Pelourinho Night Tour: Carnival Streets & Landmarks
Walk Pelourinho's streets as the drums beat and the parades move through the night
A private night tour of Pelourinho takes you through Salvador's historic center during Carnival, led by a guide who explains the African and Catholic traditions woven into the streets. You visit the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of Blacks, taste a traditional cachaça drink at a local bar, and walk through squares like Terreiro de Jesus and Praça da Sé where the festivities unfold from dusk until dawn.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Pelourinho and local festivities
- Attend Catholic Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary
- Experience African-origin worship elements
- Enjoy street music and dance in Pelourinho
- Visit Praça da Sé inside Pelourinho
- Explore Terreiro de Jesus square
- See famous square where Michael Jackson filmed
- Visit a square in Salvador's historic center
- Try typical carnation drink and snacks
What’s included
- Driver and guide for the three-hour tour.
- air-conditioned vehicle for transport between stops.
- pickup included.
Times
- Tuesday 17:00
Before you book
Operated by Your Tour Brazil
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The experience
The tour moves through Pelourinho's streets on a night when the parades are underway, and your guide explains what you're seeing: the drums and the dancers are forms of resistance rooted in African traditions, present in the worship at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of Blacks and in the celebration of Ogun, the African god of liberation. This is Blessing Day, held every Tuesday during Carnival, when the Catholic Mass incorporates elements of African religions and the streets themselves become part of the ritual.
You'll stop at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of Blacks to witness the Mass, then move through the historic center's squares: Terreiro de Jesus, Praça da Sé, and the square where Michael Jackson filmed a music video with Olodum, Salvador's original percussive band. At a rustic bar in the historic center, you try a carnation, the local drink made from cachaça infusions, and snacks. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese, and the air-conditioned vehicle keeps you comfortable between stops as the night unfolds around you.
The tour runs three hours and requires a minimum of two adults per booking. Pickup is included, and public transportation options are available nearby if you need them before or after.
Is this one for you?The tour runs three hours on foot through crowded streets during active Carnival celebrations, so you'll be walking and standing in the midst of the parades and crowds. This suits travelers who want to be in the thick of the festivities rather than watching from a distance.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 10 years); Infant (under 6): free.
What is the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of Blacks and why does the tour stop there?
The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of Blacks is a Catholic church in Pelourinho that celebrates Mass in line with elements of African religions. On Blessing Day during Carnival, this is where the festivities begin, with worship honoring both Catholic saints and African gods like Ogun, making it the spiritual center of the night's celebrations.
What happens on the streets of Pelourinho during the tour?
The parades and festivities run from dusk until dawn, with drums, dancing and crowds filling the streets. Your guide explains how these musical forms and celebrations are rooted in African traditions and represent a form of resistance, with citizens joining in the honor of Ogun and the liberation traditions woven into Pelourinho's history.
What drink will I try during the tour?
You'll taste a carnation, the traditional drink from Salvador's historic center. It's made from various types of cachaça infusions and served at a rustic bar along with snacks, giving you a taste of local flavor during the night.
Which squares does the tour visit in Pelourinho?
The tour includes Terreiro de Jesus, a square of great historical and cultural importance in the historic center; Praça da Sé, located inside Pelourinho; and the famous square where Michael Jackson recorded a music video with Olodum, Salvador's original percussive band.
Pelourinho Night Tour: Carnival Streets & Landmarks
3h · EN · ES · PT · at your hotel
from US$ 100 per person
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