Recife Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Tamandare which includes a sandy beach, general coastal views and tropical scenes
Tamandare showing tropical scenes and a sandy beach
Maracaipe Beach showing surfing and a sandy beach
Maracaipe Beach which includes a sandy beach and general coastal views
Maracaipe Beach showing a sunset, a sandy beach and a coastal town

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 centre 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-kilometre) long coastal neighbourhood. The latter has hotels, nightlife, restaurants and water sports centres. Go shopping at Recife Shopping Centre 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 GalinhasOpens in a new window. Travel north and discover the colonial-era treasures of nearby Olinda.

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

Where to stay in Recife

Porto de Galinhas which includes swimming, a beach and general coastal views

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 Praça Boa Viagem and Shopping Recife. 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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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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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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Candeias

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

Candeias
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$71 per night from 14 Oct to 15 Oct
AU$71
14 Oct - 15 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Recife. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.2/10 Good! (2,392 reviews)
"Great value. Telephone was broken, and no towels. Breakfast was pretty good."

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2025

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$54 per night from 12 Oct to 13 Oct
AU$54
12 Oct - 13 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Recife. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,893 reviews)
"Double beds don’t stick together."

Reviewed on 11 Feb 2025

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
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly hotel in Recife. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,241 reviews)
"It is an excellent hotel, with everything you need, always very busy, very attentive staff, excellent breakfast and an excellent restaurant"

Reviewed on 22 Aug 2025

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.
HY Beach Flats

HY Beach Flats

3.5 out of 5
344 Avenida Boa Viagem, Recife, PE
Stay at this 3.5-star beach apartment in Recife. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Boa Viagem Beach and Pina Beach ...
8/10 Very Good! (714 reviews)
"Excellent accommodation"

Reviewed on 29 Sept 2025

HY Beach Flats
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 apartment in Recife. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Boa Viagem Beach and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (126 reviews)
"Nice pool, but I wish that the property was taken care better, very expensive"

Reviewed on 29 Mar 2025

Condomínio TOLIVE One Housi by Carpediem
Porto Alto Resort - GAV Resorts

Porto Alto Resort - GAV Resorts

3.5 out of 5
Praia de muro alto, Ipojuca, PE
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Ipojuca. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Muro Alto Beach and Porto de Galinhas Beach ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (8 reviews)
"Nice place"

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2025

Porto Alto Resort - GAV Resorts
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
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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

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.

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