Recife

Travel Guide

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

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 showing general coastal views, a beach and swimming

Porto de Galinhas

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

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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Boa Vista

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

Boa Vista
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Pina

Pina is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Pina Beach and Shopping RioMar.

Pina
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Gaibu

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

Gaibu
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 P1,859 per night from Aug 13 to Aug 14
P1,859
P1,952 total
Aug 13 - Aug 14
includes taxes & fees
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. ...
7.2/10 Good! (2,239 reviews)
"Great value. Telephone was broken, and no towels. Breakfast was pretty good."

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2025

Rede Andrade Onda Mar
Rede Andrade Vela Branca

Rede Andrade Vela Branca

3 out of 5
Av. Eng. Domingos Ferreira, 4395, Recife, PE
The price is P1,665 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
P1,665
P1,915 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,729 reviews)
"Double beds don’t stick together."

Reviewed on Feb 11, 2025

Rede Andrade Vela Branca
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 P2,951 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
P2,951
P3,098 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,165 reviews)
"We travelled from New Jersey to Botucatu to Sao Paulo then finally to beautiful amazing Recife. An amazing experience, beautiful hotel, loving people, from the first day we checked in to the last day. They even put away our bags after we checked out for us to spend more time at the beach then provided ..."

Reviewed on Jul 21, 2025

Kastel Manibu 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.
HY Beach Flats

HY Beach Flats

3.5 out of 5
344 Avenida Boa Viagem, Recife, PE
Stay at this 3.5-star beach apartment in Recife. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Boa Viagem Beach and Pina Beach ...
8/10 Very Good! (678 reviews)
Boa estrutura
"Gostei bastante da estrutura do flat. Tudo muito bem dividido, banheiro espaçoso e moveis em boas condições. O melhor ponto era a vista com a cama próxima à janela. O único ponto insatisfatório foi a reforma da área da piscina em período de alta temporada."

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2025

HY Beach Flats
Beach Class Muro Alto Resort - New Time

Beach Class Muro Alto Resort - New Time

4 out of 5
Gleba Merepe C, Ipojuca, PE
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Ipojuca. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Muro Alto Beach and Porto de Galinhas Beach ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (82 reviews)
"Resort é um condomínio, tudo q vc precisar, tem q falar com o dono do apartamento, que libera na recepção do condomínio."

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2025

Beach Class Muro Alto Resort - New Time
Porto Alto Resort - GAV Resorts

Porto Alto Resort - GAV Resorts

3.5 out of 5
Praia de muro alto, Ipojuca, PE
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Ipojuca. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Muro Alto Beach and Porto de Galinhas Beach ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
Otima opcao!
"resort de MTO bom gosto, com comida de extrema qualidade, equipe atenciosa, muita variedade no cafe da manha e repondo itens até o ultimo minuto, almoço excelente com MTA comida numa opcao a la carte com entrada/principal/sobremesa, vale MTO a pena"

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2025

Porto Alto Resort - GAV Resorts
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.

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