Our 10 Top attractions in Recife

Pernambuco is the largest of the five small Brazilian states in the extreme north-east. The lively capital Recife and the baroque Olinda, located directly north of Recife, are the biggest tourist attractions of Pernambuco. The state was Brazil's richest region during colonial times, mainly because of the many sugar cane plantations and the highly profitable export goods associated with them. In the 18th century, the economic and also the political center of Brazil shifted more and more to the south.

Today the lively metropolis with over 1.6 million inhabitants is one of the up-and-coming destinations for beach and good weather lovers. Tourism is favored by the year-round warm summer climate.
The name of the city means "reef" in English, which is due to the many rock and coral reefs that extend off the coast of Recife. If Recife should also become the destination of your Brazil vacation, we would like to give you a few recommendations for your trip.

Right behind the reefs, which take the force of the Atlantic Ocean as breakwaters, the wide sandy beaches and the hardly moving water form an oversized bathtub. Recife's modern district "Boa Viagem", where many good hotels and some upscale restaurants can be found, runs along the most famous city beach of the same name. During the day, the promenade is also a popular meeting place for locals and tourists.
Other popular beaches are located within or near the city, such as Porto de Galinhas, 37,2 miles (60 kilometers) to the south.

The 4 km long bathing bay is one of the most popular on the south coast of Pernambuco. In one part of the bay, there are usually strong waves, which makes it a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts. At this, all year round well-visited place the possibilities for water sports are almost unlimited. Porto de Galinhas is also known for its clear, partly turquoise water and its natural pools. Not least because of this, the beach is considered by many to be one of the best in Brazil and has been awarded for it. In recent years, many beautiful hotels, beach bars, and restaurants have been built there. Definitely worth a trip!

The old town of Recife is also worth a trip! The historical center is located on two islands, which are only a few steps away from the mainland. The cityscape is characterized by several rivers and canals, which is why Recife is often called the "Venice of Brazil". Today more than sixteen bridges span the Rio Capibaribe and the Rio Pena alone. The construction of some buildings in the old town dates back to colonial times. The central old town consists of the districts of Santo Antônio and São José, both located on the island "Ilha Joana Bezerra".

A tour through Recife's old town, which is well worth seeing, starts at the "Praça da República" in the Santo Antônio district. On this square is the "Teatro Santa Isabel", which was built in 1850 in the neoclassical style and is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.

The square is located at the northern end of the Santo Antônio district, directly on the banks of the Rio Capibaribe. Beautiful buildings from the 19th century surround this square. Among others, the "Palácio do Governo" and the "Palácio da Justiça". The palace of the governor, painted in light pastel colors, has the official name "Palácio do Campo das Princesas" and was completed in 1841. The opposite court is also part of the Catholic University, the oldest law school in Brazil.

In the same neighborhood is the "Capela Dourada", or "Golden Chapel". It is the most important sacred building in the city and was built in 1697 by lay brothers of the Franciscan order.
The interior of the chapel was decorated with more gold than any other church in Brazil, except for the "Igreja e Convento de São Francisco" in the Bahian capital Salvador. A monastery and a museum are attached to the church. The building complex is one of the most important examples of baroque sacred architecture in Brazil.

While the "Casa da Cultura de Pernambuco" served as a prison more than a hundred years ago, today it functions as the largest center of arts and crafts in Recife. It is located eight blocks away from the "Teatro Santa Isabel" on Rua do Sol. The building was remodeled in 1975. The old cells were transformed into stores where numerous creative handicrafts are now for sale.

The metropolis also has plenty of museums. For example the "Museu da Cidade", where documents and maps tell the history of Recife, or the "Museu de Trem" in the old station building. In addition to historic steam locomotives and railroad cars, this museum also displays old ticket machines and train signs. The station building is located next to the Kulturhaus.
Among the many museums, one stands out in particular: the "Museu do Homem do Nordeste". As the name easily suggests, the exhibitions are dedicated to the people of the Northeast. They serve the purpose of providing an insight into the culture and history of this region, which is characterized by sugar cane.

About 24,8 miles (40 kilometers) north of Recife is the island Itamaracá, which has the best beaches north of Recife. On the way to the island, directly on the main road, is the historic town of Igarassú.
This town is home to the oldest church in Brazil. The almost five centuries old "Igreja de Cosme e Damião" dates back to 1535 and was commissioned by the Portuguese Crown. The background was the arrival of the Portuguese navigator and founder of Olinda, Duarte Coelho, who landed in Pernambuco that year and gained control of the area for the Portuguese. In the neighboring "Museu Histórico" baroque art treasures and weapons from the 17th to 19th century can be viewed.

The island Itamaracá can not only shine with several beautiful beaches but is also rich in colonial treasures. One of these is "Vila Velha", the first settlement of the island founded by the Portuguese. Its construction also dates back to 1535. The central square is surrounded by numerous buildings from the colonial period, among which the 17th-century church "Nossa Senhora da Conceição" stands out. Also of special interest is the "Fort Orange", which was built in 1631 by Dutch invaders.

Recife and its surrounding area, typical for the northeast of Brazil, offer many breathtaking beaches and important historical buildings. Brazil travelers who have a special enthusiasm for Portuguese and baroque colonial architecture are recommended to visit the city of Olinda, which borders Recife. It is one of the oldest cities in the entire country and its beauty is not only in its name. It is generally considered a jewel of colonial architecture. Olinda is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is still today a reflection of the European culture of the 17th and 18th centuries. Therefore we think she deserves your visit, just like Recife!

Sources: Polyglot (Apa Guide BRAZIL), www.wikipedia.org