Recife Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Tamandare showing tropical scenes and a sandy beach
Admire the fading grander of a historic old town and then explore sweeping beaches in the capital of Brazil’s Pernambuco state.

Recife, located on Brazil’s northeast coast, is a bustling port city famous for its beaches, colonial architecture and nightlife. It’s also the host of one of the most popular carnival celebrations outside of Rio de Janeiro. Often called the Venice of Brazil, Recife spreads across peninsulas and islands intersected by canals and rivers. It takes its name from the Portuguese word for reef, a reference to the reefs that shelter the city’s shoreline.

Start your visit in Old Recife (Recife Antigo), the Dutch-built historic center that sits on its own island. Marco Zero, in Praça Rio Branco, marks the spot where Portuguese settlers founded the city in 1537. Admire pastel-colored landmarks while strolling along Rua do Bom Jesus. One example is the Kahal Zur Israel Synagogue, believed to be the oldest synagogue in the Americas. Mingle in the bars and restaurants set around Praça Artur Oscar.

Cross the bridge to Sant Antonio island, another Dutch-influenced district. Here, the Capela Dourada, Concatedral of St. Peter of Clerics and Palácio da Justiça are all worth visiting. Browse exhibitions on the city’s long history at City of Recife Museum, housed in the 17th-century Fort of Five Points. Attend a classical music concert at Teatro de Santa Isabel. Stop for a drink in one of the bars at Pátio de São Pedro.

Recife has many fine beaches to enjoy in the year-round sunshine. Pina Beach is closest to the city and merges with Boa Viagem Beach, a 4-mile (7-kilometer) long coastal neighborhood. The latter has hotels, nightlife, restaurants and water sports centers. Go shopping at Recife Shopping Center and Guararapes Shopping. Further south are Piedade Beach and Candeias Beach.

Rent a car or catch shuttle buses to visit beach towns outside of the city. Just a 90-minute drive south is the glorious Porto de Galinhas. Travel north and discover the colonial-era treasures of nearby Olinda.

Reach Recife by flying to Recife International Airport. Get around the city center on foot and use public buses to reach the urban beaches. Come between February and March when the city explodes into color during the Recife Carnival.

Where to stay in Recife

Porto de Galinhas featuring general coastal views, a sandy beach and swimming

Porto de Galinhas

Travellers like the seafood restaurants in Porto de Galinhas, and Porto de Galinhas Beach is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Porto de Galinhas
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Boa Viagem

4/5(1 area review)

Visitors often come to Boa Viagem for its beaches, but many stay to explore sights like Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem Church and Praça Boa Viagem. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you take a ride at Airport Station.

Boa Viagem
Porto de Galinhas

Ipojuca Centro

If you're spending some time in Ipojuca Centro, Porto de Galinhas Beach and Porto de Galinhas Natural Pools are top sights worth seeing.

Ipojuca Centro
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Pina

Pina is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Pina Beach and Shopping RioMar.

Pina
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Boa Vista

Travellers like the theatres in Boa Vista, and Teatro Boa Vista is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Boa Vista
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Gaibu

Travellers like the beaches in Gaibu, and Gaibu Beach is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Gaibu
Rede Andrade Onda Mar
Rede Andrade Onda Mar
3 out of 5
Rua Ernesto de Paula Santos, 284 Boa Viagem, Recife, PE
The price is AU$45 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
AU$45
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Recife. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the comfy beds and the overall value in our reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (1,330 reviews)
"Super limpo e pessoal super atencioso."

Reviewed on 9 Jul. 2023

Rede Andrade Onda Mar
Rede Andrade Vela Branca
Rede Andrade Vela Branca
3 out of 5
Av. Eng. Domingos Ferreira, 4395, Recife, PE
The price is AU$49 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
AU$49
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Recife. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 24-hour room service. Popular attractions Boa Viagem Beach and USA ...
6.6/10 (286 reviews)
Just OK
"Bad breakfast"

Reviewed on 4 Aug. 2019

Rede Andrade Vela Branca
Kastel Manibu Recife - Boa Viagem
Kastel Manibu Recife - Boa Viagem
3.5 out of 5
Avenida Conselheiro Aguiar, 919, Boa Viagem, Recife, Pernambuco
The price is AU$93 per night from 29 Apr to 30 Apr
AU$93
per night
29 Apr - 30 Apr
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Recife. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a children's pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,008 reviews)
"The breakfast and staff are wonderful and gracious. As English speakers we were always able to get past language barriers"

Reviewed on 17 Aug. 2023

Kastel Manibu Recife - Boa Viagem
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Paiva Home Stay by Flatbpaiva
Paiva Home Stay by Flatbpaiva
3 out of 5
R. Padre Nestor de Alençar, 8472, Jaboatao dos Guararapes, PE
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Jaboatao dos Guararapes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Barra de Jangada Beach and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Bom mas...
"Vista do quarto panorâmico maravilhosa! Cama confortável. Só reclamo q no dia em q fiquei a piscina estava interditada e no anúncio não falava nada, fiz a reserva mais por causa da piscina... Paguei preço cheio e sem piscina."

Reviewed on 8 Mar. 2024

Paiva Home Stay by Flatbpaiva
Roomo Praia de Boa Viagem
Roomo Praia de Boa Viagem
3.5 out of 5
1228 Av. Visconde de Jequitinhonha, Boa Viagem, Recife
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Recife. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem Church and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (659 reviews)
"Roomo is great! The apartments are great and complete. You have everything you need. The staff at the hotel is very nice and breakfast is delicious. There’s much variety but what’s offered is great."

Reviewed on 14 Mar. 2024

Roomo Praia de Boa Viagem
Condomínio TOLIVE One Housi by Carpediem
Condomínio TOLIVE One Housi by Carpediem
3 out of 5
R. Gen. Joaquim Inácio 170, Recife, PE
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly condo in Recife. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and a fitness center. Popular attractions USA Consulate and Boa Viagem ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (28 reviews)
"Foi excelente, é a minha segunda vez no hotel, eu indico muito!"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Condomínio TOLIVE One Housi by Carpediem
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Recife

2
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
0
" "5 - Excellent 0%
4 - Good
0
" "4 - Good 0%
3 - Okay
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" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 100%
1 - Terrible
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" "1 - Terrible 0%

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller
20 Oct 2019

This is my home city and I haven't been there for over 8 years. It was a horrible experience. The city is decaying - graffiti everywhere, dirty, no maintenance whatsoever - unless Boa Viagem or Marco zero, the traffic is chaotic.

Cities near Recife