Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Salvador?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Salvador?

To do everything that Salvador has to offer, you'll need more than a weekend, but two or three days does allow you a bit more time to explore. You'll have a chance to experience at least some of the highlights. In addition to the great beaches and fun museums and landmarks, visitors can enjoy the nightlife, charming old town, and shopping. By staying a night or two, you'll be able to take advantage of the most interesting activities found here, and we have some suggestions below.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Salvador?

Many visitors spend three to four days in Salvador during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This city offers a number of attractions to explore, including the beaches, the museums and landmarks, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife.

Salvador is the capital city of the state of Bahia. It has a historic area that is filled with colonial architecture that dates back to the Portuguese colonial period. Today the city's culture still reflects its Afro-Brazilian roots. The city also runs along the coastline and is home to several beautiful, sandy beaches.

Do you have one or two days to visit Salvador? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Salvador?

With only one day, you might feel a bit pressed for time when exploring the main attractions. After all, Salvador, a small city brimming with sights and attractions, holds immense popularity among tourists. To fully embrace Salvador, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to allocate three to four days to relax at the beach, browse the museums, taste delicious cuisine, and grab some drinks at a bar. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.

How to spend a day in Salvador

Don't miss São Francisco during your trip to Salvador, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. The city has rich African roots that are noticeable in the cuisine around town. Buffets have become popular in restaurants and many places offer a lunch buffet. They range in price and quality and you often pay by the weight. Common dishes include moqueca (seafood stew), vatapá (a type of curry), and acarajé (fried balls of beans and shrimp).

A few tour suggestions include:

Cooking class in Salvador, an authentic dinning experience ($85)
Hands-On Bahian Cooking Class with Caipirinhas in Salvador ($95)
Brazilian Tasting experience Amazing Foods of Salvador da Bahia ($75)

The public transit in Salvador is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There are buses around town that are divided into two different classes - the common bus and the executive bus.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Salvador?

To do everything that Salvador has to offer, you'll need more than a weekend, but two or three days does allow you a bit more time to explore. You'll have a chance to experience at least some of the highlights. In addition to the great beaches and fun museums and landmarks, visitors can enjoy the nightlife, charming old town, and shopping. By staying a night or two, you'll be able to take advantage of the most interesting activities found here, and we have some suggestions below.

Salvador, Brazil

How to spend 2 days in Salvador

With a weekend (two to three days) in Salvador, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

The beautiful beaches await you in Salvador, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. Many of the beaches are sandy with warm water and tidal pools to explore. The most popular beach is Praia Farol da Barra, which can get crowded. North of the city is the more relaxed Praia Farol de Itapuã and if you want to learn to surf, head to Praia da Jaguaribe, which is home to several surfing schools.

A few tour suggestions include:

Praia Do Forte & Guarajuba Beach Day Trip ($35)
Regular Tour to Forte Beach - Leaving Salvador by Bahia Top Turismo ($27)
Forte Beach and Guarajuba ($29)

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. Head to the old city for a mix of local music and authentic Brazilian activities. Further out, along the stretches of beach, you'll find larger music venues and dance clubs. The atmosphere is laid back and relaxed throughout the city and you'll find a very local vibe in many neighborhoods.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Salvador, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.