Pelourinho: what to do in Salvador’s Historic Centre

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A practical guide to things to do in Pelourinho: Baroque churches, museums, squares, a suggested itinerary and tips for making the most of Salvador’s Historic Centre.

Pelourinho em Salvador da Bahia — Pelourinho, Salvador — things to do: colonial mansions

Why visit — Pelourinho: what to do

Looking for “Things to do in Pelourinho”? The neighbourhood is home to colourful streets, Baroque churches, themed museums and historic squares. It’s the best place to experience colonial architecture, Afro-Brazilian heritage and Bahian cuisine.

Main tourist attractions

Barra e Pelourinho02:33

Largo do Cruzeiro de São Francisco02:11

Pelourinho02:19

Olodum no Pelourinho - Michael Jackson04:41

Igreja de São Pedro dos Clérigos02:13

O melhor do Pelourinho em Salvador10:24

Catedral Basílica de Salvador BA01:47

Museu da Ordem Terceira de São Francisco em Salvador09:56

Igreja de São Francisco - Caverna de Ouro08:59

Igreja e Convento de São Francisco em Salvador09:07

Igreja e Convento de São Francisco - Igreja de Ouro09:10

Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos em Salvador

Fundação Casa de Jorge Amado em Salvador BA12:46

Solar Ferrão em Salvador BA01:14

Terreiro de Jesus — starting point: the Cathedral Basilica and neighbouring churches.
Salvador Cathedral Basilica — Baroque art and the Cathedral Museum.
Church and Convent of São Francisco — gilded woodcarvings and azulejos.
Church of the Third Order / São Pedro dos Clérigos — Rococo/Neoclassical transition.
Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of the Black People — Afro-Brazilian heritage and history.
Church of the Blessed Sacrament (Rua do Passo) — historic staircase and panoramic view.
Jorge Amado House Foundation — literary collection.
City Museum — popular culture and votive offerings.
Tempostal Museum — a collection of approximately 45,000 postcards.
Casa do Benin Museum — cultural dialogue between Bahia and Benin.
Solar do Ferrão / Abelardo Rodrigues Museum — religious art.
Former Faculty of Medicine — MAFRO, MAE and the Medical Memorial.
Museum of Bahian Gastronomy (MGBA) — the history of traditional dishes.
Largo Cruzeiro de São Francisco — a historic square forming part of the Terreiro de Jesus.

Suggested itinerary

Midday

Morning: Terreiro de Jesus → Cathedral → Church and Convent of São Francisco → lunch in Pelourinho.

1 day

Morning: itinerary as above. Afternoon: Jorge Amado Foundation → City Museum → Tempostal Museum → stroll through squares and studios. Finish at Largo Cruzeiro de São Francisco at dusk.

Practical tips

Safety: choose daytime hours and busy areas; avoid displaying valuables.
Accessibility: plenty of slopes and steps — wear comfortable shoes and check access for people with reduced mobility.
Opening hours: Please check the opening hours and days of museums and churches before your visit.
Guides: hiring a local guide enhances your understanding of the history and culture.
Food: try acarajé and traditional dishes at recommended venues.

Photo Gallery

Terreiro de Jesus em Salvador — Terreiro de Jesus in Salvador

Catedral Basílica em Salvador — Terreiro de Jesus — Cathedral Basilica in Salvador

Igreja de São Pedro dos Clérigos em Salvador — Church of São Pedro dos Clérigos in Salvador

Igreja da Ordem Terceira de São Domingos em Salvador — Church of the Third Order of St Dominic in Salvador

Igreja e Convento de São Francisco, Pelourinho — Salvador — Church and Convent of São Francisco, Pelourinho — Salvador

Interior da Igreja e Convento de São Francisco — talha e azulejos — Interior of the Church and Convent of São Francisco — woodcarvings and tiles

Cruzeiro de São Francisco em Salvador — San Francisco Cruise in Salvador

Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos em Salvador — Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of the Black People in Salvador

Igreja do Santíssimo Sacramento da Rua do Passo em Salvador — Church of the Blessed Sacrament on Rua do Passo in Salvador

Fundação Casa de Jorge Amado em Salvador — Jorge Amado House Foundation in Salvador

Museu da Cidade em Salvador BA — City Museum in Salvador, Bahia

Museu Tempostal em Salvador — Tempostal Museum in Salvador

Museu Abelardo Rodrigues em Salvador — Abelardo Rodrigues Museum in Salvador

Antiga Faculdade de Medicina de Salvador — Former Faculty of Medicine of Salvador

Museu da Gastronomia Baiana em Salvador — Museum of Bahian Gastronomy in Salvador

Largo Cruzeiro de Sao Francisco em Salvador — Largo Cruzeiro de São Francisco in Salvador

Useful links

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 →

Published on 15/05/2026 · Updated on 30/05/2026