Private Full-Day Tour - Salvador's Lower & Upper City
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 54 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Full-Day Tour - Salvador's Lower & Upper City worth booking?
Private Full-Day Tour - Salvador's Lower & Upper City is a 7-hour experience in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, from $130 per person. It scores 82 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 54 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 82 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (54)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $130 per person
This full-day adventure will allow you to enjoy both the magnificent panoramic views Salvador offers, as well as discover its rich history, extraordinary architecture, and dynamic culture, result of the blend of Portugue
What you get
About this experience
This full-day adventure will allow you to enjoy both the magnificent panoramic views Salvador offers, as well as discover its rich history, extraordinary architecture, and dynamic culture, result of the blend of Portuguese, African and Indigenous people. We will see the city from different angles, discovering the Lower City, with its bucolic interior atmosphere, around the calm waters of the All Saints Bay, and continuing to the tip of the Itapagipe Peninsula, the extreme west part of Salvador, and then the Upper City with its Historic Center – the cradle of our city’s history.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Tour guide service
Not included
- Lunch
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tickets to the Basilica Cathedral
What you'll see and do
Farol da Barra
Our journey will start at the Farol da Barra, where we will enjoy the spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean and the entrance to the bay.
20 minutes here
Dique de Tororo
We will then head to Dique do Tororó, where we will appreciate the famous sculptures of the Orixás – African Dieties by the artist Tati Moreno, which reflect the African influence in the everyday lives of Bahians, and we will see the soccer stadium, Arena Fonte Nova.
20 minutes here
While making our way down to the Lower City, we will drive through Salvador’s old financial center and the Port of Salvador towards Ribeira district.
Pass by without stopping
We will have a chance to stop at the city’s most traditional ice cream shop, Sorveteria da Ribeira, where we will have a chance to enjoy some of the over 70 flavors available, many of which are made with the typical fruits of the region.
20 minutes here
Next, we will arrive at the Bonfim Church, one of the most famous churches in all of Brazil and a great representation of the religious syncretism so present in our culture, where we can tie the traditional colored ribbons and ask all the saints for their protection. Moved by faith, the people of Bahia walk 8 km (5 mi) annually on the traditional Bonfim festival.
30 minutes here
Ponta do Humaita
On the way, we will go to Ponta de Humaitá and make a stop at the Mont Serrat Fort, where we will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Salvador.
20 minutes here
Praca Thome de Souza
We will then reach the top of the Upper City, where the Portuguese built the first capital of Brazil, similar to an acropolis. From the Municipal Square we will see the Rio Branco Palace, the City Council and the iconic Lacerda Elevator, from where we will enjoy a magnificent view of the bay with its islands, the old financial district and Mercado Modelo, a handicraft market.
20 minutes here
Praca da Se
WE will pass through the Sé Square, where the first cathedral of Brazil was built and we can still see its ruins.
20 minutes here
Praca Terreiro de Jesus
The Terreiro de Jesus Square, home of the former Jesuit School and Church were originally built. Nowadays, it's the new Basilica Cathedral. At this point we will provide free time for lunch.
60 minutes here
Cathedral Basilica of Salvador
After lunch, we will visit one of the Brazil's most beautiful cathedrals.The Basilica Cathedral of Salvador is the mother of all Brazilian Catholic churches and houses one of the most important collections of Brazilian sacred art.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Saint Francis Square is in the hart of the old city, where we find bars, restaurants and handicraft shops. But, the landmark here is really the world's famous Saint Francis of Assisi Church, a true barroque gem (visit). Ticket not included.
10 minutes here
This is one of the most beautiful squares of Salvador, where the Jorge Amado Foundation and the Church of Rosary of the Black Men are located.
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Salvador da Bahia
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- pt, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Carlos Eduardo Barbosa
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 54 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
10 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
54 verified traveler reviews for Private Full-Day Tour - Salvador's Lower & Upper City. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A perfect day in Salvador!
Carlos led us on a fabulous trip around Salvador introducing us to the history and culture of his amazing city. His winsome enthusiasm for his city was contagious! He was kind and thoughtful with sharing umbrellas on our rainy day. He showed us all the highlights and found the perfect lunch spot for us to enjoy delicious Bahian cuisine! All in all it was a fabulous day and Carlos treated us well! Thank you so much, Carlos!!
Response from the operator: Hello Kristen! I'm so happy to know you enjoyed your visit to Salvador! Thank you so much! I wish you all the best!
via Tripadvisor
Carlos is amazing!
Carlos was an incredible guide! He is so knowledgeable about Salvador and the history, architecture, and culture of the city. The tour is fantastic - we really learned a lot and got to see so many special places and enjoy some incredible food. Carlos speaks perfect English and took care of all of the logistics for our group of 9 people with lots of luggage, and even arranged transportation for us unrelated to the tour. Highly recommend!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your review, Lisa! I really enjoyed meeting your family and being able to share some of my passion for my city with you all. I wish you all the best!
via Tripadvisor
Carlos was one of the...
Carlos was one of the best guides lve had, very personable, informative and guided us through and around all the stops seamlessly, highly recommended
Response from the operator: Hi Jas! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed your visit to Salvador! I loved meeting you and Nina, and I wish you both all the best!
via Viator
Carlos was an excellent, informative, and friendly guide
An excellent comprehensive tour covering the modern city and the older parts. Delicious ice cream along the way
Response from the operator: Hello Adrian & Maggie! Thank you so much for your review! I enjoyed very much guiding you in my City. I wish you all the best!
via Viator
A great tour with an excellent guide. 👍
Carlos took us on a great tour of Salvador. We booked directly (always our preferred option). Having don’t the previous day blindly wandering around it was so much better to have a structured day with a guide to explain everything to us. You really gain a lot from this. We started in the Barra district (where I am writing this review from on the beach☀️) and during the day traversed both the lower and upper city, we had a great time and Carlos was the perfect guide. He was easy to talk with and clearly very knowledgeable about Salvador. We would recommend the tour to anyone.
Response from the operator: Hello, Colin! Thank you so much for your review! I had a great time with you and your family! Enjoy your visit in Brazil!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $130 to $230
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 19
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Carlos Eduardo Barbosa, who run 8 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.6.
See everything Carlos Eduardo Barbosa runsWhy this scores 82
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Full-Day Tour - Salvador's Lower & Upper City: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Salvador da Bahia.
How much does Private Full-Day Tour - Salvador's Lower & Upper City cost?
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Prices start at $130 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Salvador da Bahia usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Full-Day Tour - Salvador's Lower & Upper City take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Salvador da Bahia is not rushed.
Is Private Full-Day Tour - Salvador's Lower & Upper City worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 82 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 54 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Salvador da Bahia, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Full-Day Tour - Salvador's Lower & Upper City?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Full-Day Tour - Salvador's Lower & Upper City suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Full-Day Tour - Salvador's Lower & Upper City?
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Around 19 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Salvador da Bahia can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Salvador da Bahia and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Full-Day Tour - Salvador's Lower & Upper City start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Salvador da Bahia within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Salvador da Bahia?
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On Outty we rank every Salvador da Bahia experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cooking class in Salvador, fun hands on experience with caips, Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador, Salvador City Tour – Discover Brazil’s First Capital En, It, Es. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Salvador da Bahia?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Salvador da Bahia?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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