Salvador is sensory overload. The coastal city in northern Brazil is bursting with color, music, and flavor. And that’s to say nothing of history and culture. The annual Carnival in Salvador attracts visitors from every corner of the globe, but even outside of the festival season the city overflows with life. If you want to know more, read on for my guide to spending 2 days in Salvador, Brazil.

2 Days in Salvador, Brazil

2 Days in Salvador, Brazil

I arrived in Salvador on a short flight from Rio de Janeiro last Friday. I was excited to spend 48 hours in Salvador seeing the sights and exploring the city.

Church in Salvador, Brazil

Pestana Convento do Carmo Hotel in Salvador

My hotel, the Pestana Convento do Carmo, was housed in a former convent right in the heart of the famous Pelourinho district.

The beautiful building was the first historic luxury hotel in Brazil, and I was excited to be offered a night’s accommodation during my stay in the capital of Bahia.

Convento do Carmo hotel in Salvador, Brazil

The hotel had a gorgeous swimming pool in the middle of a courtyard, a tranquil library, a small spa, a bar, and a restaurant.

The rooms were located down long, tall corridors, and mine was set over two floors. The top floor had a large, comfortable bed and bathroom, and the bottom floor had two sofas, a desk, and another bathroom.

Convento do Carmo hotel in Salvador, Brazil

I could have stayed at the hotel for my entire 2 days in Salvador, but there was more to explore beyond the cloisters.

Old City in Salvador, Brazil

Out I went into the summer sunshine, down cobblestone streets, past brightly colored buildings, and alongside crumbling colonial churches.

Colorful buildings in Salvador, Brazil

The highlight of my 2 days in Salvador was wandering around the historic city.

Everywhere I looked there were galleries featuring colorful art, clothing stores selling long white dresses, and street vendors tempting passers-by with fresh coconuts.

All the while the sound of samba filled the sweltering summer air like a fresh ocean breeze. The city reminded me a lot of Cartagena in Colombia and San Telmo in Buenos Aires.

Street art in Salvador, Brazil

After walking around for a while, I took the city elevator down to the waterfront. There I found myself in front of Salvador’s famous Mercado Modelo market.

Both outside and in, vendors were hawking beaded bracelets, cotton clothing, and Salvadorian souvenirs. I explored the market for a bit, picking up a cheese-filled pastry for lunch at a stand along the way.

Mercado Modelo in Salvador, Brazil

Back up in Salvador’s old town, I stumbled upon an impromptu capoeira performance in the square in front of the cathedral.

I watched for a while, then drank an acai smoothie with granola and banana and ate dinner at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant called Cafelier.

View of Salvador, Brazil

The restaurant only had a handful of tables, all of which overlooked the ocean on a terrace high above the sea.

The scene was so dream-like that I could have sat there forever enjoying my food and listening to the sounds of samba music.

Pestana Lodge Salvador

But I had more of Salvador to explore, and I continued my 2 days in Salvador outside of the historic Pelourinho district.

Rooftops in Salvador, Brazil

On my second night in Salvador I was invited to stay at the Pestana Lodge Salvador. The hotel was located on the waterfront several miles away from the old town.

I had a bit of trouble after checking in, as the first room I was given had a strange smell and the second had a malfunctioning air conditioner.

The third one was better, though, and the staff was helpful. After getting situated, I settled in for another day in the summer sunshine.

Pestana Bahia Lodge

The pool at the Pestana Lodge Salvador was under maintenance, but there was a second pool at the other section of the hotel that I could use.

I spent a long lazy afternoon there on a lounge chair, broken only by a walk into the city to find food.

Local Salvador

My stroll took me into a very different part of Salvador than the famous center. The colorful buildings were fewer, and the area was more of a local neighborhood.

The beachfront added a nice ambiance, and a smattering of sculptures lent the area an artistic air.

Public art in Salvador, Brazil

Everywhere I looked there were cafes with bright plastic chairs spilling out into plazas. I walked around until I found a restaurant called Dada with a funky interior and an appetizing menu.

There I ate two pasteis de Dada for lunch. The cheese and chicken pastries were excellent, and after finishing them I returned to my spot by the pool.

Lunch at Dada restaurant in Salvador, Brazil

2 Days in Salvador

As the noontime sun faded into the golden light of evening, I peeled myself off my lounge chair, checked out of the Pestana Lodge Salvador, and headed to the airport.

It was sad that my 2 days in Salvador were coming to an end. I was going to miss its abundance of colors, vibrant music, and beautiful beaches.

But I wasn’t finished with Brazil yet, and I looked forward to spending two more days in Rio de Janeiro before my South American adventure was over.

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2 Days in Salvador, Brazil

10 Comments on Lady’s Guide to 2 Days in Salvador, Brazil

  1. I really need to get to Salvador. It sounds like it’s really got its own culture, but at the same time it’s got those gorgeous, slightly crumbling buildings I love so much from other parts of Brazil.

    • I agree, Emily. I loved the mix of colors and crumbling colonial buildings in Salvador. The culture there is really, great too. You should visit if you get a chance next time you’re in Brazil!

  2. Lovely! I regret not going to see Salvador while we were in Rio for Carnaval. Definitely planning on using that 10 year visa… Happy holidays!

  3. I love Salvador! I lived there with my son for one year…I worked at a community org. right across from the convent where you stayed and took Afro-Brazilian dance classes in Pelourinho. I stayed in the Barra neighborhood….touristy, but great beaches!!!

    • Hi Mae! That’s so great that you got to live in Salvador for a year. What an amazing experience that must have been!

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