São Francisco Valley, Brazil: map, towns and wine route

Published on December 31, 2012 · Updated on November 4, 2026

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The São Francisco Valley is the region bathed by the rio São Francisco and its tributaries, in the heart of Brazil’s northeastern sertão (backlands). In tourism, however, the name usually refers to the hub of Petrolina (PE) and Juazeiro (BA), famous for its irrigated fruit, tropical wines and river islands. So, in this guide, you will see where the São Francisco Valley is, the map, the main cities and what to do.

Quick summary – São Francisco Valley

The river: it rises in the Serra da Canastra (MG) and then flows about 2,800 km to the sea, between Alagoas and Sergipe.
States: Minas Gerais, Bahia, Pernambuco, Alagoas and Sergipe.
Tourist hub: Petrolina (PE) and Juazeiro (BA), neighboring cities separated by the river.
Highlights: wineries, the Vapor do Vinho, river islands, Paulo Afonso, the Cânion do Xingó and Bom Jesus da Lapa.
Getting there: via Aeroporto Senador Nilo Coelho, in Petrolina.

The rio São Francisco and the sertão, main attractions of the São Francisco Valley — Tourist attractions of the São Francisco Valley

Where is the São Francisco Valley

The rio São Francisco, the Velho Chico (“Old Chico”), rises in Minas Gerais, crosses Bahia from south to north, passes through Pernambuco and then flows into the Atlantic, on the border between Alagoas and Sergipe. According to tradition, its mouth was named on October 4, 1501, the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, during a Portuguese expedition with Amerigo Vespucci.

Thus, the “São Francisco Valley” can mean the entire river basin. However, in tourism and the economy, the name refers above all to the Submédio São Francisco, around Petrolina and Juazeiro, where the irrigated fruit-growing hub is located.

Map of the rio São Francisco basin from Minas Gerais to the river mouth — Map of the rio São Francisco basin

Map of the São Francisco Valley

First of all, heading downstream from Bahia, you find Bom Jesus da Lapa, the Lago de Sobradinho, Juazeiro and Petrolina and, later, Paulo Afonso and the Cânion do Xingó, already close to the mouth. In addition, to the west, the rio Grande leads to Barreiras and São Desidério.

See the Caminhos do Oeste map

Map of the São Francisco Valley with the cities of Bahia and Pernambuco — Map of the rio São Francisco and its cities

What to do in the São Francisco Valley

The region has rivers, rapids, caves, waterfalls, archaeological sites and rock walls in the middle of the caatinga and the cerrado. Therefore, it appeals to those who want to escape conventional itineraries.

Wine tourism: for example, visits and tastings at the wineries of Casa Nova (BA) and Lagoa Grande (PE).
Boat trips: river islands, river beaches and the Vapor do Vinho.
Adventure: rafting, rappelling, trails and caves, especially in western Bahia and in Paulo Afonso.
Faith and culture: pilgrimages to Bom Jesus da Lapa, leather and straw handicrafts, as well as festas juninas (June festivals).
Gastronomy: finally, bode assado (roast goat), carne de sol (sun-dried salted beef) and river fish such as surubim (a large catfish).

Cities of the São Francisco Valley

Rio São Francisco - Reportagem06:00

Rio São Francisco - Reportagem Completa

Juazeiro é às margens do Rio São Francisco na Bahia

Rio São Francisco é repleto de belezas16:50

Juazeiro (BA)

Juazeiro, in northern Bahia, has 237,821 inhabitants (IBGE, 2022 Census). Moreover, it is a modern city, with a riverside waterfront from which you can see Petrolina and the sunset.

Juazeiro waterfront, in Bahia, on the banks of the rio São Francisco — Juazeiro, in Bahia

Juazeiro waterfront: a promenade with bars and views of the river.
Mercado do Produtor: it is also one of the largest fruit markets in the country.
River islands: freshwater beaches in the middle of the river, with boat trips.

Petrolina (PE)

On the other side of the bridge, Petrolina has 386,791 inhabitants (IBGE, 2022 Census) and is the base for tourism in the region. In fact, tours to the wineries and the islands depart from there.

Ilha do Rodeadouro and Ilha do Massangano: river beaches; in addition, Massangano is home to the traditional samba de véio (literally “old man’s samba”).
Museu do Sertão: on the other hand, it showcases the culture and history of the northeastern sertão.
Petrolina Cathedral: a neo-Gothic church in the city center.

Paulo Afonso (BA)

Paulo Afonso, with 112,870 inhabitants (IBGE, 2022 Census), grew out of a settlement on the sesmaria (colonial land grant) of Paulo Viveiros Afonso in the 18th century. In 1913, in turn, Delmiro Gouveia built the Angiquinho plant nearby, one of the first hydroelectric plants in the Northeast.

Paulo Afonso hydroelectric complex on the rio São Francisco — Paulo Afonso hydroelectric complex

Today, then, the city is home to the large Paulo Afonso Hydroelectric Complex and the river canyon, with catamaran tours and water sports. The old Paulo Afonso Waterfall, however, only flows again when the floodgates are opened, in flood years. Further downstream, you will find the Cânion do Xingó.

View of the city of Paulo Afonso, in northern Bahia — City of Paulo Afonso

Bom Jesus da Lapa (BA)

On the middle São Francisco, Bom Jesus da Lapa is the “Bahian Capital of Faith”. After all, the sanctuary lies inside caves in a limestone hill that stands out on the plain.

Bom Jesus da Lapa sanctuary in the caves of the hill, on the banks of the rio São Francisco — Bom Jesus da Lapa sanctuary

The peak pilgrimage season runs from July to September. As a result, the city welcomes hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, especially on August 6, the feast of Bom Jesus.

Barreiras and São Desidério (western Bahia)

To the west, on the banks of the rio Grande, a tributary of the São Francisco, lies Barreiras, the region’s main economic hub. In the surrounding area, moreover, there are archaeological sites, waterfalls, rock walls for rappelling, rapids and caves.

City of Barreiras on the banks of the rio Grande, in western Bahia — Barreiras, in western Bahia

Nearby, São Desidério, about 900 km from Salvador, attracts nature and adventure lovers with its caves, lagoons and trails.

Wine Route in the São Francisco Valley

In fact, wine production is concentrated on the Petrolina–Juazeiro axis. Thus, tours depart from Petrolina to the wineries of Lagoa Grande and Santa Maria da Boa Vista, in Pernambuco, and of Casa Nova, in Bahia. See also the history of grapes and wines in the São Francisco Valley.

Irrigated vineyards on the banks of the rio São Francisco — Basin of the rio São Francisco

Fun facts about tropical wines

Typical grapes: above all, Syrah, Tempranillo and Moscato.
Two harvests a year: with sun all year round and irrigation, the vines produce more than once a year, unlike in most of the world.
Vineyards in different stages: on the same day, you can see dormancy, pruning, budding and harvest.
Fruit: in addition, the Valley is Brazil’s main exporting hub for mangoes and table grapes.

Travel tips

Getting there: Aeroporto Senador Nilo Coelho, in Petrolina, is the main gateway; from there, rent a car or use transfers.
Best time: in general, from May to September, which is drier and slightly less hot. Between December and April, on the other hand, it rains more, and the caatinga turns green.
Accommodation: finally, there are hotels in Petrolina and Juazeiro and rustic pousadas (inns) in the countryside.

Frequently asked questions about the São Francisco Valley

Where is the São Francisco Valley?

In the northeastern sertão, along the rio São Francisco; for tourism, mainly in Petrolina (PE) and Juazeiro (BA).

Thus, the region lies on the border between Bahia and Pernambuco.

What are the cities of the São Francisco Valley?

In general, the main ones are Juazeiro, Petrolina, Casa Nova, Lagoa Grande, Santa Maria da Boa Vista and Sobradinho.

Besides these, Paulo Afonso and Bom Jesus da Lapa also lie on the banks of the river.

Why does the São Francisco Valley produce wine?

Because of the strong sun all year round and irrigation with water from the river.

As a result, the vines yield two harvests a year.

What is the airport of the São Francisco Valley?

It is Aeroporto Senador Nilo Coelho, that is, the airport of Petrolina (PE).

From there, Juazeiro is right across the river.

When is the best time to visit the São Francisco Valley?

In general, from May to September, when there is little rain.

However, the grape harvest takes place in several months of the year.

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →