Bahia: the brazilians favorite

Chosen as the number one touristic spot by the Brazilians, Bahia demands special posts, to show some of the best towns by the Atlantic Ocean.

The front door of the state is its capital, Salvador. With historic afro elements in its composition, the first capital of Brazil has an extended menu of attractions that deserve a well planned trip.

The tradition continues present in Salvador, so spend two or three days at historic sites and the historic downtown “Pelourinho”.

It is like an outdoor museum, with secular architecture and narrow slopes. Considered one of the main cultural centers of the world by Unesco, the town with more African descendents in the world is for sure the center of afro culture in Brazil. That is represented in the street - vendors, in the costumes, in the food, in the rligion and the people.

Salvador is divided in Cidade Alta and Cidade Baixa. So in Cidade Baixa, by the sea, is the Mercado Modelo with 263 souvenir stores, seafront views restaurants and an underground museum, where the African slaves were first sheltered in the colonial time.

One of the sea sites visible by the Mercado is the Sao Marcelo Fort, with an interesting museum and scenic views landscape. From there the city is even more exciting.

The Lacerda Elevator stands out taking people from Cidade Baixa up to Cidade Alta. Once up there the visitors can choose a double deck bus or walk to know the Pelourinho.  A walk can be more efficient to explore the stores, bars, restaurants and infinite museums and churchs.

The Churc of Sao Francisco and its neighbor Church of Sao Francisco da Ordem Terceira, with museum adjacent, must be included in the priorities. One has the interior all in gold, the other was included in the seven wonders of Brazil. They are one of the best expressions of the Portuguese Barroc in the world.

Get to know the Carmo Church with tunnels of 8 km where only the slaves would get in the colonial times.

One of the best places to taste the region food, is the Senac Restaurant in the Pelourinho. With a large buffet, they have a variety of the plates to be known. At the evening, go to Rio Vermelho neighbor for a special acarajé (symbol of the Bahian Culinary).

To drink, enjoy the cravinho, wich is like a cachaça, but tastier and sweet. There is a bar in front of Sao Francisco Church that serves it in many different mixes.

Besides Pelourinho, the Nosso Senhor do Bonfim Church is also worth the visit, as well as the Itapoa beach immortalized by the Bossa Nova.

 Next, beaches down the state coast.