Where is the best area to stay in Salvador de Bahía?
By Carles Barcelo. Updated October 27, 2023
Salvador de Bahía de Todos Los Santos (Salvador), capital of the state of Bahía, is one of the oldest cities in America. Located on a triangular peninsular in north-eastern Brazil, surrounded by the wild Atlantic Ocean, it is world renowned for its beautiful beaches, buzzing carnival, it’s famous “Farol de Barra” and the popular Pelourinho neighborhood.
The best area to stay in Salvador is without a doubt the city’s old town. This area of Salvador is home to the famous Pelourinho neighborhood, the Salvador Cathedral and the church and convent of San Francisco, all landmarks inherited from its catholic history, which also share the area with the African origin Candomblé. Almost half of Salvador de Bahía´s 3 million inhabitants are of African origin and its mix of European and indigenous inhabitants have both enriched and refined Bahia’s cuisine, music and architecture.
When visiting Salvador, you can enjoy the beach by morning, lose yourself in the old town’s rich cultural heritage in the afternoon, watch the sun go down at the Bahía de Todos los Santos, dine in one of its fantastic restaurants and finish it all off by dancing the night away to live music. Coinciding your visit with carnival will make your stay a true once in a lifetime experience. 16 hours of partying that lasts all week long!On the map, which shows the best area to stay in Salvador de Bahía, Brazil, you can see a selection of some of the best located hotels.
If you were interested in finding out where to stay in Salvador de Bahía, you may also be interested in knowing where to stay in Fortaleza, where to stay in Natal and where to stay in Buzios.
Old Town, the best area to stay in Salvador
Old Town is the heart of Salvador de Bahia, and it’s easy to see why. The area is home to some of the city’s most important historical landmarks, including the São Francisco Church, the Pelourinho Square, and the Jorge Amado Museum. Walking around Old Town feels like stepping back in time, as the streets are lined with colonial-era buildings and colorful facades.
One of the best things about Old Town is that it’s incredibly walkable. You can spend hours wandering the narrow streets and discovering hidden gems around every corner. There are also plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafes in the area, making it easy to grab a bite to eat or a drink whenever you need a break from exploring.
Overall, Old Town is the perfect place to stay in Salvador de Bahia if you want to immerse yourself in the city’s rich history and vibrant culture.
Other places to stay in Salvador
Comércio
Located below Salvador’s fascinating historic center, you can find the Comércio neighborhood of Salvador. As well as being an important business district, Comércio is an ideal place to stay for history buffs. Although it is not officially Salvador’s historic center, it is still steeped in history. There are many heritage sites, monuments and museums to visit here, including the famous São Marcelo Fort and more.
Comércio was for a long time the main port of entry into Salvador by boat, and as a result you can have a lovely stroll along the port promenade whilst taking in the fresh sea air. There are many excellent restaurants here, serving up authentic Brazilian and also international cuisine.
With a range of hotel options to fit your needs, and excellent transportation options to downtown Salvador and beyond, Comércio is a very convenient place to stay. There are also several nice plazas to hang out at.
Itapuã
Just north of the city of Salvador lies the popular beach town of Itapuã. Naturally, it attracts those who love lounging on the beach and swimming in the sea- which is ideal in this very hot city! With excellent bus connection from downtown Salvador, many tourists choose to take a day trip to Itapuã. However, this former fishing village and now lively, hipster beach town makes for a great place to stay in itself! With an excellent range of seafront hotels, staying here really makes for a more relaxing experience than being closer to Salvador’s center.
As well as sunbathing and swimming, Itapuã is also brilliant for surfing and practicing other water sports. And it terms of eating, you can find many brilliant beachfront restaurants, bars and cafés, serving up delicious local specialties as well as of course a nice cold beer or refreshment you will need in the heat.
Rio Vermelho
For those who love combining the beach with exciting Brazilian nightlife, staying in the Rio Vermelho neighborhood makes for a logical choice when in Salvador. Located south of downtown Salvador, with convenient transport locations across the city, Rio Vermelho is certainly a very logistically-convenient place to stay. And with a range of seafront accommodations to suit all types of tourists, you are spoiled for choice here!
During the day, there is nothing better than relaxing on one of the neighborhood’s beautiful beaches - including Praia do Buracão, or enjoying a coffee or a typical local meal with a sea view. But during the night is when Rio Vermelho really comes to life! Particularly near the Largo de Santana area, you can find many hipster bars and even live music events. There is a nice mix of tourists and locals, and so you can really experience Brazilian nightlife culture here.
Our recommended hotels in Salvador de Bahía
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in Salvador de BahíaNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
