Rio, São Paulo and Bahia

Who it is for

For visitors who want Brazil's beaches, its megacity and its Afro-Brazilian history in two weeks.

Not for anyone who wants a beach-only trip, since São Paulo is city and museum.

The strategy

Rio comes first and takes four days; Sao Paulo sits in the middle, with museums and neighborhoods. Salvador closes the trip with the Historic Center and the Cidade Baixa.

What you will see

• Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro. Sugarloaf, at 396 m, stands at the entrance to Guanabara Bay.
• MASP, São Paulo. The São Paulo Museum of Art was founded in 1947 by Assis Chateaubriand and Pietro Maria Bardi.
• Lacerda Elevator, Salvador. Elevador Lacerda connects Praça Municipal in the upper city with Praça Cairu beside the port, across a 72 m height difference.

Day by day

Rio de Janeiro

1. 1
   Day 1: Beach, Sugarloaf and sunset

   1. 1Sugarloaf MountainEssential
2. 2
   Day 2: Forest, Christ, and cobblestone streets

   
3. 3
   Day 3: Centro, Pequena África and an afternoon choice

   1. MaracanãWorth a visit
4. 4
   Day 4: Leblon, Barra and the Dona Marta lookout

São Paulo

1. 5
   Day 5: The founding center and its architecture

   1. 3Pátio do Colégio, Sé and São BentoEssential
   2. 7Mercado MunicipalUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   3. 6Estação da Luz and the Portuguese Language MuseumWorth a visit
2. 6
   Day 6: Paulista, Ibirapuera and the 20th-century city

   1. 1MASPEssential
   2. 4Avenida PaulistaUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   3. 2Ibirapuera ParkEssential
3. 7
   Day 7: Immigrant neighborhoods and creative periphery · if you have more time

   1. Museu do IpirangaIf there is time

Salvador

1. 8
   Day 8: Cidade Alta and the Historic Center

   1. 1Lacerda ElevatorUp to half an hourEssential
   2. Museu de Arte SacraYou can skip it
2. 9
   Day 9: Bonfim, the bay, and Cidade Baixa

   1. 3Igreja do Senhor do BonfimEssential
   2. 7Mercado ModeloUp to half an hourIf there is time
   3. 8Solar do Unhão and MAM-BAIf there is time
   4. 6Dique do TororóWorth a visit
3. 10
   Day 10: Barra, the shore, and Rio Vermelho · if you have more time

   1. 5Forte de Santo Antônio da Barra and Barra LighthouseWorth a visit