Catedral da Sé

Sightseeing tours of Olinda nearly always include a visit to the Alto da Sé viewpoint—the hilltop square where the Catedral da Sé is located. Leave yourself plenty of time to admire the views, the cathedral’s restored façade, and simple interiors. Inside, you’ll find the tomb of prominent local Archbishop Dom Helder Câmara. Many full-day tours combine a visit to Olinda with its sister city, Recife.

• The Alto da Sé is a popular spot for vendors who sell local snacks, such as fresh coconut, tapioca (stuffed cassava-flour pancakes), and other street foods.

• The colorful houses along the Ladeira da Sé, the road that leads up to the cathedral, are popular with travelers and photographers.

• The small admission fee to enter the cathedral is donated to the church.

• The cathedral is largely accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

The Catedral da Sé is located on the Alto da Sé terrace in the heart of Olinda’s UNESCO-listed Historic Centre. The square and the terrace viewpoint are easily reached on foot; it's about a 5-minute uphill walk along Ladeira da Sé. The cathedral square can also be reached by car or taxi.

If you’re coming for the views, time your visit for the early morning to avoid the crowds of day-trippers or for sunset for the most magical light. The cathedral's opening hours vary, but it’s typically open between morning and late afternoon, with a midday closure for about 90 minutes around lunch. Weekly mass is held most Sundays in the morning.

Olinda is home to about 20 baroque churches and small chapels, many of which are hidden away down the cobbled lanes of the Historic Centre. The UNESCO-listed old quarter is known for its Portuguese colonial architecture, with its characterful buildings painted in a rainbow of colors. Highlights include the 16th-century church of São João Batista dos Militares and the Casa dos Bonecos Gigantes de Olinda, a museum devoted to the giant effigies paraded through the streets during Olinda’s annual carnival.