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Discover the interior of Pernambuco: Cities like Gravatá and Petrolina await you

The interior of Pernambuco offers a variety of tourist destinations for those who want to explore the adventure, commerce and history of the state.

Getting to know the Northeast in the summer is a tradition for many Brazilians, but beyond the famous beaches and carnival.

The Interior of Pernambuco offers lesser known but equally attractive options, including adventure, gastronomy and even wine tourism, from the coast to the sertão.

Tourist Routes in the Interior of Pernambuco

1. Catimbau National Park – History and adventure in the Catimbau Valley
2. Gravatá – Tranquillity and gastronomy in Agreste Pernambucano
3. Caruaru, Toritama, Santa Cruz do Capibaribe – The jeans route and local delicacies
4. Petrolina – The charm of the Sertão and wine production
5. Bezerros – The Papangu Festival and local handicrafts

1. Catimbau National Park

History and adventure in the Catimbau Valley

The Catimbau National Park is one of the main destinations for lovers of adventure tourism.

Covering more than 62,000 hectares of hills and rocks, this park is located 182 kilometres from Recife. It is surrounded by caatinga, the typical vegetation of the Brazilian Sertão.

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Vale do Catimbau em Pernambuco

The park has several trails of varying degrees of difficulty, as well as archaeological sites such as historic cemeteries and cave paintings dating back more than six thousand years.

Access to the park is free, but it is recommended to hire a tour guide from the Buíque Tourist Guide Association, located just 11 kilometres from the park and about 300 kilometres from Recife.

2. Gravatá

Tranquillity and gastronomy in Agreste Pernambucano

The municipality of Gravatá is an excellent option for those seeking Peace and a distinctive Cuisine.

Less than 100 kilometres from the capital, Gravatá is famous for its hotel structure, which includes several farmhouse-style lodges.

The town is also surrounded by ecological trails, which offer a real contact with nature.

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Gravatá em Pernambuco05:12

O que fazer em GRAVATÁ PE

A curious aspect for visitors is its mountain climate, which is colder than the rest of the state, with temperatures reaching 10 degrees at dawn.

See the article Gravatá’s Tourist Spots in Agreste Pernambucano.

3. Shopping and gastronomy in the Agreste area

The jeans route and local delicacies: Caruaru, Torítama and Santa Cruz do Capibaribe.

The Agreste region is also a centre for shopping and gastronomy.

Known as the “Jeans Route”, the stretch that includes the towns of Caruaru, Torítama and Santa Cruz do Capibaribe is famous for the production of clothing at affordable prices.

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Caruaru - Pontos Turísticos

As well as clothing, the region is famous for producing cheeses such as coalho and butter and has a rich gastronomy.

The Parque das Feiras in Toritama and the Feira de Caruaru are essential stops for tourists.

The journey from Recife to Caruaru takes about 2.5 hours on the BR-232, making it easy to reach these cities in the interior of Pernambuco.

4. Petrolina

The charm of the Sertão and wine production

Located in the Sertão region of Pernambuco, on the border with Bahia, Petrolina is bathed by the São Francisco River and is known for its islands offering leisure activities and a unique gastronomy.

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Pontos turisticos mais visitados de Petrolina

One of the city’s major attractions is its wine production, with seven wineries in the region surprising visitors who might think that the semi-arid climate of inland Pernambuco wouldn’t be suitable for viticulture.

Guided tours allow you to learn about the wine making process and taste exclusive labels.

To get to Petrolina, we recommend flying from Recife, which takes about 1h20, or driving, which can take up to 9h30 on the BR-232 and BR-438 highways.

See Tourist and travel guide to Petrolina in Pernambuco.

5. Calves

The Papangu Festival and local handicrafts

The city of Bezerros, in the interior of Pernambuco, is known for its famous Papangu Festival, which takes place during Carnival and celebrates the local culture with parades and colourful costumes.

The town is also renowned for its handicrafts, especially the clay dolls that are a tradition in the region. The town is also a good starting point for exploring the natural beauty of the Serra dos Bredos.

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Serra Negra de Bezerros PE

O que fazer em Bezerros PE

Tourism in the Serra Negra, also known as the Serra dos Bredos, in Bezerros, Pernambuco, is characterised by its rich biodiversity and beautiful landscapes.

This destination attracts nature lovers who want to explore trails, viewpoints and waterfalls. The mountains provide an ideal environment for ecotourism, allowing visitors to interact with the local flora and fauna.

See the Tourism and Travel Guide for Petrolina in Pernambuco

Tourist routes to visit the interior of Pernambuco

Tourist Guide to Pernambuco and the Northeast

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 27/05/2020 · Updated on 03/06/2025

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