- Cachoeira day trip: €185.
The median Pelourinho tour costs €65, against €59 for Salvador as a whole. Church and museum tickets are usually not included in walking tours, so check the listing.
What you will see
Largo do Pelourinho: the sloping square of colourful colonial houses, home to the Jorge Amado House Foundation and the church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos, built by a brotherhood of enslaved and freed Black people. Terreiro de Jesus and São Francisco: the cathedral square and, nearby, the São Francisco church and convent, famous for its gilded baroque interior. Lacerda Elevator: the art deco lift down to the Lower Town and the Mercado Modelo, with sweeping views of the Bay of All Saints.
Plan your visit: the airport is about 30 km from the old town; September to March is drier; stay in the Pelourinho or Santo Antônio Além do Carmo to do everything on foot, or in Barra for the beach. More ideas in our guide to things to do in Salvador, Bahia.
Practical tips
- Do your first walk by day and with a guide.
- Wear good shoes: the streets are cobbled and steep.
- The 3 Pelourinho walking tours do not list a Spanish-speaking guide; check each listing for English options.
- At night, use taxis or ride-hailing apps between neighbourhoods and avoid empty streets.
- Ask before photographing people, especially the baianas in their white dresses.
FAQ
What is the best Pelourinho tour?
The €40 historic walking tour, rated 4.9/5 from 90 reviews, followed by Pelourinho, past to present (€45, 4.9/5 from 62 reviews).
How long does a Pelourinho tour take?
The old town tour with a local guide lasts 3 hours; the other two walking tour listings do not state a duration. Afro-Brazilian culture tours run 3 to 6 hours.
Which Pelourinho tour is best on a budget?
The €40 historic walking tour plus the €25 capoeira, samba and drumming night: €65 in total for the two best-value experiences in Salvador, both rated 4.9/5. Add the €36 capoeira class at Mestre Bimba’s school if you want to try it yourself.
Why is it called Pelourinho?
Pelourinho means pillory in Portuguese: the post where enslaved people were publicly punished in colonial times.
Is the Pelourinho safe?
By day the main streets are busy and policed. Go with a guide the first time, keep valuables out of sight and use taxis or apps at night.
When is the best time to visit Salvador?
September to March, when it rains less. In February, Carnival fills the old town.
Do I need a visa for Brazil?
Since 10 April 2025, US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa to visit Brazil. UK and EU passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Always check the official Brazilian consulate website before travelling.
Related searches
- Pelourinho tour
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- acarajé tasting
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- things to do in Brazil
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