Recife Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil)

For most holiday makers, it is the beaches of Recife that are the main reason for coming here, and many of the city's tourist attractions make the very most of its coastal situation. Visitors will also discover a series of historical cinemas and theatres, as well as parks, gardens and spacious public plazas.

Many attractions in Recife are spread around both the Praca da Republica (Republic Square) and the Patio de Sao Pedro (St. Peter's Square), while on the Praca Farias Neves is the city's popular Parque Dois Irmaos (Zoo Botanical Park Dois Irmaos) and its plentiful animal attractions. Soccer fans in Recife may like to check out a football match at the enormous Arena Cidade da Copa (Arena Stadium), while if the sun is shining and you enjoy water slides and similar attractions, then the nearby Veneza Parque Aquático (Venice Water Park) is for you.

Praca da Republica (Republic Square)

Address: Praca da Republica, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, BR
Located on the northern side of the central island of Sao Antonio (Santo Antonio), the Praca da Republica is surrounded by prominent buildings and imposing architecture dating from the 19th century. The Republic Square comprises a small formally landscaped park with fountains and seating, being a popular place to sit and eat at lunchtime. Just a short distance to the south is the Capela Douada (Golden Chapel), as well as a plethora of shops and colonial churches.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Patio de Sao Pedro (St. Peter's Square)

Address: Patio de Sao Pedro, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, BR
Central to Recife's flamboyant annual carnival celebrations, the Patio de Sao Pedro is famed for its beautiful colonial buildings, which are painted in bright colours. This spacious pedestrianised public square is bordered by a more than ample selection of restaurants and bars, although it is the wonderful architecture of the Concatedral de Sao Pedro dos Clérigos (Church of Saint Peter of Clerics) that draws the eye, dominating the Patio de Sao Pedro with its twin bell towers and detailed wooden carvings.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Parque Dois Irmaos (Zoo Botanical Park Dois Irmaos)

Address: Praca Farias Neves, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 081 3301 6518
A popular family attraction located on the Praca Farias Neves, the Parque Dois Irmaos covers a large area of just under 985 acres / 400 hectares and is made up of a number of popular attractions, including a Natural Science Museum and more than 120 different animal species, many of which are indigenous to Brazil. The Parque Dois Irmaos was established in 1916 and is known for its conservation work, as well of course for its anteaters, baboons, camels, chimpanzees, hippos, monkeys (Capuchin, Cara Black, Spider and Woolly) and Siberian tigers.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:30
Admission: charge

Veneza Parque Aquático (Venice Water Park)

Address: Avenida Doutor Cláudio José Gueiros Leite 1050, Paulista, Pernambuco, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 081 3436 6363
Offering a great way to cool yourself down on even the hottest of days, the Veneza Parque Aquático is situated within the metropolitan area, roughly 20 km / 12 miles to the north of Recife city centre, in nearby Paulista. The Veneza Water Park is a large and busy attraction, drawing crowds of children, who come to enjoy the Oahu Wave Pool, the Mermaid Shower, the meandering Amazon River (complete with caves, bridges and waterfalls), and the exciting water slides, such as both the Anaconda and the Toboaguas.
Open hours: September, November, December and February - Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00; October, Friday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00; January, Thursday, to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00; March, Saturday to Tuesday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for seniors, children and families (two adults with two or three children)

Parque 13 de Maio (13th of May Park)

Address: Rua Joao Lira / Rua da Saudade, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, BR
The Parque 13 de Maio is to be found within the vibrant district of Boa Vista and provides the perfect place for relaxing on a sunny afternoon, being especially busy on Sundays. Close to the Bahia de Santo Amaro and bounded on its eastern side by both the Rua Joao Lira and the Rua da Saudade, the Parque 13 de Maio is always full of locals, who come here to jog, play games, picnic and even to debate politics.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Arena Cidade da Copa (Arena Stadium)

Address: Sao Lourenco da Mata, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, BR
Football is an extremely important sport in Brazil and is taken very seriously in Recife. The city has recently been involved in the building of the epic Arena Cidade da Copa for the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and it is estimated that this project cost approximately US$500 million. Capable of seating more than 46,000 spectators, the stadium is located in the neighbouring municipality of Sao Lourenco da Mata and is also able to host concerts and events for over 60,000 people.
Open hours: hour vary according to event
Admission: charge