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Discover Salvador

Discover Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

Salvador is the capital of Bahia, in northeastern Brazil, facing All Saints Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It should not be confused with El Salvador, the Central American country. Founded in 1549 and Brazil’s first capital, Salvador remains one of the country’s most important centres of Afro-Brazilian culture.

Aerial panorama of Salvador from Farol da Barra, with the lighthouse in the foreground, the Atlantic coast and the city skyline stretching inland.
Salvador seen from Farol da Barra, where the Atlantic coastline opens onto the city.

Important dates

Three celebrations that change the rhythm of Salvador

These are not just dates on a calendar. Each one changes how the city feels, moves and celebrates, and can shape the experience of an entire trip.

Festa de Iemanjá celebration beside the sea in Rio Vermelho, Salvador
February 2

Rio Vermelho

Festa de Iemanjá

Every February 2, Rio Vermelho becomes the centre of one of Salvador's most important Afro-Brazilian celebrations, with flowers and offerings carried to the sea in honour of Iemanjá.

Explore the festival

Salvador Carnival crowd around a trio elétrico at night
Movable date · Feb/Mar

Street circuits

Carnival

Carnival follows a movable calendar linked to Easter and usually falls in February or early March. Salvador's main street circuits fill with trio elétricos, blocos and enormous crowds.

Plan for Carnival

São João celebration with bonfire, traditional foods, flags, forró musicians and couples dancing
June 24

June festivities

São João

São João is the main date in Bahia's June festival cycle, with forró, bonfires, colourful flags and traditional foods. The cycle also includes Santo Antônio on June 13 and São Pedro on June 29.

Discover São João

Planning around one of these dates? Accommodation and transport can fill up quickly, especially around Carnival and the busiest June festivities.

Explore

Discover Salvador

The facade of the Monastery of Sao Bento in Salvador, framed by mature trees.
EssentialFirst trip

Historic Center & Pelourinho

Pelourinho is the famous heart, not the whole Historic Center. Walk the city from Sao Bento to Santo Antonio and watch Salvador change century by century.

Read guide