Recife

Travel Guide
Tamandare which includes a beach and tropical scenes
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 Galinhas. 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

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 $34 per night from Oct 23 to Oct 24
$34
per night
Oct 23 - Oct 24
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Recife. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the bathrooms in our reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (1,066 reviews)
"Super limpo e pessoal super atencioso."

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2023

Rede Andrade Onda Mar
Roomo Praia de Boa Viagem
Roomo Praia de Boa Viagem
3.5 out of 5
1228 Av. Visconde de Jequitinhonha, Boa Viagem, Recife
The price is $61 per night from Nov 2 to Nov 3
$61
per night
Nov 2 - Nov 3
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Recife. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem Church and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (598 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on Jul 25, 2023

Roomo Praia de Boa Viagem
Grand Mercure Recife Boa Viagem
Grand Mercure Recife Boa Viagem
4 out of 5
Avenida Boa Viagem, 4070, Recife, PE
The price is $82 per night from Oct 22 to Oct 23
$82
per night
Oct 22 - Oct 23
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Recife. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and breakfast. Our guests praise the room service in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Good property"

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2023

Grand Mercure 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.
MANAWA BEACH FLAT
MANAWA BEACH FLAT
2 out of 5
Estrada de Porto de Galinhas s/n, Ipojuca, PE
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Ipojuca. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Merepe Beach and Porto de Galinhas Beach are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (16 reviews)
"Bom demais, uma paz terrível nesse lugar adorei tudo"

Reviewed on Sep 25, 2023

MANAWA BEACH FLAT
Roomo Praia de Boa Viagem
Roomo Praia de Boa Viagem
3.5 out of 5
1228 Av. Visconde de Jequitinhonha, Boa Viagem, Recife
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Recife. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem Church and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (598 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on Jul 25, 2023

Roomo Praia de Boa Viagem
Muro Alto Marulhos
Muro Alto Marulhos
2.5 out of 5
Estr. Ac. p/ Praia de Muro Alto e Camboa, Porto de Galinhas, Ipojuca, PE
Stay at this spa aparthotel in Ipojuca. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 5 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Muro Alto Beach and Cupe Beach are located nearby. ...
Muro Alto Marulhos
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

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
17
" "5 - Excellent 44.73684210526316%
4 - Good
12
" "4 - Good 31.57894736842105%
3 - Okay
8
" "3 - Okay 21.05263157894737%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 2.6315789473684212%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jan 7, 2020

Great vibe, good beach and awesome weather.

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveler
Nov 24, 2019

Recife was not what I expected. Run down streets/lots of pot holes. Filthy city, stagnant water canals full of trash, old dumped furniture and rats!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Aug 6, 2019

Airport FYI - Arrive to your gate early. The flight before mine left 10 minutes early stranding several people who thought they still had time to board. My flight also left 10 minutes early.

3/5 - Okay

Lionel
Jul 24, 2019

Nice beach town. However on certain areas like Boa Viagem are nice. However, the city infrastructure is poor.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jul 19, 2019

It is my favorite city in Brasil and I’ve been to several. Lots of things to do and it’s very clean and modern with an old historic area. The Ricardo Brennand museum is amazing. I recommend it.

4/5 - Good

Ron
Jan 16, 2019

Great cultural and crafts city. It has great food, music and friendly people. It's wise to not flash jewelry or valuables and try to travel in groups, especially after dark. If careful, any visitor should have a memorable experience.

Cities near Recife