Best Areas to Stay in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil

Salvador da Bahia City Center, also called Pelourinho, is the cultural district of Salvador par excellence since it is in this area full of Portuguese baroque architecture and colonial houses where the city festivals are held.

It is the oldest area of Bahia and the favorite of tourists since cultural activities abound, including museums such as the ethnographic museum, the archaeological museum, and the gastronomic museum.

It has the largest collection of cathedrals in Brazil, among which the Church of San Francisco and the Cathedral stand out.

The City Center can be explored on foot, although it is also possible to take a taxi or bus to move around this area or to other places in the city.

The City Center is the best area to stay in Salvador da Bahia for tourists and culture lovers. It also offers mixed accommodation and hotels close to the attractions.

Itapua is located on the Bahia peninsula, northeast of the City Center, between General Severino Filho Avenue and Professor Souza Brito Rua.

It is a quite striking tourist neighborhood that has beautiful beaches such as Itapua, Ipitanga, Pedra do Sal or the one with the Itapoan Lighthouse.

The old Itapoan Lighthouse is surrounded by cafes and restaurants typical of the area, where a quiet and beach atmosphere reigns.

In addition to being an area near the City Center, it also has public transport stations on its main avenues.

Staying in Itapua allows visitors to enjoy the beaches and coastal environment of Bahia, making it one of the best areas to stay in Salvador da Bahia.

Ondina is located south of the peninsula and facing the sea, next to the Río Vermelho district.

It is a luxury area in which clubs, bars, branded stores and high-end restaurants abound.

Unlike other districts in the city, it has live music venues and gourmet restaurants, which attracts the vast majority of young tourists traveling to Salvador da Bahia.

Many bus stops pass through the avenues in this area such as R. Padre Feijó, Reitor Miguel Calmon, and Sao Jorge, with connections to the many attractions of the City Center.

Ondina is the best area to stay in Salvador da Bahia to enjoy luxury and good night entertainment. Similarly, prestigious brand hotels abound in this district.

Flamengo is located northeast of the City Center and is one of the busiest coastal areas of the city, located near Stella Maris and the Salvador de Bahia International Airport.

Its beaches, among with those of Stella Mariscal, form one of the most important coastal paradises in Brazil.

It is the favorite destination for lovers of activities such as diving, fishing, surfing and kitesurfing.

One of its biggest advantages is its proximity to the airport, which makes it the best area to stay in Salvador da Bahia for weekend getaways or to make a stopover.

Despite being far from the City Center, Flamengo has public transport connections on its largest avenue, called Luis de Viana.

Mixed accommodation formed by three-star hotels and lots of apartments is the norm in this district.

Santo Antonio is one of the oldest districts of Salvador da Bahia, located in the center of the metropolis, near Barbalho and Carmo.

Its most emblematic attraction is the Parish of San Antonio, located on top of a hill, from where you can see the best views of the city.

Another site of interest in the district is the lake of Santo Antonio, a tourist center formed by green areas, monuments, and roads.

Staying in this area allows you to walk to the attractions of the City Center. However, bus stops also abound to move around the district and its surroundings.

The guest houses, apartments and motels are a good option to stay in Santo Antonio since they allow you to reduce costs and, at the same time, to stay close to the attractions.

Pituba is located southeast of Bahia, and it is known for being an exclusive, high class residential area.

Pituba’s entertainment and leisure revolves around Manoel Dias Da Silva Avenue, where there are galleries, museums, theaters, bars and the famous City Park.

Pituba beach offers a much quieter environment than other beaches in Bahia. Being a more local and less touristy place, it is ideal for a summer vacation.

As for transport options, it is an area far from the City Center, but well-supported by the public transport service. In each important corner of the district, you can take the bus to the most central areas of Bahia.

When looking for a place to stay in Salvador da Bahia, Pituba is one of the best alternatives because, although it does not have the dynamism of the City Center, it has affordable and comfortable accommodation options.