Brazil Travel: Recife

Gaining its name from the offshore recifes (reefs) that calm the waters of the city’s ports and shorelines, Recife is one of the Northeast’s most exciting cities. Surrounded by rivers, Recife is called the Brazilian Venice for its cultural importance and fluvial resemblance to the Italian city. Today it is a modern city, with more than 1.5 million residents and a lively cultural and entertainment setting. This urban city has shiny high-rises, bustling commercial areas, and sprawling suburbs. It may take a little time to make your away around the city, but this guide will help you know what the most important sights and activities are during your Brazil travel. A rich cultural area, Recife has some of Brazil’s best folk art, dance, music, and festivals, like fabulous Carnaval. Olinda, Recife’s sister city, is just 6km from the city center. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Olinda is one of the best preserved colonial cities in Brazil. Resting on a hill overlooking Recife and the Atlantic Ocean, Olinda has winding streets lined with colonial buildings and churches that will make you feel as if you entered the 17th century. The two cities are generally considered one destination, as you can easily stay in Olinda and venture into Recife at night for the wild nightlife. Just make sure to check out these interesting sites:

Instituto Ricardo Brennand: The scenic Instituto Ricardo Brennand contains a large collection of European and Brazilian art, swords, armor, and historical artifacts in a faux medieval castle. It is open from Tuesday to Friday, and is about 10 minutes south by taxi.

Museu do Homem do Nordeste: This fine museum has anthropological exhibits on Northeastern life ranging from slave chains to Carnaval costumes. Look at the interesting historical photos throughout the museum.

Capela Dourada: This church has been around since 1696 and is a gem of Brazilian baroque. Nearby is a busy commercial area with shops and stalls lining every street, but still decorated with colonial churches.

Oficina Cerâmica Francisco Brennand: A bizarre sculpture garden filled with sexualized earthworms, frogs and turtles. The rest of the huge space is dedicated to an exhibit of sculptures including gardens with Moorish arches and contorted busts. The artist Francisco Brennand descended from 19th-century Irish immigrants and is considered Brazil’s greatest ceramicists. Set amid think Atlantic rainforest, about 10km west of downtown, this should be a highlight of a Recife vacation.

Museu da Cidade do Recife: Housed within the Forte das Cinco Pontas, a fort built by the Dutch in 1630, the museum has fascinating exhibits on Recife’s history and popular culture.

Fundação Gilberto Freyre: 8km northwest of downtown, this museum is the former home of the author of the revolutionary 1933 book Casa Grande e Senzala (published as The Masters and the Slaves in English) about life on Pernambuco sugar plantations.

Boa Viagem: This beach is generally packed on the weekends but is a fun place to watch or play beach sports. The water tends to be unclean and frequented by sharks.

Sinagoga Kahal Zur Isreal: The first synagogue in the Americas is now a Jewish Cultural Center open to visitors. Some of the original 17th-century structure and bold murals are still intact. Visit the area on Sunday, during the colorful craft markets.



This guide to beautiful Recife was written by a Brazil travel expert at Brazil For Less available to help you custom design your exciting Brazil vacations.