Salvador City Tour with Beach Swim: Pelourinho to Flamengo

One tour wraps Salvador's entire history and coastline into a single afternoon.

A private Salvador city tour with hotel pickup and drop-off covers the Pelourinho's five colonial squares, the São Francisco Church with its Portuguese tile work, the Lacerda Elevator, Forte da Barra, and Mercado Modelo, then continues along the coast to a beach of your choice for swimming time. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese and shapes the pace to your interests. You decide whether to stop for photos only or spend an hour in the water at Flamengo, Itapuã or Stella Maris. The tour runs seven hours and includes a driver throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Sao Francisco Church and Convent30m · entry included
2. Cidade Alta2h
3. Lacerda Elevator15m · entry included
4. Forte de Santo Antonio da Barra15m
5. Mercado Modelo20m

Salvador city tour and beach visit

• Explore Pelourinho old city
• Visit Sao Francisco Church and Convent
• Walk around Cidade Alta historic area
• Visit Jesuit art site
• Photo stop at independence monument
• Ride Lacerda Elevator
• Visit Forte de Santo Antonio da Barra
• Explore Mercado Modelo market
• Drive along Salvador coastline
• Stop at Flamengo Beach for photos
• Relax and swim at chosen beach

The experience

If you've just arrived in Salvador or have a free afternoon, this tour solves the problem of seeing both the colonial heart and the beaches without renting a car or piecing together separate trips. The guide picks you up at your hotel and starts in Cidade Alta, the old upper city, where you walk the cobbled streets of the Pelourinho's five interconnected squares. The complex that holds the most intact colonial architecture in Brazil. The São Francisco Church and Convent comes next, known for its Portuguese tile collection and gold-leafed interior, then you ride the Lacerda Elevator down to the waterfront and explore Mercado Modelo, the traditional handicraft market where dozens of stalls sell local art, lacework and leather goods.

From there the route follows the entire coastline, passing Forte da Barra (Salvador's most famous waterfront landmark with panoramic views of the Bay of All Saints), and then opening up to the beach stretch. You choose which beach to stop at: Flamengo, surrounded by coconut palms and set next to Itapuã and Stella Maris, or one of the others along the way. The guide will spend roughly an hour there if you want to swim in the turquoise water and rest on the sand, or move through quickly if you prefer photos only. Traffic and time of day shift the exact duration, but the seven-hour window holds the whole sequence.

The guide shares the city's history and culture as you move through each stop, and the private format means you're not waiting for other groups or following a fixed schedule through the Pelourinho. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't arrange transport to the start.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a professional guide in your choice of English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• a driver throughout the seven hours.
• entry and walking access to the Pelourinho's colonial squares, the São Francisco Church and Convent, the Lacerda Elevator, Forte da Barra, and Mercado Modelo.
• and roughly an hour at your chosen beach for swimming or photos.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Your Tour Brazil

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to combine colonial history and beach time in one day with a private guide who adjusts the pace. You control how long to linger in the Pelourinho versus how much time to spend swimming.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is the Pelourinho and why does the tour spend time walking there?

The Pelourinho is the five-square colonial complex in Cidade Alta, the old upper city, and it holds the most intact historic architecture in Brazil. The walking tour takes you through the cobbled stone streets with a guide explaining the history of this manly historic part of the country.

Can I actually swim at the beach, or is it just a photo stop?

You choose. If you want to swim, the tour stops for roughly an hour at Flamengo, Itapuã or Stella Maris beach, where you can enjoy the turquoise water and sand. If you prefer photos only, the guide moves through without stopping for a swim.

Which beach should I pick if I've never been to Salvador?

Flamengo is the tour's main beach stop, surrounded by coconut palms and set next to Itapuã and Stella Maris. All three are beautiful. Flamengo is described as charming and set in a tranquil area, while Itapuã is known for calm turquoise waters and a laid-back vibe.

What is the Lacerda Elevator and why is it on the tour?

The Lacerda Elevator is an iconic Salvador landmark that connects the upper city (Cidade Alta) to the waterfront below. The tour includes a ride on it as part of the journey from the colonial squares down to the market and beaches.

How long does the tour take, and what time does it start?

The tour runs seven hours total. Hotel pickup is included, so the guide arrives at your hotel at the agreed time and returns you there at the end. Exact timing depends on traffic and the time of day.