Pelourinho

Salvador

Pelourinho which includes a square or plaza, street scenes and a church or cathedral
Pelourinho showing street scenes and a coastal town
Pelourinho featuring street scenes
Pelourinho which includes street scenes and a church or cathedral as well as a small group of people
Pelourinho showing a house and street scenes as well as a small group of people

The soul of Salvador’s Historic Centre is a vibrant district of cobblestone streets framed by ancient churches, colonial mansions, museums and cultural centres.

With its art galleries, inspiring architecture and museums, Pelourinho is one of the best places to experience the flamboyant atmosphere of Salvador. Pelourinho is the core and spiritual heart of the city’s Historic Center, a district declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Spend your time wandering along stone alleys and admiring well-preserved monuments from the 17th and 18th centuries. Sample Bahian cuisine at café-lined squares and enjoy performances of the capoeira martial art.

Start your tour of this historic neighborhood in Largo do Pelourinho, a square that was once the site of public floggings. Visit Our Lady of the Rosary of Black PeopleOpens in a new window, a church built by slaves over a period of around 100 years. Come on a Sunday to witness a huge Mass service accompanied by Candomblé-influenced music. Stroll uphill past brightly painted colonial houses characterized by iron balconies and stucco work.

Go to the Fundação Casa de Jorge Amado exhibition center. Browse the permanent displays that showcase the life’s work of famed Brazilian writer Jorge Amado. Close by is the city museum, Museu da Ciadade. Spot paintings by acclaimed Bahian artists, such as Presciliano Silva, plus pottery, tapestries and woodcarvings typical of the region.

Continue to Terreiro de JesusOpens in a new window, which is possibly Salvador’s most eye-catching square. Colonial mansions stand next to resplendent churches, including the Cathedral of SalvadorOpens in a new window, Church of São Pedro dos Clérigos and the Church of São Domingos Gusmão. Admire the architectural prowess from the cafés and restaurants, several with outdoor seating areas. Dine on two classic Bahian dishes: acarajé, deep-fried and spice beans, and moqueca, which is fish or shrimp stew.

While at Terreiro de Jesus, bargain with the vendors for regional handicrafts. Sit and watch impromptu capoeira dance performances. The south side of the square connects with Largo do Cruzeiro de São Francisco, which leads to the Sao Francisco Church and Convent of SalvadorOpens in a new window.

Located in Salvador’s city center, Pelourinho is easily accessible by foot and via public buses. If arriving from the city’s beach suburbs then catch a bus bound for Praça da Sé and walk from there.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Pelourinho

A Casa dos Mestres
A Casa dos Mestres
2 out of 5
R. de São Francisco, 26 Centro, Salvador, BA
The price is S$35 per night from 3 Jul to 4 Jul
S$35
3 Jul - 4 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this pousada in Salvador. Enjoy free WiFi, housekeeping, and climate control. Popular attractions Porto da Barra Beach and Farol da Barra Beach are located ...
Anfitriãs
"Ambiente simples mas bem limpo e aconchegante. O anfitrião Carlos é muito gentil e nos recebeu próximo à meia noite, quando chegamos do aeroporto. A localização é interessante: fica num beco apertado, todavia é muito fácil se deslocar no centro da cidade, inclusive, da para ir a pé para o elevador ..."

Reviewed on 21 Apr, 2025

A Casa dos Mestres
Pousada da Mangueira
Pousada da Mangueira
3 out of 5
Ladeira da Saúde 9 - Bairro da Saúde, Salvador, BA
The price is S$109 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
S$109
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star pousada in Salvador. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (227 reviews)
Great stay.
"Fantastic stay. Great location, walkable to centre. Lovely pool and friendly staff. Good breakfast too. With a lift it would have been perfect!"

Reviewed on 8 Feb, 2025

Pousada da Mangueira
POUSADA E HOSTEL CORES DO PELO
POUSADA E HOSTEL CORES DO PELO
3 out of 5
Largo do Pelourinho, 05, Salvador, BA
The price is S$47 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
S$47
30 Jul - 31 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star inn in Salvador. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a beach shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions Porto da Barra Beach and Farol da ...
POUSADA E HOSTEL CORES DO PELO
Rede Andrade Barra
Rede Andrade Barra
3 out of 5
Avenida Sete De Setembro 3577 - Porto Da, Salvador, BA
The price is S$41 per night from 3 Jul to 4 Jul
S$41
3 Jul - 4 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Salvador. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall value ...
6.8/10 (1,539 reviews)
"good"

Reviewed on 29 Apr, 2025

Rede Andrade Barra
Rede Andrade Riviera Premium
Rede Andrade Riviera Premium
3 out of 5
Av. Amaralina, 885, Amaralina, Salvador, BA
The price is S$31 per night from 3 Jul to 4 Jul
S$31
3 Jul - 4 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Salvador. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall value ...
6.8/10 (1,084 reviews)
"El hotel está bastante deteriorado y no es de categoría 3* como lo venden en su publicidad, sábanas rotas, toallas sucias, colchones rotos, moho debajo de las camas , no lo recomiendo para nada"

Reviewed on 4 Mar, 2025

Rede Andrade Riviera Premium
Rede Andrade Express
Rede Andrade Express
3.5 out of 5
Rua Conde da Castanheira, 269, Amaralina, Salvador, BA
The price is S$30 per night from 3 Jul to 4 Jul
S$30
3 Jul - 4 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Salvador. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the overall value in our reviews. Popular ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,009 reviews)
"Ok"

Reviewed on 31 Jul, 2024

Rede Andrade Express
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Pelourinho

Salvador featuring heritage architecture, street scenes and night scenes

Salvador Centro

If you're spending some time in Salvador Centro, Lacerda Elevator and São Francisco Church and Convent of Salvador are top sights worth seeing.

Salvador Centro
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Graça

If you're spending some time in Graça, Circuito de Cinema - Sala de Arte and Carlos Costa Pinto Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Graça
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Cabula

Travellers like the parks in Cabula, and Parque da Cidade is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Cabula
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Ondina

5/5(1 area review)

Ondina is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Ondina Beach and Salvador Zoo.

Ondina
Farol da Barra Beach which includes general coastal views, a coastal town and a sunset

Barra

5/5(2 area reviews)

Barra is popular for its beaches, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Barra Shopping Mall or Farol da Barra Beach.

Barra
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Rio Vermelho

5/5(1 area review)

Unique features of Rio Vermelho include the beaches and restaurants. Make a stop by Paciencia Beach or Rio Vermelho Beach while you're exploring the area.

Rio Vermelho

Pelourinho