Recife

Travel Guide

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

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

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

4.5/5(7 area reviews)

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
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Gaibu

Travelers like the beaches in Gaibu, and Gaibu Beach is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Gaibu
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Candeias

Travelers like the beaches in Candeias, and Candeias Beach is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Candeias
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Boa Vista

Travelers like the theaters in Boa Vista, and Rua da Aurora is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Boa Vista
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 CA $41 per night from Apr. 28 to Apr. 29
CA $41
CA $43 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 28 - Apr 29
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. ...
7/10 Good! (1,970 reviews)
"Great value. Telephone was broken, and no towels. Breakfast was pretty good."

Reviewed on Mar. 24, 2025

Rede Andrade Onda Mar
Kastel Manibu Recife - Boa Viagem
Kastel Manibu Recife - Boa Viagem
3.5 out of 5
Avenida Conselheiro Aguiar, 919, Boa Viagem, Recife, Pernambuco
The price is CA $68 per night from May 4 to May 5
CA $68
CA $71 total
includes taxes & fees
May 4 - May 5
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! (1,012 reviews)
"Beautiful place"

Reviewed on Mar. 28, 2025

Kastel Manibu Recife - Boa Viagem
Rede Andrade Vela Branca
Rede Andrade Vela Branca
3 out of 5
Av. Eng. Domingos Ferreira, 4395, Recife, PE
The price is CA $38 per night from Apr. 22 to Apr. 23
CA $38
CA $44 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 22 - Apr 23
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! (1,473 reviews)
"Double beds don’t stick together."

Reviewed on Feb. 11, 2025

Rede Andrade Vela Branca
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.
Condomínio TOLIVE One Housi by Carpediem
Condomínio TOLIVE One Housi by Carpediem
3 out of 5
R. Gen. Joaquim Inácio 170, Recife, PE
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly apartment in Recife. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Boa Viagem Beach and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (65 reviews)
"Nice pool, but I wish that the property was taken care better, very expensive"

Reviewed on Mar. 29, 2025

Condomínio TOLIVE One Housi by Carpediem
Porto Alto Resort - GAV Resorts
Porto Alto Resort - GAV Resorts
2.5 out of 5
Praia de muro alto, Ipojuca, PE
Book a stay at this beach condo in Ipojuca. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Muro Alto Beach and Porto de Galinhas Beach ...
Porto Alto Resort - GAV Resorts
Roomo Praia de Boa Viagem Residencial
Roomo Praia de Boa Viagem Residencial
3.5 out of 5
1228 Av. Visconde de Jequitinhonha, Boa Viagem, Recife
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Recife. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (691 reviews)
Estadia agradável
"Hotel bem central, próximo a restaurantes, da praia de Boa viagem, e supermercados. Nesse momento o hall de entrada está em reforma. Foi uma estadia agradável."

Reviewed on Dec. 2, 2024

Roomo Praia de Boa Viagem Residencial
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

Things to do

Reviews of Recife

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
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4 - Good
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4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
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Cities near Recife