Visitors find Recife irresistible, especially for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and beaches.
Having been built around its beaches, Recife is home to one of the world's best urban beaches, Boa Viagem Beach. Blanketed in white sands, this beach is lined with 8 kilometers of hotels and restaurants as well as a beach road and walkway dotted with food and drink stands and other vendors selling beach necessities. The waters offshore from the beach are, however, known for sharks so swimming is not always recommended. Other beach options include Brasilia Teimosa Beach, which is smaller and less crowded located near the port, and Pina Beach, which is well-developed and popular just north of the main beach.
As far as historic sights go, one of the best known is Kahal Zur Israel Synagogue, which was built in the first half of the 17th century by Jews who settled during Dutch occupation. The structure was restored to its original form in the early 2000s and today serves as a museum and cultural archive as well as an active place of worship for the Jewish faith. As far as other religious landmarks go, the most important church of the city is the Church of São Salvador do Mundo, which was built by the Dutch in the early 16th century as a Catholic church. Another popular site is the Convento Franciscano de Santo Antonio (Franciscan Convent of Saint Anthony), known for its extravagant gold-covered engravings and elaborate ceiling paintings.
In addition to beaches and historical sight-seeing, Recife also has opportunities for experiencing the modern culture of the city. The Caixa Cultural Recife, for example, is a modern venue for exhibitions, shows, cinema, and recitals. Other events, workshops, and lectures for both children and adults are also held here. Another neat venue for modern art is the Parque de Esculturas de Francisco Brennand where visitors can observe 90 exhibits of varying sculptures by plastics artist Francisco Brennand, all installed on a harbor dock. A museum and workshop of the artist can also be visited at the Museu-Oficina Francisco Brennand. Other museums throughout the city cover topics including natural history, archaeology, abolition, military, trains, and other aspects of local history.
Additional opportunities for entertainment include a zoo, botanical gardens, Mirabilandia theme park, tours of all kinds (both offshore and on the mainland), an annual Carnival festival with music and dancing, and much more.
Museums and Attractions:
Recife is famous for its world-class museums and historic sites. The city is large and cultural, so there are a number of museums that you can explore. Some of the favorites include the Instituto Ricardo Brennand, the Jewish Museum and Cultural Center, the State of Pernambuco Museum, and the Recife City Museum.
Beaches:
A large number of tourists find their way to Recife for its beautiful beaches. The city's beaches are clean and enjoyable to visit and one of the most famous is Praia de Boa Viagem. Some beaches are lined with hotels and nightclubs while others are a bit more removed. If you decide to swim, do take note that shark attacks in the area are a real concern.
Shopping:
Shopping here is something you definitely shouldn't overlook. The city has many local shops, art galleries, and larger shopping centers. Whether you're looking for clothing or a cultural souvenir, there are many places to browse.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Recife. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Olinda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour for $8 details
- Olinda City Tour and Instituto Ricardo Brennand for $94 details
- City Tour Recife with Catamaran included for $150 details