Excursion Porto seguro old & new tour at Porto Seguro

Explore the historic parts of Porto Seguro on this informative and scenic half-day tour. The upper city of Porto Seguro, or the historic town, was one of the first founded clusters of housing in all of Brazil. The upper city was also the headquarters of the captaincy of Pero Tourinho, playing an important role in the early years of the colonization of Brazil. The architecture in this part of town is dated from the 16th to the 18th century and is formed by about 40 houses, including institutions and private residences, still inhabited, distributed over three squares and little streets. The entire set of buildings is listed by IPHAN Institution, and no driving is allowed here.

Drive just 10 minutes from the pier to the historical city, enjoying a walking tour of old city highlights, including the Possession Mark monument (1503), Church of Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia (1526) - the oldest in Brazil, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Pena (1535), the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário (1549), and the Casa de Câmara e Cadeia (1772), which is home to the Porto Seguro museum. During your visit in the uptown, walk through the ancient streets, visiting the historic monuments, and still enjoying the stunning scenery of the Bay of Porto.

On this tour there is also time to shop and take photos. Stop at a local establishment to taste a traditional tropical juice and watch a local performance for Maculelê dance, a typical dance played by long knives or sticks, as the maculelê rhythm goes on the atabaque percussion, and the 2 people begin rhythmically striking the knives (honoring the traditions of sugar cane workers).

Then, continue towards the main streets of the lower city, an urban site formed by graceful buildings on the banks of the river Buranhém. Stroll the Discovery Walkway (popular for restaurants), and browse the artistically decorated tents selling tropical drinks. Stop at a local bar to taste one of the popular drinks and enjoy a Bahia appetizer, followed by free time to walk around before walking back to the nearby pier on their own.

Note

Please note: This excursion involves at least 0.5km (0.3 miles) of walking over uneven terrain and 15 steps at the restaurant bar, making parts of this tour unsuitable for guests with limited mobility. Light clothing, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.