by What to do in the suburbs of Salvador? If you don't live here, you probably haven't considered sightseeing in this area of the city. After all, agencies, the press, and other websites focus on the postcard-perfect spots like Farol da Barra, Pelourinho, Rio Vermelho, and so on.
There's nothing wrong with that, as they truly deserve to be visited. But thanks mainly to the incredible work of my friend Anderson Simplício, the region has been rediscovered for some time now, even by the people of Salvador themselves, thanks to his posts. Beauties of the Suburbs.
Here's a sample for you to follow now.
For many years, I myself spent a good part of my life without knowing the suburbs. After I started working there, I completely changed my perspective thanks to what some people said and the articles in the mainstream media.
This post is dedicated to Anderson's work, which encouraged me to explore the places that deserve a visit and inclusion in your tourist itinerary when you come to Salvador.
A brief history of the Salvador Railway Suburb
It's called a suburban railway precisely because of the train system with nine stations that runs from Calçada to Paripe for R$ (0.50 cents). The trip between the two points takes about half an hour.
Plataforma, Periperi, and Fazenda Coutos (the neighborhood where I worked for almost four years) are some of the most "famous" (the kind of neighborhoods people have "heard of") among people.
But among my former colleagues and other residents I know, nobody leaves because of the natural beauty and because Paripe has almost all the necessary services.
To read more about the history of the region, Read this post.
How to get there
To access the suburban neighborhoods of Salvador, you have the following options:
- Train station: as I mentioned earlier, the Calçada station is the access point between the city center and the suburbs.
- Avenida Suburbana: the more popular name for Avenida Afrânio Peixoto, it is one of the longest avenues in the city and probably the most used for entering the neighborhoods.
- Ribeira – Plataforma crossing: it's the best option for those in the Lower City. This is the quick video I made.
Must-see tours in the suburbs of Salvador
One of the best features of a blog is getting to know the author's point of view. Therefore, I want to emphasize that these are places I've been to. In other words, there's much more to discover in the suburbs of Salvador.
That being said, here's my list. It's worth remembering: it's best to wait until the quarantine is over to visit these places.
São Tomé de Paripe Beach
Considered the "last beach of Salvador," it's a visual spectacle. The feeling of peace that the place transmits is surreal. Hearing only the sound of the wind when you're on the sand leaves incredible memories.
In addition, there's Boteco do Tomé for eating and drinking. In my case, I remember it cost almost R$$ 30 by Uber from Matatu (downtown) to there. The price was from March 2019. In the simulation I did, it came to around R$$ 39.
Praia das Neves, one of the best beaches in the suburbs of Salvador.
It was certainly one of the places that benefited from this process of "discovering" the suburbs.
The crystal-clear waters are a feast for the eyes, and the setting, perfect for taking many great Instagram photos, must have motivated people to enjoy the beach.
But there's one specific point: the beach doesn't have many options for buying food and drinks. There are only one or two restaurants. Therefore, it's worth bringing something to snack on. And, of course, Take your trash with you. to preserve such incredible beauty.
This post has all the details on how to get to Praia das Neves, how much it costs to cross over, etc.
A glimpse of Inema, a favorite spot for presidents to spend time on celebratory occasions.
St. Bartholomew Park
Another place that Anderson from Belezas do Subúrbio helped to popularize. Located between Pirajá and Plataforma, with the entrance here, it's a large green area that became a little more well-known after Belezas do Subúrbio featured the trails there.
On the day I went, there were over 3,000 people who, along with me, discovered that Salvador has waterfalls! It's a shame that not all of them are suitable for swimming.
Highlights of my Instagram There are more posts about this day. By clicking on the arrow inside the image below, you can see more photos.
It should be noted that it is a very large space and therefore not very busy. Therefore, it is advisable to contact the association that manages the park to schedule visits (once the pandemic is over, of course) and go in groups.
Renato's Pirão
After this Sunday morning stroll through São Bartolomeu, this was the spot where we decided to eat. The pirão (a type of fish stew) is incredible and, currently, it's available for... delivery.
O Renato's Pirão It's located in Alto da Terezinha, and from there we have a fantastic view of the Bay of All Saints, making lunch even more delicious.
Finally, I hope this will completely dispel any preconceived notions you may have about the suburbs of Salvador, if you live here. And for those of you who plan to visit or even... living in Salvador, Here are some tips to add to your tourism itinerary.
As I mentioned, this is just a few of the many places that can be seen. I will reiterate that you Follow the Belezas do Subúrbio profile. To see more stunning photos.
Congratulations Caio,
Excellent post and blog.
I already follow you on Instagram and now I'm reading your blog.
Thank you very much for the quote.
Big hug!
Wow, that's great, Vaneza! Your post deserved to be featured here.
Big hug