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Beaches

Salvador da Bahia is famous for its beach holidays. Furthermore, when we think of holidays by the sea in Brazil, we inevitably evoke this city. It is one of the sunniest destinations in Brazil and is also home to a multitude of exceptional beaches. Discover the most beautiful of them.

Farol de Barra

On the coast of the State of Bahia, in the district of Barra, the urban beach of “Farol da Barra” should not be neglected in any travel itinerary in Brazil carried out in Bahia. And for good reasons, it is extremely beautiful and unique, with its historic lighthouse reaching a height of 22 m. Furthermore, Farol da Barra is one of the beaches in Salvador da Bahia where swimming is not dangerous. The waters are calm and transparent with an always excellent temperature.

Porto da Barra Beach

At the entrance to Baía de Todos os Santos, Porto da Barra Beach is incredibly beautiful and fascinating. In addition, it is one of the most beautiful Brazilian beaches. In the heart of the city of Salvador, in the Barra district, it enjoys an exceptional environment framed by two monuments. The waters are calm and clear, ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
At one end is a small white colonial fort: the Fort of Santa Maria, while at the other you will see a whitewashed church: the Church of Santo Antônio da Barra. The fort was built in 1614 and still displays the friezes of the Brazilian Empire. The Santo Antônio da Barra Church was built in 1595.
This urban beach is frequented throughout the year by locals and tourists. Inland, it is bordered by several restaurants that allow you to taste Bahian cuisine. Some of these establishments are open until the early hours of the morning, so show up at night before heading back to rest.

Rio Vermelho Beach

Frequented by artists in the 70s, this place predates Praia de Ondina and is located in the homonymous neighborhood of Salvador. Currently the Rio Vermelho beach is known for the pollution of its waters, but the stretch called Buracão still preserves the quality of the water, becoming one of the only sections suitable for swimming. The beach has many stones that divide the sea water into three small coves that keep calm and calm waters. The region serves as a shelter and harbor for multicolored fishing boats. The beach also has a small square and sports court. In this cove is the Casa de Yemanjá, a place made with stones and which has a beautiful sculpture of the Queen of the Sea. On February 2nd, the feast of Yemanjá is celebrated, and several people demonstrate their faith by visiting the house and taking offerings to her. . The neighborhood is bohemian and during the Bahian night many tourists go to the restaurants and bars in the region. In addition, tourists have a mandatory stop at the kiosks of the Bahian women who work there, as they are responsible for the best acarajés in the city.

Itapuã Beach

The neighborhood of Itapuã is a must-see for walks in Salvador. Its beach has undergone several improvements and today is one of the most beautiful in the city. During the Salvador carnival, it is in these places that the Bahians or “Baianas” get together to wash the steps of the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição de Itapuã. All dressed in their traditional white attire, these women use ceramic vases that fill with perfumed water and flowers to perform their ritual.
Itapuã beach is located in the north of Salvador, bordering the bay of Todos os Santos. In addition to carnival, it is very popular and appreciated for the numerous natural pools that form in its rock formations. Thanks to the coral reef that protects it offshore, its waters are calm and that’s why families like to go there.
Surfers and other water sports enthusiasts will find their happiness there too. If you want to get away from the golden sands of the beach and its crystal clear waters, consider visiting the neighboring Itapuã Lighthouse.
Itapuã has always been the meeting point for the most influential people in Salvador da Bahia and, in general, in the world. Rua de Mùsica, also known as Rua K, passes close to Itapuã and has already received some personalities from music and sports. But this area was not always like this. It was originally occupied by fishermen, who sometimes return to sell fresh fish.

To have a great day in Itapuã, you don’t need to take food and other snacks. The restaurants along the beach offer everything you need.

Flamengo Beach

Praia do Flamengo is located on the border with the municipality of Lauro de Freitas, close to Salvador da Bahia Airport. Although very frequented by tourists and locals, the presence of small dunes, coconut trees and stones creates a secluded and almost intimate environment, perfect for spending an afternoon on the beach and in complete relaxation.
The large waves of Praia do Flamengo attract thousands of kite surfers, surfers and divers in search of treasure every year. The space is well equipped for renting umbrellas and sunbeds, and close to the beach you will also find several hotels, restaurants and holiday homes to make your stay really comfortable. There is also a service area where you can rent tents. The beach is also frequented by many street vendors who sell ice cream, coconuts and other summer delicacies to refresh the afternoon.

Praia do forte

If you like to drive, about 80 km from the city of Salvador you will find Praia do Forte. It is a very nice and attractive beach. This is an unmissable trip for a trip to Brazil worthy of the name. It combines idyllic landscapes with a touch of history. You should know that the beach, whose name means “beach of the fort”, takes its name from an old fort that was built there. The latter was destroyed, but the castle it protected, Chateau Garcia d’Avila, is still on a nearby hill. The building, also known as Casa da Torre, dates back to 1551, so don’t forget to take a look.
In addition, Praia do Forte is also an ecological site. It brings together an entire ecosystem marked by abundant specific vegetation on the Atlantic coast. It is also here that you will find the Tamar Nature Reserve, famous for sea turtles. The place is open all year round, but if you are lucky to be there between July and September, you can help the volunteers to protect the turtle nests. And if your stay in Salvador lasts until the summer, you will be able to witness the hatching of eggs and the first turtle race to reach the sea, a show that you don’t see every day.
Note that from July to October, Praia do Forte is also a place to watch humpback whales.
Praia de Forte is located in the Mata neighborhood of São João. It is a strip of fine sand that extends for almost 60 km along the Costa dos Coqueiros. To enjoy its most beautiful landscapes, try going at dawn to see the sunrise. Once the sun is high in the sky, all you need to do is explore its many dive sites, go canoeing, swimming…

The islands and their beaches

Boipeba Island and his beaches 

The beaches of Ilha de Boipeba are located in the Tinharé Archipelago of the Municipality of Cairu, in the south of the State of Bahia. They are further away from the crowds of the city of Salvador.
Surrounded by the sea on one side and the Hell River estuary on the other, this beach stands out from all the others mentioned so far for the rugged beauty of the surrounding landscapes. Therefore, it is no coincidence that the region has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve.
Boipeba is the ideal place for travelers who want a peaceful stay and immerse themselves in untouched nature, in a haven of peace and relaxation and without agglomeration. This is where you need to come if you want to disconnect, give up on technology, and forget about the routine. Enjoy the shade of the palm trees, the golden sand beach, hiking, boating or canoeing and, of course, the golden beach of Brazil.
“Boipeba” is a word that comes from the Tupi language and means “flat snake”, referring to the sea turtle. Among the colonized areas of Bahia, Boipeba was one of the first. In 1537, the Jesuits founded the village and residence of Boipeba and the island is home to the villages of Velha Boipeba, São Sebastião (Cova de Onça), Moreré and Monte Alegre. Boipeba is accessible by river or sea, and circulation is only allowed on foot or with a tractor.
This characteristic, of course, favors a certain type of tourism and allows the island to preserve its somewhat wild charm. There you will find the dense Atlantic Forest, coconut trees and a coral reef: an incredible spectacle! And speaking of coral reefs, the visitor can take a dip in the sea, protected by this natural structure and therefore more peaceful, but remaining incredibly beautiful. Boipeba is the perfect place to dive and admire a wide variety of fish, crustaceans, corals, sea urchins, starfish and, of course, turtles that gave the island its name. . It is also possible to see humpback whales in the right season.

The beaches of Morro de São Paulo
Welcome to the beaches of Morro de São Paulo. These beaches are called in numerical order: first, second, third, fourth and Praia do Encanto, also called fifth beach. These wonderful places not only allow you to immerse yourself in the coastal life of Bahia, but also enjoy unique attractions and experiences that attract tourists from all over the world. Enjoy the golden sands, the crystal clear waters and, in the background, like a charm, the beauties of the Atlantic Forest.
The first beach in Morro de São Paulo is the main place for sports in the region. The second beach is a more exclusive place frequented by revelers, where nightclubs and restaurants are open until dawn. Those who like tranquility and serenity should prefer to go between the third and fourth beaches, calm, preserved and surrounded by stunning landscapes.
Morro de São Paulo Beach also has smaller and less crowded coves, perfect for a dip in nature or if you decide to go to Salvador in high season. Also be sure to visit Ponta de Pedra, Porto de Cima, Prainha do Forte and Praia da Gamboa do Morro. With the exception of Gamboa, which has infrastructure and accommodation services, the other beaches do not cater to tourists and, therefore, remain much more natural and authentic. The fifth beach is Praia do Encanto, surrounded by beautiful mangroves that create the perfect environment for taking pictures.