These are the best places to travel this summer

Bahia

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Brazilian Fishing rustic wooden Boats in Bahia, northeast Brazil - Porto Seguro, Arraial d’Ajuda

Getty Images/iStockphoto

LONELY PLANET’S RECOMMENDED eSIM

Stay connected in Bahia

with

Saily is an affordable eSIM service that helps you stay connected and secure, anywhere in the world.

Get your eSIM

Overview

Brazil's African heritage defines the staggeringly beautiful Northeastern state of Bahia. Bahia’s centerpiece is Salvador, a sprawling colonial city with historic churches, cobblestone streets, lively festivals, powerful percussion reverberating off old stone walls and capoeiristas (practitioners of capoeira) moving against the backdrops of 16th-century buildings. Beyond the city limits, Bahia awaits with more than 550mi (900km) of coastline, World Heritage–listed sites, deserted beaches and paradisaical islands. In the south, idyllic coastal villages attract vacationers and divers, while inland, the spectacular Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina features waterfalls and quiet hiking paths waiting to be explored.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina

    Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina

    Lençóis

    Spanning over 1520 sq km and containing within it innumerable species of plants and animals, deafening waterfalls and vast, rugged plains, Parque Nacional…

  • Historical part of the city Pelourinho, Salvador the capitol of State of Bahia.

    Pelourinho

    Salvador

    The centerpiece of the Cidade Alta is the Pelourinho, a Unesco-declared World Heritage site of colorful colonial buildings and magnificent churches. As…

  • Igreja NS do Bonfim

    Igreja NS do Bonfim

    Salvador

    This famous 18th-century church, located a few kilometers north of Comércio on the Itapagipe Peninsula, is the source of the fitas (colored ribbons) you…

  • Museu Náutico da Bahia

    Museu Náutico da Bahia

    Salvador

    This excellent nautical museum in Forte de Santo Antônio da Barra contains relics and displays from the days of Portuguese seafaring, plus exhibits on the…

  • Praia da Cueira

    Praia da Cueira

    Bahia

    Located about 1.5km outside of the village, Praia da Cueira has a nice stretch of palm-tree-lined beach facing the Atlantic that you'll likely find less…

  • Museu Afro-Brasileiro

    Museu Afro-Brasileiro

    Salvador

    Holding one of Bahia’s most important collections, the Museu Afro-Brasileiro exhibits wood carvings, baskets, pottery and other artwork and crafts linking…

  • Vila Rosa

    Vila Rosa

    Bahia

    Take a break from the beach and head into the forest to Vila Rosa, a beautifully restored cocoa farm. Guided tours take visitors around the plantation to…

  • Forte de Santo Antônio da Barra

    Forte de Santo Antônio da Barra

    Salvador

    Built in 1698, Bahia’s oldest fort is more commonly called the Farol da Barra for the lighthouse (South America’s oldest) within its walls. In addition to…

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Bahia