Recife & Olinda City Tour: Unveiling the Charm of Two Cities
Explore some of the first areas of Brazil to be settled by the Portuguese on a full-day tour of colonial Recife and Olinda, home to Brazil's most popular Carnival. Also visit harmonious churches.
Highlights
- Visit Recife’s three sectors: Recife, Santo Antônio, and Boa Vista
- Tour Olinda’s city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Explore Boa Viagem Beach and São Bento Monastery
- Enjoy panoramic views from Olinda’s 16th-century Alto da Sé Cathedral
- Spot Olinda’s traditional puppets used in Brazil’s popular Carnival
Description
This full-day tour covers the major sights of Recife and Olinda, two of Brazil’s earliest Portuguese colonial settlements from the 16th century. A professional guide is available in Spanish, Portuguese, or privately in English.
In Recife, explore all three city sectors, including Santo Antônio and Boa Vista, with Atlantic Ocean views. See landmarks such as the Maurício de Nassau Bridge and Republic Square, featuring the Governor's Palace and the neo-classical Santa Isabel Theatre. Visit Casa da Cultura, a former prison now hosting local craft shops and regional restaurants.
In Olinda, experience one of Brazil's best-preserved colonial towns. Visit the UNESCO-listed downtown area, witness music rehearsals and the traditional papier-mâché Carnival puppets, and tour the Misericórdia Church and the Alto da Sé Cathedral, which offers panoramic views over the city.
Includes
- Round-trip transfer from most hotels in the Boa Viagem neighborhood
- Professional tour guide
Excludes
- Food and beverages
- Entrance fee to Embaixada dos Bonecos (approximately USD 3)
- Catamaran tour (R$25)
- Dolls Embassy Entrance (R$15)
- Tickets to Embassy of Pernambuco (R$15)
- Museum and church entrance fees
- Gratuities
- Round-trip transfer from Old Recife, Ilha do Leite, or Olinda hotels
Important Information
- Pick-up location and time will be confirmed upon reconfirmation, with bookings required at least 24 hours in advance
- Departure time is determined upon reconfirmation
- Participants not joining the catamaran tour will return to Marco Zero by bus
- Visitors opting out of embassy visits can wait comfortably in the Navy Arsenal square
- Prices may change without notice; optional activities must be paid in Brazilian real
- Medium and large vehicles are prohibited in Olinda’s historical centre; some tour parts are on foot
- Wear light clothing, comfortable shoes, and sunscreen
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund.
