Recife and Olinda City Tour: Catamaran through Brazilian Venice

A 30-minute catamaran through Recife's waterways, then on foot through four centuries of colonial architecture

This panoramic tour of Recife and Olinda combines a catamaran ride through the city's river system with walking tours of two historic neighborhoods, guided in Spanish or Portuguese with hotel pickup included. The catamaran passes the Pina basin, the Port Wall, the Capibaribe river mouth, and ends at Marco Zero Square; passengers who skip the boat continue by bus. Walking routes cover Bom Jesus Street (site of the Kahal Zur Israel Synagogue and the Open Sky Museum), the Alto da Sé in Olinda with views across both cities, and the Casa da Cultura, a 19th-century former prison now housing craft shops and regional food vendors. The tour runs 6 to 8 hours with a lunch stop (price separate) and departs from hotels in Recife or Porto de Galinhas.

Step-by-step itinerary

Recife and Olinda city tour

• Hotel pick up
• Panoramic tour along Boa Viagem shore
• Catamaran ride through Brazilian Venice
• Walk from Marco Zero through Bom Jesus Street
• Visit Kahal Zur Israel Synagogue and giant dolls
• Lunch at regional restaurant
• Bus to Olinda
• Walking tour of Alto da Sé and churches
• Panoramic tour through Recife islands and landmarks
• Visit Casa da Cultura
• Return to hotels

The Experience

The day starts with a drive along Boa Viagem, one of Brazil's most famous urban beaches, before reaching Catamaran Space. There you choose: board a 30-minute catamaran that winds through the city's river system—past the Pina basin, the Port Wall, and the Capibaribe river mouth—while the guide points out the Sculpture Park of Francisco Brennand and explains the waterways' history and role in the city. If you skip the boat, the bus takes you directly to Marco Zero Square, where both groups meet to continue on foot.

From Marco Zero, the walking route follows Bom Jesus Street (formerly Judeus Street) past the Kahal Zur Israel Synagogue and the Open Sky Museum; the Olinda Giant Dolls Embassy and Pernambuco Embassy are optional stops with separate entrance fees. Each place takes about 20 minutes, though you can wait in the Navy Arsenal square if you prefer to skip them. Around 11:30 a.m., everyone returns to the bus for a one-hour lunch break at a restaurant with regional dishes (you pay separately). Then the bus heads to Olinda.

In Olinda, a 50-minute walking tour climbs to the Alto da Sé, where the Sé and Misericórdia Churches sit at the highest point—the view across both cities is the one UNESCO recognized when it named Olinda a World Heritage site. A craft market sits nearby if you want to browse. On the return to Recife, the route passes all three islands (Recife, Santo Antônio, and Boa Vista), the Maurício de Nassau Bridge, and Republic Square, where the Government Palace, Santa Isabel Theater, and Palace of Justice stand. The final 40-minute stop is the Casa da Cultura, a mid-19th-century building that served as a prison and now holds craft shops and local food stalls. After that, the bus returns you to your hotel.

What’s included

• Roundtrip hotel pickup from most hotels in Recife or Porto de Galinhas.
• professional tour guide in Spanish or Portuguese.
• the 30-minute catamaran ride through Recife's waterways (or bus alternative to Marco Zero if you prefer not to ride).
• walking tours of Bom Jesus Street, the Alto da Sé in Olinda, and the Casa da Cultura.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gray Line Brazil

Is this one for you?Choose the Spanish-speaking or Portuguese-speaking option based on your language preference at checkout. The catamaran is included but optional—if you prefer to stay on the bus, you'll still see Marco Zero and all the walking sites. Wear comfortable shoes and light clothing, as the tour involves roughly 50 minutes of walking in Olinda and another 20 minutes on Bom Jesus Street, with a one-hour lunch break in between.

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Top questions

Can I skip the catamaran ride and still do the rest of the tour?

Yes. Passengers who don't take the catamaran ride follow the guide by bus to Marco Zero Square, where you rejoin the walking portions of the tour. The catamaran is optional; the rest of the itinerary proceeds either way.

What is the Casa da Cultura and how much time do we spend there?

The Casa da Cultura is a 19th-century building that was originally built as a prison and now functions as a center for regional culture. The tour includes a 40-minute stop there, where you can browse craft shops and sample local food and delicacies.

Do I need to pay extra to enter churches and museums in Olinda?

Entrance to the Sé and Misericórdia Churches, the Olinda Giant Dolls Embassy, and the Pernambuco Embassy are optional and not included in the tour price. You pay separately at each site if you choose to enter. The guide can provide more details about which sites charge admission.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included. The tour includes a one-hour lunch stop at a restaurant with regional options around 11:30 a.m., but you pay for your meal separately in Brazilian reais.

What should I wear for this tour?

Wear light, comfortable clothing and comfortable walking shoes, as the tour includes walking through Olinda's historic streets and the colonial neighborhoods of Recife. Sunscreen is recommended. Note that medium and large vehicles cannot enter Olinda's historical center by municipal law, so some sections are done on foot.

Which hotels are included in the pickup?

Roundtrip transfer is included for most hotels in Recife and Porto de Galinhas. Confirm your specific hotel address when you book, as pickup availability depends on your location.