Recife walking tour & city guide

Recife Antigo

The old town, on Recife Island, has colorful buildings, the Kahal Zur Israel, the oldest synagogue in the Americas, and the Marco Zero square. Rua do Bom Jesus is its most charming street.

Beaches and Olinda

Boa Viagem is a long urban beach protected by reefs. Olinda, a UNESCO-listed colonial town on a hill just north, has churches, artists' studios and a famous carnival with giant puppets.

A day in Recife

Start in Recife Antigo, the old town, with its colorful street Rua do Bom Jesus and the oldest synagogue in the Americas. Then visit the Francisco Brennand ceramic workshop.

In the afternoon, go to Olinda, a hillside colonial town with churches and artists' studios. Boa Viagem beach is Recife's main urban beach.

Good to know

Swimming at Boa Viagem is restricted because of sharks; follow the signs. Porto de Galinhas, with natural pools, is an hour away.

The Carnival in Recife and Olinda is famous for frevo and giant puppets.

Why it is called the Brazilian Venice

Recife is built on islands and peninsulas where rivers meet the sea, linked by dozens of bridges, which is why it is often compared to Venice. A boat trip on the Capibaribe River shows the city from the water, with its colonial churches, old warehouses and modern towers. The Marco Zero square, where the city was founded, is the starting point for walks in the old town and has a view of the Brennand sculpture park across the water.