Things to do in Salvador for children and teenagers

Salvador, with its rich cultural heritage and vibrant urban life, offers a wide range of tourist attractions for children and teenagers.

A playground for young explorers

From spaces dedicated to reading and science to parks and interactive museums, the city is a real playground for young explorers.

If you are planning a visit to the capital of Bahia and are looking for activities that will guarantee fun and learning for the little ones, Salvador has a variety of options to suit different interests and ages.

Places designed to stimulate curiosity

In addition to the traditional tourist attractions, the city has places specially designed to stimulate children’s curiosity and enthusiasm.

Unique educational and entertainment experiences

Every children’s tourist attraction offers a unique experience, combining education and entertainment in an engaging way. Whether exploring nature, discovering history or participating in fun activities, Salvador offers many opportunities for families to share memorable moments.

Videos of tourist attractions for children

Things to do for children in Salvador

These attractions are not only fun, but also educational, helping children to explore and learn about the world around them.

1. Monteiro Lobato Children’s Library: A space dedicated to children’s literature, with a large collection of books and cultural activities for children. Ideal for encouraging reading and imagination in young children.
2. Museu For the Children – Children’s Museum: An interactive museum with exhibitions and hands-on activities designed to educate and entertain children, stimulating curiosity and learning in a fun way.
3. Salvador Botanical Garden: A place that combines education and nature, with trails, picnic areas and an extensive collection of plants. It is a great opportunity for children to learn about flora and the importance of preserving the environment.
4. Nautical Museum: This museum explores the history of navigation and the world of boats and ships, with interactive exhibits that will fascinate children and help them understand the importance of navigation in history.
5. Rodin Palace of Arts: Although more focused on art, the Palace of Arts offers exhibitions and activities that may be of interest to children, especially those with an interest in the visual arts.
6. City Park: A large city park with play areas, green spaces for picnics and outdoor activities. A great place for children to run around and have fun.
7. Playland: An amusement park with a variety of rides and attractions that guarantee fun and entertainment for children of all ages.
8. Historic Bahia Tour: An opportunity to explore the rich history of Salvador in an engaging way, with guided tours that can include interactive and educational aspects for children.
9. Zoo: The Salvador Zoo is a place where children can see and learn about a variety of animals, promoting awareness of wildlife and conservation.
10. Bahia Museum of Modern Art: Although it is an art museum, many of its exhibitions and activities are designed to engage visitors of all ages, including children, through events and educational programmes.
11. Solar Ferrão Cultural Centre: A cultural space with activities and exhibitions designed to stimulate children’s curiosity and immerse them in local culture and history.

1. Monteiro Lobato Children’s Library

Conceived and created by Prof. Denise Fernandes Tavares, the Monteiro Lobato Children’s Library was inaugurated on 18 April 1950 and is the second library in the country dedicated exclusively to children and young people.

The library mainly promotes the introduction to reading and the education of new readers. The collection includes the complete works of the children’s writer Monteiro Lobato, as well as some of the author’s personal items and texts.

Address: Praça Almeida Couto, Nazaré.

2. Museum for Children – Museum for Children

Other good places to visit in Salvador are the Children’s Museum, a space that values culture and promotes integration through leisure activities, and the Museum of Science and Technology (MET).

With the aim of “teaching through play”, the Children’s Museum has modern equipment that interacts with visitors.

In order to entertain and educate children from 3 to 11 years old, the Children’s Museum brings together culture, science and leisure in the same space. Located in the Patamares district, the museum is housed in a building that has been completely adapted to welcome young visitors.

In the rooms of the mansion you will find

• Dinosaur replicas
• Bottles that make bubbles
• Bubble room
• Tortoise farm
• The library
• Tree with small house

Of particular interest is the room that simulates a market, complete with fruit and vegetables, cash registers, counterfeit money, baskets and scales.

Outside, in the garden, children can venture out:

• Giant spinning wheels (for climbing and spinning)
• Spider Web
• Balance Sheets
• Water mattress (for resting)

Everything is at the children’s disposal and they are free to move around and touch anything they like. Among the toys are a giant chessboard and a earthquake simulator, which not only entertain but also teach important concepts.

Address: Rua do Mangalô, 154, Colina A.

3. Salvador Botanical Garden

The Botanic Garden of Salvador was created on 22 March 2002.

The result of the transformation of the former Horto da Mata dos Oitis into a botanical garden, the area covers 17 hectares and brings together various species, including

• Oiti-da-Bahia
• Bahia Rosewood
• Species associated with Candomblé
• Other species endemic to the Atlantic Forest biome

In addition, the garden is home to more than 60,000 plants from different biotypes, such as

• Atlantic Forest
• The Amazon
• Closed
• Caatinga
• Restinga
• Manguezal

Address: Avenida São Rafael, s/n, São Marcos.

4. Nautical Museum

The Nautical Museum, located in the Barra Lighthouse, is an excellent destination for young explorers.

This museum has a series of replicas of boats and caravels, which tell the story of the ships that sank off the coast of Bahia in a fun and illustrated way.

During the visit, children have the opportunity to learn about

• Hydrography
• Nautical Signalling
• Cartography

Address: Largo do Farol da Barra, s/n – Forte Santo Antônio da Barra – Barra

Also visit the Museums of Salvador that show the history of Bahia.

5. Rodin Palace of Arts

The Rodin Bahia Palace of Arts is a must see for art lovers in Salvador.

This historic mansion houses

• Temporary exhibitions of various modern and contemporary artists.
• A permanent exhibition of 62 plaster casts by Auguste Rodin.

In addition to the exhibitions, the space offers a cultural programme including

• Courses
• Offices
• Events for scholars and art lovers

Rua da Graça, 289 – Graça, Salvador – BA

History of the Rodin Bahia Art Palace

The Palacete do Comendador Bernardo Martins Catharino, also known as the Villa Catharino, was inaugurated in 1912. Designed by the architect Rossi Baptista and decorated by Oreste Sercelli, it is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Salvador.

In 1986, the building was declared a National Heritage Site by the Bahia Institute of Artistic and Cultural Heritage (IPAC). In 2003, it was chosen to house the Rodin Bahia Palace of Arts, due to its similarity to the Hotel Biron, which houses the Rodin Museum in Paris.

Currently, the mansion consists of

• Mansion
• Contemporary Room
• Souvenir Shop
• Coffee Bar
• Jardim

6. City Park

The Joventino Silva City Park, popularly known as the City Park, was created in 1973, renovated in 2001 and again in 2014, and reopened in June 2016.

The park has about 720,000 square metres of green space and is a place for the conservation of the Atlantic Forest, the original vegetation of the Brazilian coast. It is also the only place in the city where the Atlantic Forest gives way to dunes, allowing for the presence of diverse species of flora and fauna.

Among the attractions of the New Park are

• Skate park
• Bike Path
• Cooper’s Track
• Sports Courts
• Gym Equipment
• Children’s Playground
• Meditation Square
• Chess Set
• Capoeira Game
• Slackline circuit
• Minibike circuit
• Bosques
• Amphitheatre
• Car Park

Address: Rua Antonio Carlos Magalhães, s/n

7. Playland

Located in Shopping Iguatemi, Playland offers a variety of electronic toys and attractions that appeal to both children and teenagers.

It is a guaranteed place for fun and entertainment, with a variety of games and interactive activities.

Address: Avenida Tancredo Neves, 148, Shopping Iguatemi

8. Historical Bahia Tour

The Historic City Tour in Salvador is a delightful 4-hour tour of the city of Salvador da Bahia, Brazil’s first capital. This tour offers an immersion into the rich local culture, influenced by African peoples who have left a remarkable legacy in music, food and religion.

During the tour you will have the opportunity to explore Pelourinho, the heart of the city’s historic centre, a World Heritage Site. This place stands out as one of the main points of the tour, revealing all the strength and vitality of Bahian culture.

See Main Tourist Attractions in Pelourinho.

9. The Zoo

Opened in 1958 under the name of Zoobotânico Getúlio Vargas, the Salvador Zoo is a recreational and ecological refuge located in the centre of Salvador. With a green area of approximately 250,000 square metres, the zoo incorporates remnants of the Atlantic Forest and is reserved for the exhibition of wild animals.

Attractions and species

• 152 species of animals, including 141 of Brazilian fauna and 11 of exotic animals.
• The zoo is home to 1,225 animals, distributed among
• 86 species of birds
• 38 species of mammals
• 28 reptile species

Functions and activities

Salvador Zoo is a leading centre for the study of fauna and flora. In addition to its exhibitions, the Zoo organises activities such as

• Conservation and reproduction
• Conservation and enhancement of the Atlantic Forest fragment
• Landscaping and venue design
• Environmental Education

Address: Rua Alto de Ondina, s/n

10. Bahia Museum of Modern Art

One of the most beautiful architectural complexes on the shore of the Bay of Todos-os-Santos, the Solar do Unhão, houses the Museum of Modern Art of Bahia, which houses more than two thousand works by famous Brazilian painters such as Di Cavalcanti, Portinari and Tarsila do Amaral.

1. The history

• Construction: The manor house was built in stone in the 17th century as the residence of Judge Pedro Unhão Castelo Branco.
• Original structure: The original complex consisted of a large house, slave quarters, a chapel, a warehouse and a wharf.

2. Changes and current events

• Commercial adaptation: Over the years the mansion has been adapted for commercial purposes.
• Renovation and Museum: In 1962, the mansion was renovated and transformed into the Museum of Modern Art of Bahia.
• Sculpture Park: The manor’s garden has been transformed into the Sculpture Park, with works by artists such as Caribé and Mário Cravo.

Address: Avenida do Contorno, s/n, Graça

11. Solar Ferrão Cultural Centre

The Solar Ferrão Cultural Centre is an important space for art, culture and memory, located in one of the most important monuments of the Historic Centre of Salvador.

Its history

• Listing: The mansion was listed by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN) in 1938.
• Construction: Built between the late 17th and early 18th centuries, it has a remarkable six-storey architecture.

Attractions and collections

1. Ferrão Solar Gallery

Exhibition of contemporary art and cultural events.

2. Abelardo Rodrigues Museum

It houses a diverse collection of art and cultural artefacts.

3. Special collections

• African Art Claudio Masella: African art exhibitions.
• Folk Art: Folk art and crafts.
• Plásticas Sonoras by Walter Smetak: Works of art that explore the relationship between sound and form.
• Traditional Musical Instruments Emília Biancardi: Collection of traditional musical instruments.

Address: Largo do Pelourinho, s/n, Pelourinho

Attractions for families with children in Salvador, Bahia

Bahia.ws is the largest tourist guide for Bahia and Salvador.

This post is also on: