South America
Brazil
State of Bahia (BA)
Salvador
Things to Do in Salvador
Praia do Porto da Barra

Praia do Porto da Barra, Salvador: Hours, Address, Praia do Porto da Barra Reviews: 4.5/5

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Praia do Porto da Barra

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Praia do Porto da Barra
4.5
4,004
#25 of 269 things to do in Salvador
Beaches
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12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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About
Porto da Barra is one of the few points of land in Brazil that face west over the Atlantic Ocean (due to its unique geography near the entrance to the Bay of All Saints). Because of this, Porto da Barra Sundown Show features sunsets which are both spectacularly beautiful and endearing because of the way people (visitors and local residents alike) applaud, cheer, whistle and sing while the sun sets over the sea. Porto da Barra Sundown Show also features various styles of live music at world-famous Hot Dougie's Rendezvous on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The water at Porto da Barra Beach is quite calm and perfect for swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, ad and other water sports. Even on days when other beaches in Salvador are empty, there is typically a good crowd at Porto da Barra Beach. Porto da Barra also features Portuguese forts (recently renovated as multimedia museums) dating back to the 17th century and number of good restaurants, bars, shops including used book and record stores, and a State of Bahia agency which promotes the production and sale of quality hand-made artisan products, and others.
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,387 within 3 miles
Amado
1,689
0.2 mi$$$$ • Brazilian • Seafood • Mediterranean
Restaurante Mistura Contorno
239
0.4 mi$$$$ • Brazilian • Seafood • Mediterranean
Lafayette
941
0.3 mi$$$$ • Brazilian • Seafood • Mediterranean
soho
1,731
0.3 mi$$$$ • Japanese • Seafood • Sushi
Porto do Moreira
98
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Brazilian • South American
Caxixi Restaurante
71
0.1 mi$ • Brazilian • South American
Restaurante Fasano Salvador
52
0.3 mi$$$$ • Italian
Cuco Bistro
1,727
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Brazilian • Seafood • Contemporary
Mistura citta
49
0.3 mi$$$$ • Italian • French • Brazilian
O Líder
82
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Brazilian • Bar • Fast Food
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Attractions
209 within 6 miles
Boxe Elite
1
3.5 ftSports Camps & Clinics
Sao Bento monastery
190
0.1 miSpeciality Museums
Caixa Cultural Salvador
131
428 ftSpeciality Museums
Sao Bento Museum
20
299 ftSpeciality Museums
Memorial of the Republican Governors of Bahia
15
482 ftHistory Museums
Museum of Religious Art
110
0.2 miSpeciality Museums
Arquiabadia de São Sebastião da Bahia
2
0.1 miChurches & Cathedrals
Geographic Institute and Museum of the History of Bahia
14
0.1 miSpeciality Museums
Palácio Rio Branco
343
0.2 miHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings
Convento Da Lapa
13
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
4,004 reviews
Excellent
2,053
Very good
1,332
Average
462
Poor
98
Terrible
59
Van Wilder
Cape Town, South Africa39 contributions
Best beach in Salvador
First off, don't expect Copacabana or Ipanema...its way different...but isn't that why you flew all the way to Salvador to begin with? I love Salvador for the fact that its a city that gives you a different flavour to what you probably have already seen thus far in Rio and São Palo and that's what makes this city so special. Regarding the beach, I stayed for almost 2 weeks at a hotel that overlooked this bustling lively beach during the month of December. I recall, waking up at 3:30am, looking out my hotel room window onto the beach below and I couldn't believe that the beach was lit up, and almost as full as what it was during the day. People were parking off on their cangas as if to be catching the sun (more like the moon), swimming, dancing, singing, samba, beach volley ball, foot volley etc and it didn't seem to phase any of the beachgoers that it was 3:30 in the morning. It's not the prettiest nor the fanciest of beaches but make no mistake its where you want to be as you sure to find the best eye candy on this beach. Its very popular amongst the locals as well as foreigners and I guess its due the fact that its a favourite area/neighbourhood for visitors to stay when on vacation. There is also a lovely promenade/sidewalk along the beach and past the famous lighthouse and you very likely to stumble across various musicians busking along the side street with the ocean as a backdrop. Opposite the beach you will find a few restaurants and bars and enjoy your meal or beer outside on the sidewalk. There is a large shopping mall (shopping Barra) within walking distance from the beach (20min)
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jorge c
Buenos Aires, Argentina12,615 contributions
Tiny but really nice urban beach
It's perhaps the nicest of the urban beaches that the city of Salvador offers.
Ideal for swimming with almost no waves (or soft ones). Incredibly enough you can also see some tiny fish with sunny days.
It get's crowded and it's not a quiet beach at all. I would only recommend spending beach time here for a short time, maybe a swim and get going.
Also the beach itself is all sand, no rocks like in Farol da Barra Beach.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
PrefeituraDeSalvador
Hello Jorge Thanks for the comment. We are working to make our services even better. We will await your return. Prefeitura Municipal de Salvador
Written February 27, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pedro C
10 contributions
Beautiful, but be careful!
I'm from Salvador and I've been in Porto da barra a lot of times. Although the beach is nice, the water is really calm and the sunset is just amazing, I have two concerns.
First, the beach is bit dangerous for tourists, once it's known for the locals trying to pickpocket them.
Second, specially on the weekends, the beach gets really crowded, so if you need a place to chill out, that's not it.
Written April 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
James-the-Kiwi
Morzine, France48 contributions
Overrated
Solo
This was at #3 in the Guardian's top beaches of the world some time ago. I can only assume that the writer had confused it with another beach of the same name elsewhere. It is a tiny strip of sand between two small rocky outcrops with an old fort/church on them. The water is clear (usually) but the big drawback is that it is so crowded and you can't relax for two seconds because there are dozens of hawkers trying to sell you stuff. 3rd best beach in the world??? It's not even the 3rd best beach in Salvador.
Written July 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LizzylambUK
UK34 contributions
Felt unsafe, nothing special
Couples
After reading many reviews, and researching Salvador I decided to book 4 nights of our holiday in Barra, in Salvador. Our accommodation was very nice, however, the location and Barra in general is not as great as the reviews say. I have traveled by myself for years, and know what is safe and what isn't and traveled to a few places in Brazil. I know muggings are an issue, and to always be careful. But Barra is possibly the place I've felt most unsafe on my travels. I would not be happy being here alone. Even walking to find a restaurant in the evening was an effort and always felt paranoid. The restaurants tend to be badly over priced and not great food. I'm disapointed I booked so long here, i'm sure there are much nicer placers south of Salvador.
Written October 2, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Prefeitura
Thank you very much for your comment. Cause we are working for make you feel that Salvador is positively different city. Be welcome to back soon, Follow Salvador: @visitsalvadordabahia #visitsalvadordabahia Prefeitura Municipal do Salvador
Written September 4, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wayne D
San Diego, CA229 contributions
Nice Beach close to town
Salvador also offers some fun beach experiences. Praia Porto da Barra (close town beach) is nice. You can rent chairs and an umbrella for about $5 and nice affordable drinks and food are available right on the beach. It is very popular (crowded) on the weekends. Barra is a short taxi ride from Pelourinho. Fans of nautical history, don’t miss the well-done Museu Nautico da Bahia here. The new large shopping center, Shopping Barra, is located here with upscale fashions and restaurants – nice place! Try the tasty cheese (Queijo Assado) they roast on the beach. Sipping a caipirinha is a thing to do in Brazil and can be done in many favors.
Written December 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
PrefeituraDeSalvador
Hello Wayne Thanks for the comment. We are working to make our services better and better. We will await your return. Prefeitura Municipal do Salvador
Written December 9, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
4Charlito
New York City, NY98 contributions
Swimming, Sunsets and People Watching
My favorite beach, with calm, clear water perfect for swimming. Families, couples, locals, tourists, gays, straights, young and old all converge on this beach, making it lively and interesting. There are many kiosks("Barracas") renting chairs, umbrellas, etc. and lots of beer, caipirinhas(fresh fruit!), coconut water, acaraje', find a spot in the middle of the beach ( I recommend Sidney's barraca, where Sidney, Mateus, Elias and others will make you great caipirinhas(lime(limao) and fresh passionfruit(maracuja') are my favorites, also pineapple(abacaxi)pronounced ah-bah-cah-SHEE). Don't be intimidated by everyone trying to diret you to there own areas. Everyone is trying to earn a living, simply say "Nao, obrigado" and keep walking until you see the area you prefer and once you are situated, your drinks and food will come to you. There are vendors selling suntan products, "kangas" colorful beach sheets and wraps @ 30reais, good for gifts. Also, various food, trinkets, The chairs and umbrellas are around 6 reais each for the day(less than 2 dollars!) In October the exchange was 3.70 reais to the dollar, gret for visitors, lousy for Brazilians. So please buy things. A10% service charge is usually included at beach, restaurants, etc. but an extra tip is always very much appreciated and if your a return visitor you will be treated well, including those refreshing watering cans of cool water that they splash on your feet while lounging on the beach! Taxis are metered and inexpensive. Sunset is not to be missed, usually around 5:30 pm, where everyone applauds the disappearing orb as it sinks below the horizon and the beautiful glow that follows. Another great vantage point is from the Farol(lighthouse). As for beach fare, I can't say I woould recommend oysters, quail eggs, fried shrimp, or caldos(soup). although they seem popular. The acarajes are good, and the queijo coalho, mild flavored cheese on a stick which is rolled in oregano and/or red pepper flakes if you desire, and roasted over coals is really quite tasty. Two for 5 reais. I've had it many times, never any problems. Don't forget the SENAC cooking school in Pelourinho, and nearby is O Cravinho where you can sip shots of infused cachacas, my favorite is ginger. And remenber that Tuesday nights from 6 pm on everyone heads for Pelourinho where there is live drumming in the streets and an overall party atmosphere happening there.
Written November 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
yardenim2014
Holon, Israel61 contributions
Where the locals go
Solo
This is a nice beach which werves the local people. It can get very crowded on weekends. if you do not like to fell like a tourist and you happen to stay in the barra areaq of Salvador where there are many nice hotel, you can refresh yourself by going to swim in this beach.
Written April 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andre H
Auckland Central, New Zealand23 contributions
Beware
Solo
I flew to Salvador to spend a week enjoying the culture, the sun ,the people and the beaches.
The beaches are crowded, covered in litter and stink of urine.
The culture and people, with a few exceptions, seems to be one of scams extortion and violence.
Would I return?? Not likely, when there are so many places, much better in the world to visit.
Happy travels 😁
Written October 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Prefeitura
Thank you very much for your comment. Studying your testimony, we are already working to fix it this soon. Thank agian for your comment, and really sorry for the problems. Be welcome to back soon, Follow Salvador: @visitsalvadordabahia #visitsalvadordabahia Prefeitura Municipal do Salvador
Written October 18, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mfrou
Montreal, Canada127 contributions
Beautiful but be vigilant
Couples
Great way to spend the day and go to the Nautical museum. Wear loads of sunscreen and make sure to drink some fresh coconut juice.
Written March 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Praia do Porto da Barra
Praia do Porto da Barra is open:
  • Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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We recommend booking Praia do Porto da Barra tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 10 Praia do Porto da Barra tours on Tripadvisor