Holiday in Salvador
City in Brazil — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇧🇷
Country
Brazil
Type
City
Best time to travel
September to March (dry season, 26-32 °C). February/March for Carnival. April-August rainy season, but always warm.
Budget/day
50-120 €
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Salvador (SSA, approx. 12-16 h with a stopover in Sao Paulo, Lisbon, or Madrid). No visa required for Germans for up to 90 days.
Deals for Salvador:
What makes Salvador special as a destination?
Salvador da Bahia is the capital of the state of Bahia and was the first capital of Brazil from 1549 to 1763. The city is located on a dramatic cliff overlooking the All Saints Bay (Baia de Todos os Santos) and is the heart of Afro-Brazilian culture — over 80% of the population is of African descent. Pelourinho, the historic old town and UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985, is a colorful ensemble of colonial buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries: pastel-colored facades, baroque churches, and cobblestone streets create the backdrop for ubiquitous drum rhythms and Capoeira performances. Capoeira, the Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines dance, acrobatics, and music, was developed in Salvador by enslaved Africans and is now recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. In Pelourinho, one can observe daily Rodas (Capoeira circles) or participate in workshops. Candomblé, the Afro-Brazilian religion with West African roots, is omnipresent in Salvador: offerings to Iemanja (goddess of the sea) on the beaches, white-clad Baianas, and public ceremonies are part of everyday life. The Carnival of Salvador is the largest street carnival in the world (Guinness Book): for over 6 days, Trio Eletricos (huge mobile stages) parade through the streets, accompanied by millions of dancers. Axe music, samba-reggae, and blocos (groups) make Salvador's carnival unique and wilder than that in Rio. The Elevador Lacerda, an Art Deco elevator from 1873, connects the upper city with the lower city in 30 seconds and offers a spectacular view over the bay.
What are the top highlights in Salvador?
The top highlights in Salvador include Pelourinho (UNESCO), Carnival of Salvador, Elevador Lacerda, Capoeira Workshops, Praia do Farol da Barra.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Pelourinho (UNESCO)
Colorful colonial old town from the 17th/18th century: baroque churches, Capoeira circles, and drum rhythms in every square.
Carnival of Salvador
Largest street carnival in the world: 6 days of Trio Eletricos, Axe music, and millions of dancers — wilder than Rio.
Elevador Lacerda
Art Deco elevator from 1873 between the upper and lower city: 72 m height difference in 30 seconds with panoramic views.
Capoeira Workshops
Birthplace of Capoeira: observe daily Rodas in Pelourinho or participate in courses at traditional academies.
Praia do Farol da Barra
City beach at the historic lighthouse (1698): sunset over the Atlantic, surfers, and beach life.
Hotels in Salvador
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Reise-SIM für Salvador
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Salvador?
The best time to visit Salvador is September to March (dry season, 26-32 °C). February/March for Carnival. April-August rainy season, but always warm.. 26-32 °C, warm and humid with short showers In winter: 23-28 °C, rainy season April-August, but rarely all day
Recommended travel time
September to March (dry season, 26-32 °C). February/March for Carnival. April-August rainy season, but always warm.
Summer
26-32 °C, warm and humid with short showers
Winter
23-28 °C, rainy season April-August, but rarely all day
How much does a holiday in Salvador cost?
Budget travellers: 25-45 €/day, mid-range: 50-120 €/day, luxury: 140-400 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
25-45 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
50-120 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
140-400 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Salvador?
Flight to Salvador (SSA, approx. 12-16 h with a stopover in Sao Paulo, Lisbon, or Madrid). No visa required for Germans for up to 90 days.
Book a package holiday to Salvador
Compare thousands of package holidays to Salvador and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Salvador?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
No visa required — Germans are visa-free for up to 90 days. Electronic entry registration via e-DBV required.
Brazilian Real (BRL) — 1 € ≈ 5.5 BRL. Credit cards are widely accepted, cash for street vendors and small shops.
Book Carnival early — hotels in February are booked months in advance. Buy bloco tickets (Abadas) online.
Valuables in Pelourinho — take only what is necessary. Safe during the day, in groups or by taxi at night.
Try Acaraje — the street food icon of Bahia. Best from the Baianas (white-clad women) at the roadside.
What should you eat in Salvador?
Typical specialities in Salvador: Acaraje — fried bean balls with Vatapa and shrimp: Bahia's iconic street food, prepared by Baianas on the street., Moqueca Baiana — fish stew with coconut milk, palm oil, and coriander in a clay pot: Bahia's most famous dish., Vatapa — creamy paste made from bread, coconut milk, peanuts, and shrimp: side dish for Acaraje or as a standalone dish., Bobó de Camarao — shrimp in creamy manioc-coconut milk sauce: one of the most elegant dishes of Bahian cuisine., Cocada — sweet coconut praline in various colors and flavors: traditional candy at every street corner..
These specialties you must try!
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