Recife Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

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

3.5/5(5 area reviews)

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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Gaibu

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

Gaibu
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Boa Vista

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

Boa Vista
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Pina

5/5(1 area review)

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

Pina
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 ₹2,381 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
₹2,381
₹2,500 total
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Recife. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (1,932 reviews)
"Great value. Highly recommended."

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2025

Rede Andrade Onda Mar
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 ₹3,510 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
₹3,510
₹3,685 total
includes taxes & fees
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly hotel in Recife. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,012 reviews)
"Friendly staff. We always still there when we go to Brazil. Easy access to the beach. Hotel has great buffet breakfast and the pool area is pretty cool."

Reviewed on 20 Mar 2025

Kastel Manibu Recife - Boa Viagem
Rede Andrade Vela Branca
Rede Andrade Vela Branca
3 out of 5
Av. Eng. Domingos Ferreira, 4395, Recife, PE
The price is ₹1,941 per night from 26 Mar to 27 Mar
₹1,941
₹2,242 total
includes taxes & fees
26 Mar - 27 Mar
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Recife. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,420 reviews)
"Double beds don’t stick together."

Reviewed on 11 Feb 2025

Rede Andrade Vela Branca
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.
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 Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Boa Viagem Beach and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (86 reviews)
"A unidade corresponde exatamente ao anúncio, tudo muito organizado e confortável."

Reviewed on 12 Feb 2025

Condomínio TOLIVE One Housi by Carpediem
Porto Alto Resort - GAV Resorts
Porto Alto Resort - GAV Resorts
2.5 out of 5
Praia de muro alto, Ipojuca, PE
Stay at this beach condo in Ipojuca. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Muro Alto Beach and Porto de Galinhas Beach are located ...
Porto Alto Resort - GAV Resorts
Roomo Praia de Boa Viagem Residencial
Roomo Praia de Boa Viagem Residencial
3.5 out of 5
1228 Av. Visconde de Jequitinhonha, Boa Viagem, Recife
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Recife. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (705 reviews)
Apto mto bom
"Apartamento muito bom, espaçoso, bem localizado, fácil checkin , muito agradavel"

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2025

Roomo Praia de Boa Viagem Residencial
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

Reviews of Recife

4.3
Top destination
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5 - Excellent 33%
4 - Good
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4 - Good 67%
3 - Okay
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2 - Disappointing
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1 - Terrible
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Cities near Recife