Activities in Salvador and the Northeast are exceptionally rich, as much cultural as natural. In Salvador, must-dos: Pelourinho (3-4h guided tour €20-40/person, or independent by day), Igreja de São Francisco (1708, interior entirely gold-covered, €5), Elevador Lacerda (Art Deco 1873 elevator connecting Upper and Lower City, €0.05), Mercado Modelo (former slave market turned artisan market), Forte da Capoeira (capoeira classes and demonstrations, €15-30/hour).
Afro-Brazilian cultural activities: capoeira classes at Associação de Capoeira Mestre Bimba (€15-30/hour initiation, historic school founded 1932), candomblé ceremony (terreiro visit with respectful operator, like Casa Branca, free with offering but cultural codes to respect), Bahian cooking class (moqueca, vatapá, acarajé preparation, €60-100/half-day, Cozinha do Senac), samba-reggae show with Olodum or Ilê Aiyê (Tuesdays Pelourinho, €10-30 entry).
Excursions from Salvador: Baía de Todos os Santos cruise with stop at Itaparica (island, day €35-50), Cachoeira excursion (colonial city and Bahian Recôncavo capital, 100 km, 2h, €50-80), Praia do Forte excursion and Tamar Project (sea turtles, day €40-60), catamaran to Morro de São Paulo (2h boat, transfer €40-70 return).
In Chapada Diamantina, must-dos: Cachoeira da Fumaça (380 m high, Brazil's 2nd highest free waterfall, 6h hike from Vale do Capão), Poço Encantado and Poço Azul (cave-lakes with turquoise waters illuminated by sunbeam between April and August — one of Brazil's most magical sites, accessible only by guided tour €50-80), Cachoeira do Buracão (waterfall pool in canyon bottom, possible swimming, €35), Morro do Pai Inácio (iconic sunset, 360° panorama on tabular range), Vale do Pati (3-5 day trek with home stays, €600-1,000 all-inclusive guide + meals + transport, one of South America's most beautiful hikes).
On Bahian beaches, classic activities: swimming and sunbathing, snorkelling (accessible reefs at Praia do Forte, Boipeba, Morro de São Paulo), surfing (Itacaré world spot), kitesurfing (Cumbuco, near Fortaleza), catamaran excursion, diving (Tinharé). In Trancoso, the must-do is sunset stroll on the Quadrado (historic square with blue 1586 church and colonial colourful houses).
Further north, in Recife and Olinda (Pernambuco), traditional Carnival with giant bonecos and frevo, artisan markets, seafood gastronomy. In Jericoacoara (Ceará), buggy in dunes, kitesurfing, mythical sunset on Duna do Pôr do Sol. In Lençóis Maranhenses, 4WD excursion in dunes and turquoise lagoon swimming (€40-80, day, Barreirinhas base).
Read also
- Salvador da Bahia — UNESCO Pelourinho, capoeira, candomblé and Carnival — the Afro-Brazilian soul.
- Chapada Diamantina — Spectacular national park: waterfalls, caves, turquoise Poço Encantado.
- Brazil — Complete country-continent guide: regions, formalities, best time.
- Rio and Southeast — Combine with Salvador (1h flight) for a complete Rio + Bahia trip.