8 Of The Best Tours In Salvador, Brazil - Updated 2024

salvador brazil tours
ASHU ABEY
ASHU ABEY 
Updated
| 5 min read

Salvador, the capital of Brazil’s northeastern state of Bahia, is known for its Portuguese colonial architecture, Afro-Brazilian culture, and tropical coastline. A tour of the streets in the historical district of Salvador enables travelers to experience Brazilian culture and history, beyond the written pages. A tour can also take you to historical sites, like the first fort, constructed to protect the city from attacks.

Tours are a great way for any traveler who wants to see it all and enjoy the true beauty of Salvador. If you’re traveling to Salvador, you’d do well to book any one or all of these excursions, for a well rounded holiday. Here are the 8 best tours in Salvador, Brazil!

1. Full-day whale watching tour in Praia do Forte from Abrantes (from 242 USD)

Amazing view of a whale
Source: Viator

This amazing tour takes you to observe whales, off the coastal waters of Praia do Forte. Visitors should expect sailing on a boat, far from the coast at about 3 km (1.9 miles) offshore, to have a proper view of the whales. The trip begins in the morning when you meet your guide. Guests will be taken to Praia do Forte by car, where the team for the tour will meet them. The crew is then given proper guidelines to ensure that the tour is perfectly carried out.

Visitors can walk along the beach for a while before boarding the wooden boats, famous in the Bahia region, for the offshore trip.Guests are advised to bring a swimsuit for the tour. This is a seasonal trip, carried out between June through November. It’s a great trip for nature lovers and those hoping to experience the beauty of aquatic life.

The cool sea air and the radiance of the beautiful water add to the loveliness of this tour. The trip can last between 3-4 hours and previous tours have recorded a 98 percent success rate. This is the perfect trip for fun-lovers and people who enjoy taking photos.

Full-day whale watching tour in Praia do Forte from Abrantes

Price: from 242 USD

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2. Private Tour: Bay of All Saints speedboat experience (from 1800 USD)

Amazing view of speedboat
Source: Viator

Experience the amazing Bay of All Saints, on a private speedboat tour. This trip takes 5 hours and it is a perfect sight-seeing opportunity. A guide is assigned to the guests, who makes the trip fun and informative. Guests are transported by car to the bay and the guide will take you to Saint Marcelo’s Fortress, a great attraction in Brazil. The fortress is shaped like a triangle and was used as a prison for prominent leaders in the 18th century.

You’ll also be able to see other amazing attractions, like Lacerda’s Elevator. Guests are then taken to Humaita, which is the oldest military area. You’ll then go to Barra, where there are opportunities for swimming at the beach. The tour also passes through other attractions like Santa Maria and the Saint Diogo Fortress.

Private Tour: Bay of All Saints speedboat experience

Price: from 1800 USD

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3. Panoramic Salvador half-day city tour (from 50 USD)

Street Scene - Salvador - Brazil 03
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Adam63 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Experience Salvador’s cultural, and architectural heritage on an amazing 4-hour trip. Salvador is renowned as a major cultural center and a hotbed for music. Guests are lead by a local guide to prominent places, such as the Dique do Tororó and the Fonte Nova football stadium. The stadium is known for hosting the FIFA World Cup, in 2014.

You then travel to the Baroque Senhor do Bonfim Catholic church, constructed in the 1700s, which serves as a pilgrimage site.The next stop on the tour is the Forte de Mont Serrat and the Mercado Modelo craft market, where there are beautiful handicrafts and souvenirs. Your last stop is the Lacerda Elevator, the oldest elevator in the city, built in 1873, which connects the two regions of the city.

Panoramic Salvador half-day city tour

Price: from 50 USD

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4. Pelourinho tour by night (from USD 100.0)

Night Ambiance in Salvador
Source: Viator

Experience nightlife in the vibrant region of Pelourinho. Have a taste of the welcoming vibes due to a renowned musical display, described by the locals as Tuesday’s Blessings. This is a unique opportunity to partake in this 3-hour cultural trip. With the aid of your guide, you’ll enjoy a walk through the resplendent streets of Salvador, after dark.

The sweet melodies and amazing dance steps of the locals are a wonder to experience. Salvador is sometimes described as the cradle of Brazilian music, due to the radiance of areas like Pelourinho. Guests will be able to experience the local culture in every nook and cranny of Pelourinho’s streets and squares. The trip ends with a drink at a local bar, before returning to the hotel for a sound rest. This is a suitable tour for individuals who want to experience amazing nightlife and culture.

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Pelourinho Private Tour by Night

Duration: 3 hours

5 reviews

5. Tropical island tour Including Itaparica Island (from USD 120.0)

Tropical Island View
Source: Viator

This is a lovely 8-hour tour off the coast of Salvador. The tour begins with the guest boarding a boat and sailing few kilometers from the coast in the presence of a captain. The comfortable environs and the radiance of the aquatic surroundings are soul-stirring and inspiring. Learn about the historical significance of All Saints Bay and the role it plays in Salvador’s welfare.

You’ll then be able to experience the unique offshore trip to Brazil’s largest island, known as Itaparica. During the trip, visitors can enjoy a sumptuous traditional meal of regional specialties. Lovely samba music and lunch at a local restaurant at the end of the tour greatly enhances the beauty of this trip.

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Islands boat trip to itaparica and Frades Including Lunch

Duration: 8 hours

6 reviews

6. Outskirts city tour including the favelas of Salvador (from USD 70.0)

An evening at the Cathedrale
Source: Viator

This is a great opportunity to experience the outskirts of the city as well as the local favelas. This tour is a 4-hour fun-filled trip that will leave unforgettable memories. Enjoy the interesting cultural, and historical information about Salvador, as you tour through the coastal area of Salvador. The presence of a local guide adds to the glow of the tour.

During the tour, you will see the Dique do Tororó, which is a lake surrounded by beautiful gardens. There are other attractions like Ribeira Beach and the Bonfim Church. Experience laneways of the local favelas and visit the Mercado Modelo, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the end of this amazing tour, you will be taken back to your hotel.

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Outskirts Private City Tour Including Favelas of Salvador

Duration: 4 hours

7. Jaua Beach hike tour from Abrantes (from USD 43.0)

View of Jaua Beach
Source: Viator

This tour provides a lovely atmosphere, by visiting the amazing and serene Jaua Beach. The beach is just few kilometers from the city center. Guests are welcomed at Abrantes, which is close to the Hotel Pousada Rancho Fundo. From here you travel to the beautiful beach.

This trip is suitable for individuals that enjoy a hiking experience. Jaua beach is perfect for swimming and taking in the local nature. There are plenty of photo opportunities here and the beach is a must-visit for everyone. It is also sometimes possible to spot turtles nesting on the beach.

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Abrantes to Jaua Beach 3-Hour Hiking Tour

Duration: 3 hours

8. Salvador da Bahia museums tour (from USD 60.0)

Holy Monument in Museum
Source: Viator

Experience Salvador’s most renowned cultural museums in the course of an exciting 3-hour tour. In the presence of a diligent guide, guests have the opportunity to appreciate Salvador’s history in a culturally rich environment. The guide is available to you to answer all questions during your tour, through the museum.

This amazing tour of both the Afro-Brazilian Museum and a museum dedicated to the local indigenous people of the region are a necessary experience for all lovers of art and culture. You’ll also visit the Carlos Costa Pinto Museum and another sacred museum of appreciable religious significance.

Explore the cultural history of Salvador during this trip and the origins of the diverse races that inhabit the vibrant city. At the end of this amazing adventure, guests are taken back to their hotel.

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Salvador da Bahia Private Museums Tour

Duration: 3 hours

1 review

A superb tour in a vibrant city

A tour through the museums, a speedboat experience, a whale watching tour, or visiting amazing islands, any of these tours would make anyone excited. Salvador remains a place that has more than enough admirable features to give any traveler breathtaking moments in the beauty of nature.

Yes! Salvador is an ideal environment for self-discovery, for everyone. It is a highly recommended place to visit, at least once in a lifetime.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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