Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Salvador?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Salvador?
Many visitors spend three to four days in Salvador during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This city offers a number of attractions to explore, including the beaches, the museums and landmarks, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife.
Salvador is the capital city of the state of Bahia. It has a historic area that is filled with colonial architecture that dates back to the Portuguese colonial period. Today the city's culture still reflects its Afro-Brazilian roots. The city also runs along the coastline and is home to several beautiful, sandy beaches.
Do you have one or two weeks to visit Salvador? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one week enough time in Salvador?
One week is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Salvador, as it's not as large as some other cities. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. Relax at the beach, browse the museums, taste delicious cuisine, and grab some drinks at a bar. You could also use Salvador as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.
How to spend a week in Salvador
Don't miss São Francisco during your trip to Salvador, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. The city has rich African roots that are noticeable in the cuisine around town. Buffets have become popular in restaurants and many places offer a lunch buffet. They range in price and quality and you often pay by the weight. Common dishes include moqueca (seafood stew), vatapá (a type of curry), and acarajé (fried balls of beans and shrimp).
A few tour suggestions include:
- Cooking class in Salvador, an authentic dinning experience ($78)
- 9-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador ($90)
- Private Bahian Cooking Class - An Amazing Experience! ($120)
The public transit in Salvador is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There are buses around town that are divided into two different classes - the common bus and the executive bus.
The beautiful beaches await you in Salvador, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. Many of the beaches are sandy with warm water and tidal pools to explore. The most popular beach is Praia Farol da Barra, which can get crowded. North of the city is the more relaxed Praia Farol de Itapuã and if you want to learn to surf, head to Praia da Jaguaribe, which is home to several surfing schools.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Easy Diving - Lord Beach Snorkeling - Leaving Forte Beach by Emytour ($33)
- Praia Do Forte & Guarajuba Beach Day Trip ($35)
- Regular Tour to Forte Beach - Leaving Salvador by Bahia Top Turismo ($24)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. Head to the old city for a mix of local music and authentic Brazilian activities. Further out, along the stretches of beach, you'll find larger music venues and dance clubs. The atmosphere is laid back and relaxed throughout the city and you'll find a very local vibe in many neighborhoods.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Curated Nightlife Experience in the Heart of the City ($71)
A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Salvador, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. Many of the main sights are found in the historic part of town. In this area you'll find the Museu da Cidade, the Abelardo Rodrigues Museum, and the Casa do Benin. There are many ornate churches as well such as the São Francisco and the Carmelite Church.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Salvador African Heritage Private City Tour Including Afro Museum ($110)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Salvador.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The city served as the first Portuguese capital and today it still has colonial architecture and a historic atmosphere. At the historic heart of the city is the Pelourinho neighborhood, which has nice squares and cobblestone streets.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Walking Tour of Salvador Pelourinho ($60)
- Salvador's 500 years - A cultural and historical walking tour ($46)
- Pelourinho Salvador Private Walking Tour ($102)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Shopping in Salvador is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. There are many local markets and shops around town where you can pick up traditional Brazilian items and artisan crafts.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Salvador.
After you've explored most of Salvador, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Praia Do Forte & Guarajuba Beach Day Trip ($35)
- Praia do Forte with Guarajuba Beach - Day Trip from Salvador ($40)
- From Salvador to Praia do Forte Day trip get to know the coconut coast ($184)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Salvador.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Salvador?
Two weeks provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Salvador at your own pace to experience the beaches, the museums and landmarks, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife. Then you can use this city as a convenient base for venturing into smaller destinations nearby where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
Salvador, Brazil
How to spend 2 weeks in Salvador
With 2 weeks in Salvador, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the city has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time relaxing on the beach. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this city looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- Praia Do Forte & Guarajuba Beach Day Trip ($35)
- Praia do Forte with Guarajuba Beach - Day Trip from Salvador ($40)
- From Salvador to Praia do Forte Day trip get to know the coconut coast ($184)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Salvador, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.