Things to do in Salvador, Bahia: Pelourinho, capoeira and day trips

Wondering about the best things to do in Salvador Bahia? Start with a Pelourinho walking tour (from €40, 4.9/5), a capoeira class at Mestre Bimba’s first school (€36), a day trip to Morro de São Paulo (from €76 with pickup) and a boat trip to Frades Island and Itaparica (from €39). The catalogue lists 40 activities in Salvador, from €19, with a median price of about €59 per person.

Salvador was Brazil’s first capital and is its most African city: history, music, religion and food all spill onto the streets. Below are the top-rated experiences, what they cost and how to combine them. Every price and rating comes from the Tours Brasil catalogue of things to do in Salvador and Bahia.

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 10 best things to do in Salvador

1. Historic Pelourinho walking tour — from €40, 4.9/5 from 90 reviews. The UNESCO-listed colonial old town, with baroque churches and colourful squares.
2. Private city highlights tour — from €84, 4.7/5 and 308 reviews, the most reviewed activity in Salvador. Upper Town, Lower Town and the seafront at your own pace.
3. Morro de São Paulo day trip — from €76, 4.5/5 from 126 reviews, with hotel pickup. Bahia’s best-known car-free island.
4. Frades Island and Itaparica by boat — from €42 for a 9-hour trip; the schooner version costs €39 (3.9/5 from 149 reviews).
5. African heritage tour with acarajé tasting — from €118, 4 hours, 4.9/5, with pickup. Afro-Brazilian history plus Bahia’s signature street snack.
6. Private Afro-Brazilian roots tour — from €135, 6 hours, 4.8/5 from 128 reviews. The deepest dive into the city’s identity.
7. Capoeira class at Mestre Bimba’s school — €36, 4.9/5 from 50 reviews, where regional capoeira was born.
8. Capoeira, samba and drumming night — from €25, 4.9/5. A live show with plenty of rhythm on a small budget.
9. Samba de Bahia cultural session — €36, 1 hour, 4.9/5 from 70 reviews.
10. Praia do Forte and Guarajuba — from €38, 8 hours with pickup. Beaches and a relaxed village on the north coast.

Also highly rated: a Bahian cooking class with 9 recipes (€58, 4.8/5), a local bar night out (€19, 5.0/5) and a Afro-Brazilian drumming workshop (€36, 4.8/5).

Quick comparison: price, rating and pickup

Activity	From	Rating	Reviews	Duration	Spanish guide	Pickup
Pelourinho walking tour	€40	4.9/5	90	—	No	No
Private city tour	€84	4.7/5	308	—	No	No
Morro de São Paulo day trip	€76	4.5/5	126	4 h	Yes	Yes
Frades and Itaparica islands	€42	4.3/5	25	9 h	Yes	No
African heritage and acarajé	€118	4.9/5	41	4 h	Yes	Yes
Capoeira class (Mestre Bimba)	€36	4.9/5	50	—	No	No
Capoeira and samba night	€25	4.9/5	54	—	No	No
Praia do Forte and Guarajuba	€38	4.2/5	74	8 h	Yes	Yes

How to plan your days

One or two days

Spend a morning in the Pelourinho with a guide, ride the Lacerda Elevator down to the Lower Town and the Mercado Modelo, then watch sunset at Farol da Barra. End with the capoeira and samba night.

Three to five days

Add a sea day: Frades and Itaparica is the easiest island trip, while Morro de São Paulo is livelier. A one-way transfer to Morro starts at €55 if you want to stay overnight. Use another day for Praia do Forte.

For Afro-Brazilian culture

This is Salvador’s main draw. Pair the African heritage tour with a capoeira class and, respectfully and with a local guide, a candomblé ceremony (from €59). History lovers can add the colonial town of Cachoeira (€185, 8 hours).

3-day Salvador itinerary

Day 1: Pelourinho walking tour (€40), the Lacerda Elevator and Mercado Modelo, sunset at Farol da Barra and a capoeira and samba night (€25). Activities: €65.

Day 2: a full day on the bay with Frades and Itaparica (€42, 9 hours), then a local bar night (€19). Activities: €61.

Day 3: the African heritage tour with acarajé (€118, pickup included) and a capoeira class (€36). Activities: €154. Budget swap: a Praia do Forte day trip (€38) instead of the heritage tour.

That is about €280 per person in activities over three full days, or about €164 on the budget version.

How much do activities in Salvador cost?

• Music, capoeira and nightlife: €19–36.
• Pelourinho and old town walking tours: €40–46.
• Boat trips to the bay islands: €39–42.
• Cooking classes: €51–58; a meal in a local family home costs €135.
• Day trips: Praia do Forte from €25, Morro de São Paulo from €76, Cachoeira €185.
• Private and Afro-Brazilian culture tours: €84–135.

Salvador is one of the best-value destinations in Brazil: most cultural experiences cost less than a dinner out, and even the full-day island trips stay under €80 per person. Private tours are worth it if you want a guide to yourself or travel as a family.

The median activity costs about €59, noticeably cheaper than Rio or São Paulo. Prices are refreshed daily; you see the final one when you choose a date.

Plan your trip

Getting there: Salvador’s international airport is about 30 km from the old town; taxis, ride-hailing apps and the metro link it to the city. Getting around: the Lacerda Elevator joins the Upper and Lower Town; use taxis or apps for Barra and Rio Vermelho. When to go: it is warm all year; April to June tends to be the rainiest stretch, and Carnival in February is one of Brazil’s biggest.

Where to stay: the Pelourinho and Santo Antônio Além do Carmo for colonial charm on foot, Barra for the beach and seafront, Rio Vermelho for bars and nightlife.

Practical tips

• Explore the Pelourinho by day and with a guide on your first visit.
• At night, use taxis or ride-hailing apps between neighbourhoods and avoid empty streets.
• Check the sea forecast before island trips; most bookings allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
• Try acarajé from a street stall, and ask for it mild if you are not used to chilli.
• Look for the Spanish-speaking guide or English options on each activity page; 15 of Salvador’s 40 activities list a Spanish-speaking guide.
• Wear good shoes: the old town is built on a hill and its cobbled streets are steep.

FAQ

How many days do you need in Salvador?

Two days cover the old town, Lower Town and Barra. Four or five let you add an island, the north coast and a cultural experience.

What is the top-rated activity?

The Pelourinho walking tour and the African heritage tour with acarajé, both 4.9/5. The private highlights tour has the most reviews (308).

How do I get from Salvador to Morro de São Paulo?

Book the day trip with pickup (from €76) or just the transfer (from €55) if you plan to stay on the island.

Where can I see or learn capoeira?

The class at Mestre Bimba’s school costs €36 and the capoeira, samba and drumming night starts at €25. Both are rated above 4.9/5, so they are an easy win even on a short stay.

Is Salvador good for a first trip to Brazil?

Yes, especially if you are interested in culture and music. It pairs well with Rio or the beaches of the northeast; see our 15-day Brazil itinerary (in Spanish) for a route idea.

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.

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