Your Travel Experience with Finest Journeys
Paraty to Salvador
Brazil’s first capital, Salvador, is located on a peninsula that overlooks the bay from which the state of Bahia takes its name. The city is known for its slower rhythm of life and strong expression of Brazilian cultural traditions, particularly through music, religion, and everyday customs. The historic center, known as the Pelourinho—named after the colonial-era whipping post once located there—is one of the city's most distinctive areas. It features a concentration of well-preserved colonial buildings and baroque churches, many dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The area reflects the blend of European, African, and Indigenous influences that have shaped Salvador’s development. Today, Pelourinho is a pedestrian-friendly district, home to cultural institutions, local artisans, music venues, and restaurants. The churches, including São Francisco and the Cathedral Basilica, are notable for their detailed woodwork and gold leaf interiors. Walking through these streets provides a look at how Salvador has held onto its architectural legacy while adapting to contemporary life. The atmosphere here is shaped as much by the setting as by the community that lives and works within it, maintaining practices that have deep historical roots while remaining very much part of Brazil’s present.