At Praia de Boa Viagem, crystal-clear Atlantic waters lap around natural pools where you can swim and go on a tourist dive. Recife also offers a wide range of cultural experiences, from immersive depictions of the Sertão to ceramic sculptures and collections. The subjects that interest you most are a good starting point for making your own selection.

Cultural venues with different focuses

Cais do Sertão is dedicated to life, history and forms of expression in the Sertão. There, technology, audiovisual installations and immersive spaces bring together the music, religious practices, everyday life and landscapes of the Sertão. Its thematic scope therefore extends beyond a single aspect. If you are interested in the cultural expressions of this region, Cais do Sertão offers an approach that combines content with multimedia design.

Paço do Frevo is also a distinctive cultural venue in Recife: it is located in a historic building on Praça do Arsenal in Bairro do Recife. Its historic architecture is an integral part of what makes Paço do Frevo distinctive.

At Oficina Francisco Brennand, you can see a wide variety of ceramic sculptures, both indoors and outdoors. If you are interested in ceramic art, you will find sculptures in several different areas here; the variety of materials and works takes center stage.

Instituto Ricardo Brennand displays bladed weapons, armor and works of art. The artworks include works by Dutch painter Frans Post.

Market architecture and the history of a building

Mercado de São José is a market that opened in the 19th century and features an iron structure modeled on European markets.

At Casa da Cultura de Pernambuco, the building’s former use takes center stage: it was a 19th-century prison, and its original structure has been preserved. The corridors and cells were converted into shops selling handicrafts and regional products. While Mercado de São José is characterized by its iron structure modeled on European markets, Casa da Cultura’s former prison layout and its conversion into shops are still evident. If you plan to visit Casa da Cultura, it is a good idea to check the current opening hours.

Water experiences on the Atlantic and the river

Praia de Boa Viagem combines natural pools lapped by Atlantic waters with two activities: swimming and tourist diving. This lets you focus your selection on the coast, whether you are particularly interested in swimming or diving. Both activities take place in the same natural pools at Praia de Boa Viagem.

A catamaran trip on the Rio Capibaribe offers a different perspective on Recife. Along the way, you can admire Recife’s bridges. While you admire Recife’s bridges on a catamaran trip along the Rio Capibaribe, you can swim or go on a tourist dive in the natural pools at Praia de Boa Viagem.

You can therefore explore Recife through a range of questions: Would you rather visit cultural venues and collections, are you interested in the history of buildings, or are water experiences among your priorities?

Discover more destinations: Barra Do Sirinhaém, Camela, Cabo De Santo Agostinho, Igarassu, Passira, Garanhuns, Caruaru, São João.

For the broader travel overview: Pernambuco.