Recife

Travel Guide

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

Porto de Galinhas

Travelers 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

Take time in Boa Viagem to visit attractions like Praça Boa Viagem and Shopping Recife. You might also appreciate the beaches, and you can hop on the metro at Airport Station to see more of the city.

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
Mangue Town, Pina, Recife, PE, Brazil.

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

Travelers like the theaters in Boa Vista, and Parque Theater is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Boa Vista
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Candeias

Travelers 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 P1,851 per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
P1,851
P1,944 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
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! (2,131 reviews)
"Great value. Telephone was broken, and no towels. Breakfast was pretty good."

Reviewed on Mar 24, 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 P1,566 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
P1,566
P1,801 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Recife. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,641 reviews)
"Double beds don’t stick together."

Reviewed on Feb 11, 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! (1,109 reviews)
"Beautiful place"

Reviewed on Mar 28, 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.
Beach Class Muro Alto Resort - New Time
Beach Class Muro Alto Resort - New Time
4 out of 5
Gleba Merepe C, Ipojuca, PE
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Ipojuca. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Muro Alto Beach and Porto de Galinhas Beach ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (76 reviews)
"O condomínio em si é maravilhoso, tem recreação o dia todo pras crianças, academia, sala de jogos. A praia é perfeita! O único ponto que deixo avisado é que não há nenhuma panela no flat, nem pra esquentar uma água 😬 tivemos que comprar. Fora isso, tudo ótimo!"

Reviewed on Jun 25, 2025

Beach Class Muro Alto Resort - New Time
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! (651 reviews)
Great cost-Benefit!
"It was a very nice stay! Staff is welcoming and somewhat helpful! Room was clean and had a nice view."

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2025

HY Beach Flats
Conforto e Praticidade Alto padrao
Conforto e Praticidade Alto padrao
2.5 out of 5
R. Dr. Pedro de Melo Cahú, 201, Recife, PE
Stay at this aparthotel in Recife. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Boa Viagem Beach and Third Garden of Boa Viagem ...
Conforto e Praticidade Alto padrao
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.

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