Salvador city tour: First capital with guide and hotel pickup

Seven stops through Salvador's colonial heart, from the Barra Lighthouse to the gilded São Francisco Church

A Portuguese-language city tour of Salvador with a private vehicle and guide, covering the historic center, Cidade Alta, Pelourinho, the Lacerda Elevator, the Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, and the São Francisco Church and Convent. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the guide handles the route and the stories. You show up and walk. The tour runs 4 to 6 hours depending on how long you linger at each stop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Barra Lighthouse30m
2. Tororo Dikepassing by
3. Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim1h
4. Itaipava Arena Fonte Novapassing by
5. Lacerda Elevator10m
6. Cidade Alta2h
7. Sao Francisco Church and Convent20m

Explore Salvador's historic and cultural sites

• Visit Bahia nautical museum or photo stop
• Photo stop with the orixás (optional)
• Visit Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim
• Learn story of Brazil's first Saint
• Photo stop at Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova (optional)
• Climb Lacerda Elevator
• Discover historic center of Salvador
• Walk to Praça Terreiro de Jesus
• Pass through the square
• Pass by Governor's house
• Visit Ouro Church (Sao Francisco Church and Convent)
• Explore final part of Pelourinho
• Return to hotel or chosen location

The experience

Your guide picks you up at your hotel and drives you through Salvador in an air-conditioned vehicle. The route starts at the Barra Lighthouse, where you can visit the nautical museum or just take a photo of the coast. From there you move inland to the Tororo Dike, where you have the option to photograph the orixás sculptures if you want to. The guide knows which stops matter most and which ones you can skip if time is tight.

The heart of the day is Cidade Alta and Pelourinho, the colonial neighborhood where you walk through narrow streets, past the Governor's house, and into Praça Terreiro de Jesus. You'll climb the Lacerda Elevator (the world's first urban elevator, built into the cliff face) to move between the upper and lower city. The Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, the most popular church in Bahia, is a stop where the guide explains the story of Brazil's first saint. The tour ends at the São Francisco Church and Convent, where the interior is covered in gold leaf and ranked as the 7th Portuguese wonder in the world.

The guide speaks Portuguese and handles the navigation, the history and the photo stops. You decide how long to spend at each place: some travelers linger in Pelourinho, others move faster. When you're done, the driver takes you back to your hotel, restaurant or wherever you want to be dropped off.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel pickup and drop-off at your chosen location.
• a Portuguese-speaking guide for the full tour.
• stops at the Barra Lighthouse, Tororo Dike, Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, Lacerda Elevator, Cidade Alta, Pelourinho, Praça Terreiro de Jesus, and São Francisco Church and Convent.
• photo stops at each site.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guidePortuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 14 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by CitytourSalvadorBa

Is this one for you?Choose this if you speak Portuguese and want to explore Salvador's colonial center with friends at your own pace, moving between stops without waiting for a group schedule.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 9 years); Infant (under 5): free.

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

The Lacerda Elevator is the world's first urban elevator, built into the cliff that separates Cidade Alta from the lower city. You climb it as part of the tour to move between the two neighborhoods and see how Salvador's geography shaped its layout.

Can I visit the churches and museums on this tour, or do I pay extra?

Entry to the churches and museums is not included in the tour price. Your guide will take you to the sites and explain them from outside or in the entrance areas, and you can choose to buy a ticket if you want to go inside.

Is this tour only in Portuguese?

Yes, the guide speaks Portuguese only. This tour was designed for Portuguese speakers who want to enjoy Salvador at a fair price and hear the stories in their own language.

How much walking is involved in a Salvador city tour?

You'll walk through Cidade Alta and Pelourinho, which involves climbing some steep colonial streets, and you'll move between several stops on foot. The pace is set by the group, and the guide can adjust based on how you're doing.

Does the tour include photos, or is that just something the guide helps with?

The guide takes lots of photos during the tour and helps you get good shots at each stop. You'll have photos from the day, though the exact arrangement depends on what you ask for.

What happens if I arrive late or want to start at a different time?

The pickup time is arranged when you book. If your flight or plans change, contact the operator to adjust the start time before your tour date.