Tourist Guide to the North-East and Brazil — Bahia, Salvador and More

Tourism in Pernambuco: Culture, History and Natural Beauty

The state of Pernambuco is one of Brazil’s most important tourist centres, offering a wide range of activities from paradisiacal beaches and historic cities to cultural events of national and international importance.

1. Historical and Cultural Heritage

Pernambuco has one of the oldest churches in Brazil, located in Igarassu, in the metropolitan region of Recife. The Church of São Cosme e Damião, dating from 1535, is part of a Historical Centre listed by the National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN).

The capital of Pernambuco, Recife, is home to Recife Antigo, a traditional neighbourhood with strong tourist appeal, where you’ll find Marco Zero, Rua do Bom Jesus and the Kahal Zur Israel Synagogue, the first in the Americas.

Also noteworthy are the Ricardo Brennand Institute, a national reference in artistic and historical collections, and the Casa da Cultura, a former prison that has been transformed into an arts and crafts centre.

In Olinda, the Historic Site, declared a World Heritage Site Site by UNESCO, is one of the most important colonial architectural complexes in Brazil. The city is the stage for the Olinda Carnival, famous for its giant puppets and frevo and maracatu rhythms.

2. Sun and beach tourism

Pernambuco’s 187-kilometre-long coastline is one of the state’s biggest tourist attractions. The main beaches include

• Port de Galinhas: famous for its natural pools and marine life.
• Muro Alto: Calm waters protected by reefs.
• Maracaípe: Ideal for surfing and kitesurfing.
• Boa Viagem: Recife’s urban beach with excellent infrastructure.

The Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, also recognised by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site, is an ecological sanctuary, with the Sancho Bay and the Bay of Pigs being ideal for diving.

3. Agreste and Sertão: Ecotourism and festivities

In the Agreste region of Pernambuco, the town of Bonito stands out for its waterfalls and adventure tourism activities such as abseiling, trekking and tree climbing. In Gravatá, at an altitude of 447 metres, the mild climate and rural traditions attract tourists during the months of June and July.

In Garanhuns, the Winter Festival, which has been running for over 20 years, offers a varied programme of music, theatre and dance. In the Sertão, the city of Triunfo, the highest in the state, hosts the Student Theatre and Dance Festival and the Film Festival in the historic Cine Teatro Guarany.

4. Popular culture and traditional events

• Caruaru Fair: the largest open-air fair in the world, recognised by IPHAN as a Brazilian Intangible Heritage.
• Saint John’s Festival in Caruaru: one of the largest celebrations in the country in June.
• New Jerusalem Theatre: Considered the largest open-air theatre in the world, famous for its production of the Passion of the Christ.
• Festival Pernambuco Nação Cultural: Promoted by the state government, it tours different regions, bringing art and culture.
• Festival Virtuosi, Festival Janeiro de Grandes Espetáculos and Rec-Beat: consolidate the state as a centre of contemporary musical and artistic production.

5. Nature and Wine Tourism

The Catimbau National Park, located between Agreste and Sertão, impresses with its rock formations, gorges and archaeological sites. In Bezerros, Serra Negra has a cold climate and landscapes of rare beauty.

In the São Francisco Valley, wine production stands out, with wineries open to visitors in towns such as Petrolina and Lagoa Grande, which offer wine tourism routes along the banks of the São Francisco River.