Recife Attractions
The capital of Brazil’s northeastern state of Pernambuco, Recife—pronounced “heh-see-fee”—is a lively city bursting with beautiful beaches, incredible cuisine, and vibrant music and art scenes. Having earned the nickname of Brazilian Venice, Recife is marked by rivers and bridges that criss-cross their way through the city. The historic Centro dates back to the 16th century and boasts cool bars, cultural events, and quirky craft shops in and around its colorful colonial buildings. To the south, Zona Sul is flanked by natural reef beaches and high-rise hotels, while Zona Oeste is the greenest part of the city. Recife’s dynamic culture can be seen throughout more than 20 museums, which celebrate everything from art and history to religion and transportation. Talking about Recife isn’t complete without mentioning its annual Carnaval, which draws nearly 2 million people to its streets with the infectious rhythms of genres like maracatu and frevo. Directly to the north, the city of Olinda offers a quieter atmosphere, and many visitors opt to stay here at night while visiting Recife by day.
