Pelourinho
About
Sometimes called the "city within a city," this old part of Salvador is worth visiting for its cobblestone streets, pastel-colored buildings, churches, restaurants, shops and nightlife.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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  • hbhakh
    Roanoke, Virginia2,273 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice place to walk
    We walked through Pelourinho while visiting on a cruise ship. It's an interesting area with quite a few shops and restaurants......and a few nice views. There was some street music, which may have been related to Carnaval. We felt relatively safe in the area.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 19, 2024
  • Pablo V
    Campinas, SP5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Get a guide - 100% recommended
    Best guide ever! Not only knowledgeable (which you should expect from a guide), but passionate about sharing the spirit of the city with you. Great way to get to the essence of the city, its influence on culture, music and gastronomy - both past and present.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 11, 2024
  • Amelia H
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Book a Tour with Edvaldo Gomeia at Guia Cultura Turismo!
    My friends and I went on a driving tour of the city of Salvador with Edvaldo Gomeia. It was such an amazing experience. Edvaldo is knowledgable, funny, warm, and engaging. He made our group feel at home and went out of his way to curate a tour just for us and our interests. He included lots of amazing stops to get beautiful views of the city and learn the history and culture. The tour was the day after my birthday and he even gave me a gift! After the tour, he also connected us with capoeira and dance instructors. I would absolutely recommend booking a tour with Edvaldo. You will make great memories and learn a lot. Thank you, Edvaldo! (You can also find him on instagram @guiaculturaturismo
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written July 1, 2024
  • Thalita S
    1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visiting Salvador.
    I visited Salvador, in January, during summer. I went to Pelourinho, Elevador Lacerda, Farol da Barra. You should eat acarajé and moqueca. You shouldn't use valuable accessories and walk with your cell phone in your hand. The city is beautiful, warm and the people are warm. It has spectacular cuisine and wonderful landscapes.
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written July 25, 2024
  • Diana D
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Pelourinho de muitas histĂłrias
    I visited Salvador, Pelourinho, in September twenty twenty-three with my friend Taciana. I went to the Gastronomic Restaurant and Casa de Jorge Amado. You must visit Pelourinho, it has many museums with the stories of the city and you should eat in the restaurants, as they have delicious Bahian food.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written July 25, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles17,514 reviews
Excellent
7,901
Very good
6,050
Average
2,537
Poor
638
Terrible
388

RandyRoss
Ridgetown, Canada12,737 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Our cruise arrived in Salvador on Feb. 26th and almost everything was closed as people recovered from celebrating Carnaval. There were a few tourist booths, selling food, drink and souvenirs but all churches, museums, etc, were closed.
I was by myself but felt very safe and did enjoy seeing the outside of all the beautiful buildings. Things could be in a bit better repair but one can certainly see the past glory of Salvador in this square.
Written May 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Juliagoolia0491
7 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Solo
I came to Salvador not knowing what to expect. I stayed near Praça do Sé for a few nights because staying in Pelourinho was recommended to me by many Brazilians I met before coming to Bahia during my trip.

As someone who has traveled extensively as a solo female to many countries on all continents, I found this area of Salvador one of the most unsettling to be in. Aside from the constant beggars and panhandlers while you try to eat a meal at any point in the day, you are met with street hawkers who refuse to take no for an answer. I ended up with body paint I didn’t want because the man refused to accept the word no. It cost me 30 reais, which isn’t a lot, but soured the experience here.

It is disappointing the experience for many is so terrible because it really is such a beautiful place to see. The building colours and sounds and smells from restaurants could be a truly magical experience if it wasn’t for everything else.

I also was followed and would’ve mugged if I hadn’t come to an area full of people by a couple local kids who seemed to think it was fun to hang around and unease foreign passers.

Unless the city puts major effort into cleaning this place up it’ll put a damper on tourism. This is the only place in Brazil so far I’ve told myself I’ll never return to.
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

travelbug001_11
Los Angeles, CA72 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
A trip to Salvador wouldn't be complete without a visit to this neighborhood. Even though most of the accommodations here are older (and majority-hostels from what I could see) staying in this area was the best decision, because it made our visit to Savlador incredibly walkable and the neighborhood was so vibrant. We received a lot of warnings about the safety of our phones and purses, but while a reasonable amount of care warranted everywhere (and I understand that deep class disparity may exacerbate potential issues), we absolutely never felt unsafe, even walking around late in the evenings.

Right in our neighborhood, we picked up a walking tour, visited the very-interesting Carnival Museum, absolutely adored the Balé Folclorico, took a fantastic percussion lesson, tried all the Bahian food at an incredible buffet, and enjoyed many more restaurants and bars. We left the neighborhood a few times, but our trip really could have been complete without it. Our favorite things happened there.
Written March 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cintian c
1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Couples
Hi, I was at the Pelourinho with my boyfriend in November. A lot of people offering services as a guide and make us feel very vulnerable. Everyone charge a lot for everything thing. Was $20 reais to take a picture with the Baiana is not a lot for us, but for the Brazilians is a lot, so not consideration for the local tourism. We don't felt save. Everywhere including the buildings, streets and restaurants was dirty and everything needs a renovation.
If you want a good time in Brazil a recommend the south if the country
Written November 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Texas_artB
Houston, TX159 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Solo
Pelourinho means quite literally “wooden pilar” and here is where slaves from Africa were brought in chains to be whipped in the public square. From such an awful beginning in 1500 arose what Anthony Bourdain called, “the heart, soul and rhythm” of Brazil. This Colonial City is well preserved. As you walk within the walls and buildings of Pelourinho on the cobbled stone roads you will hear spontaneous performances of the Drum Troupes called Olodum. The traditional drum corp of Carnaval. Come and see what inspired Michael Jackson and Paul Simon to film videos here. Enjoy Acarajé and Coconut Milk. Drink a Caipirinha in one of many bars in the neighborhood or have a cup of the brilliant Brazilian coffee at one of many cafe’s in the quarter. Pelourinho is alive and well!
Written August 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Amelia H
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Friends
My friends and I went on a driving tour of the city of Salvador with Edvaldo Gomeia. It was such an amazing experience. Edvaldo is knowledgable, funny, warm, and engaging. He made our group feel at home and went out of his way to curate a tour just for us and our interests. He included lots of amazing stops to get beautiful views of the city and learn the history and culture. The tour was the day after my birthday and he even gave me a gift! After the tour, he also connected us with capoeira and dance instructors. I would absolutely recommend booking a tour with Edvaldo. You will make great memories and learn a lot. Thank you, Edvaldo! (You can also find him on instagram @guiaculturaturismo
Written July 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pablo V
Campinas, SP5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Couples
Best guide ever! Not only knowledgeable (which you should expect from a guide), but passionate about sharing the spirit of the city with you. Great way to get to the essence of the city, its influence on culture, music and gastronomy - both past and present.
Written June 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hbhakh
Roanoke, VA2,273 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
We walked through Pelourinho while visiting on a cruise ship. It's an interesting area with quite a few shops and restaurants......and a few nice views. There was some street music, which may have been related to Carnaval. We felt relatively safe in the area.
Written February 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Diana D
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Friends
I visited Salvador, Pelourinho, in September twenty twenty-three with my friend Taciana. I went to the Gastronomic Restaurant and Casa de Jorge Amado. You must visit Pelourinho, it has many museums with the stories of the city and you should eat in the restaurants, as they have delicious Bahian food.
Written July 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Narda C
Ilha do Mel, PR1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Family
Salvador was only a BIG disappointment. Homeless people asking you for money everywhere, it feels extremely unsafe, and very dirty. Honestly, it sucks, you can’t really enjoy anything because it feels like you will get robbed at any minute
Written September 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Pelourinho - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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