Olinda & Recife: City tour with Instituto Ricardo Brennand

Summary

Walking Olinda’s hills, tasting history, and wandering a castle of art

Step into Olinda’s winding streets with a local guide, taste sugarcane juice at Alto da Sé Square, browse Mercado da Ribeira’s crafts, and explore Instituto Ricardo Brennand’s art-filled halls in Recife. With hotel pickup included and stories around every corner, this is a day you’ll remember long after leaving Pernambuco.

What’s the experience like?

We started winding up Olinda’s old cobbled streets just after breakfast — the kind of morning where the air feels sticky but not quite heavy. Our guide, Ana, waved us over by the van (double air-con, thank god) and pointed out the pastel houses stacked along the hill. She had this way of mixing stories about Portuguese tiles with jokes about Carnaval costumes — I still remember her laugh echoing off the convent walls when I tried to pronounce “Misericórdia” (I got it wrong every time). The city felt alive in a slow way; you could hear church bells somewhere behind the mango trees, and every so often someone would lean out a window to watch us pass.

At Alto da Sé Square, we paused for sugarcane juice from a cart. The view over Recife was hazy but bright — all those modern towers poking up behind colonial roofs. Ana explained how Olinda and Recife have always been close but different; you can sort of feel it in the air. We ducked into São Francisco’s convent, cool stone underfoot, sunlight catching on blue-and-white azulejos. I didn’t expect to be so moved by tiles, but there’s something about seeing centuries-old fingerprints in the glaze that sticks with you.

The Mercado da Ribeira was loud and smelled like roasted cashews mixed with incense. We wandered past stalls selling woodcarvings and little clay saints — I bought one for my aunt back home. Someone offered us bolo de rolo (that rolled cake), which is sweeter than it looks. After that we drove out to Instituto Ricardo Brennand on Recife’s edge. The place looks like a medieval castle dropped into tropical gardens — swords everywhere, oil paintings staring down at you. Our guide said it’s voted South America’s best museum; honestly, I lost track of time inside those halls. There was this silence in one gallery that made me pause longer than I meant to.

I keep thinking about that first step onto Olinda’s stones — how slippery they were from last night’s rain, how Ana steadied me without making a big deal of it. It wasn’t just sightseeing; it felt like being let in on someone else’s memories for a few hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Olinda and Recife Highlights

• Visit Instituto Ricardo Brennand
• Panoramic view of Olinda and Recife
• See Portuguese tile collection
• Stop for shops, food and drink
• Explore old market of slaves and merchandise

Top questions

How long does the Olinda & Recife city tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 5 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Is hotel pickup included in this city tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels.

What attractions are visited during the tour?

You’ll visit sites like Convento de São Francisco, Alto da Sé Square, Misericórdia Church, Mercado da Ribeira, Monastery of São Bento, and Instituto Ricardo Brennand.

Is there an English-speaking guide on this tour?

The tour is operated by a multilingual local guide who speaks English among other languages.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes, all taxes, fees, and handling charges are included in your booking.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No formal lunch is included but there are stops for food and drinks at local markets.

Can infants join this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed and infant seats are available if needed.

Does the van have air conditioning?

Yes, transport is by VIP van with double air conditioning and comfortable seats.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off (for selected hotels), all entry fees to attractions like Instituto Ricardo Brennand and historic churches, guided visits throughout Olinda and Recife with a multilingual local expert, plus comfortable transport by air-conditioned van so you can relax between stops.