Private Full-Day Tour - Salvador's Lower & Upper City

5.0 (56 reviews) 7 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

56 reviews

5.0

Mercado Modelo Down Bellow — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

View from Lacerda Elevator to the All Saints Bay — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

This full-day adventure will allow you to enjoy both the magnificent panoramic views Salvador offers, as well as discover its rich history, extraordinary architecture, and dynamic culture, result of the blend of Portuguese, African and Indigenous people. We will see the city from different angles, discovering the Lower City, with its bucolic interior atmosphere, around the calm waters of the All Saints Bay, and continuing to the tip of the Itapagipe Peninsula, the extreme west part of Salvador, and then the Upper City with its Historic Center – the cradle of our city’s history.

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At a glance

Duration: 7 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–12
Guide: Portuguese, English
Operated by: Carlos Eduardo Barbosa

Ages: Children (5–12 years) · Youth (13–17 years) · Adults (18–85 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Bottled water
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Included: Tour guide service

Not included

Not included: Lunch
Not included: Alcoholic Beverages
Not included: Tickets to the Basilica Cathedral

Itinerary

Farol da Barra

20 min

Our journey will start at the Farol da Barra, where we will enjoy the spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean and the entrance to the bay.
Dique de Tororo

20 min

We will then head to Dique do Tororó, where we will appreciate the famous sculptures of the Orixás – African Dieties by the artist Tati Moreno, which reflect the African influence in the everyday lives of Bahians, and we will see the soccer stadium, Arena Fonte Nova.
Stop 3

Passing by

While making our way down to the Lower City, we will drive through Salvador’s old financial center and the Port of Salvador towards Ribeira district.
Stop 4

20 min

We will have a chance to stop at the city’s most traditional ice cream shop, Sorveteria da Ribeira, where we will have a chance to enjoy some of the over 70 flavors available, many of which are made with the typical fruits of the region.
Stop 5

30 min

Next, we will arrive at the Bonfim Church, one of the most famous churches in all of Brazil and a great representation of the religious syncretism so present in our culture, where we can tie the traditional colored ribbons and ask all the saints for their protection. Moved by faith, the people of Bahia walk 8 km (5 mi) annually on the traditional Bonfim festival.
Ponta do Humaita

20 min

On the way, we will go to Ponta de Humaitá and make a stop at the Mont Serrat Fort, where we will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Salvador.
Praca Thome de Souza

20 min

We will then reach the top of the Upper City, where the Portuguese built the first capital of Brazil, similar to an acropolis. From the Municipal Square we will see the Rio Branco Palace, the City Council and the iconic Lacerda Elevator, from where we will enjoy a magnificent view of the bay with its islands, the old financial district and Mercado Modelo, a handicraft market.
Praca da Se

20 min

WE will pass through the Sé Square, where the first cathedral of Brazil was built and we can still see its ruins.
Praca Terreiro de Jesus

one hour

The Terreiro de Jesus Square, home of the former Jesuit School and Church were originally built. Nowadays, it's the new Basilica Cathedral. At this point we will provide free time for lunch.
Cathedral Basilica of Salvador

30 min Admission not included

After lunch, we will visit one of the Brazil's most beautiful cathedrals.The Basilica Cathedral of Salvador is the mother of all Brazilian Catholic churches and houses one of the most important collections of Brazilian sacred art.
Stop 11

10 min

Saint Francis Square is in the hart of the old city, where we find bars, restaurants and handicraft shops. But, the landmark here is really the world's famous Saint Francis of Assisi Church, a true barroque gem (visit). Ticket not included.
Stop 12

20 min

This is one of the most beautiful squares of Salvador, where the Jorge Amado Foundation and the Church of Rosary of the Black Men are located.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

End point

Pickup points

Pousada des Arts
Porto da Barra
Ondina Apart Hotel Residencia
Sunset Lounge Hotel
Pousada Colonial
Oyo Pousada Morada do sol
Hotel Morada do Sol
1/4, Ondina Apart Hotel
Rede Andrade Barra
Hotel Portal do Politeama
Deluxe
Hotel Globo

and 57 more pickup points

My car is a black Toyota Corolla XEI 2023. For larger groups, I can arrange a confortable van as a transportation. I can pick up travelers at hotel, in the Old Town or at the Cruise Ship Terminal. For hotels outside the area specified above, I charge a fee for pick up and drop off at the hotel.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.