Attractions Nearby Salvador, Day Trips and Excursions

(Salvador, Bahia, Brazil)

Those planning a day trip or two will be pleased to learn that Salvador is close to a number of nearby attractions, which are connected by either road or ferry, with the beaches and islands along the Coconut Coast and the Dende Coast being rather special. Located within the Reconcavo region, to the north-west of Salvador, both Cachoiera and Sao Felix make for worthy excursions, coming with attractions such as historical churches and museums.

Visitors to Cachoiera may like to check out the Igreja da Ordem Terceira do Carmo (Church of the Third Order of Caramel) and the Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora do Rosário (First Church of Our Lady of the Rosary), as well as the Museu Hansen Bahia and the Museu da Boa Morte. Some of the best inland festivals take place in this region of Bahia and these attractions include the Festa de Sao Joao in late June and the Festa da Nossa Senhora da Boa Morte in mid-August, amongst others.

General Information

As Brazil's largest bay, the Baia de Todos os Santos (Bay of All Saints) contains a plethora of attractions and lies within easy reach of Salvador, being sited to the north-west of the city. In total there are 56 islands spread around this vast bay and ferry excursions to the most popular come highly recommended. Particularly popular is the neighbouring Ilha de Itaparica (Itaparica Island), which is around an hour away and features a 300-year-old fortress (Forte de Sao Lourenco) and some very enticing beaches, such as the Praia Barra Grande, the Praia Cacha Pregos, the Praia da Penha and the Praia Ponta da Areia.

Many further islands within the Baia de Todos os Santos appeal to Salvador day trippers and these include the Ilha Bom Jesus dos Parros (with numerous traditional fishing boats), the Ilha dos Frades (home to some dramatic waterfalls) and the Ilha da Maré (offering a selection of peaceful beaches). Tour operators in Salvador provide regular trips to all of these attractions, with ferries departing from the city's Terminal Maritimo Turistico.

Other attractions near to the city of Salvador include the secluded beach paradise of Massarandupió (90 km / 56 miles away), the prosperous city of Catu (90 km / 56 miles north), and Bahia's number two city, Feira de Santana, which is approximately 118 km / 73 miles to the north-west. Feira de Santana is home to a variety of attractions and celebrations, including the Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana and the Senhora Sant'Ana Festival in late July, while others simply stop off here since the city contains a major intersection of North-Eastern Brazil's highways.