Historic Centre of the Town of Olinda (Centro Historico de Olinda)

Walking tours of Olinda’s Historic Center reveal more about the city’s rich history. The 16th-century Portuguese colonial port was once an important center of the sugarcane industry; this wealth remains apparent in its lavish Baroque-style architecture. Admire the 16th-century church of São João Batista dos Militares and views from the grand hilltop Catedral da Sé, and visit the historic Nossa Senhora da Graça church. Many tours combine a visit to Olinda with the nearby city of Recife, so take in the highlights of both on a day trip.

• Shoppers will find many boutique stores, independent art galleries, and handicraft shops dotted around the historic center.

• The area has many steep, narrow, and cobblestone lanes, so wear sturdy shoes and be prepared to walk.

• Access to some roads can be tricky for wheelchairs and strollers, so it might be best to seek the advice of a local guide.

The best way to get around Olinda is on foot; though the streets are hilly, the Historic Centre is compact enough to explore in 1-2 hours. Local buses connect Olinda and neighboring Recife, but buses leave from the main bus terminal outside of town, so it’s often more convenient to take a taxi—it’s about a 30-minute journey.

Olinda is busiest during the summer months of December through February, and huge crowds descend on the city during carnival (February-March). The Historic Centre is a popular destination for day-trippers, so visiting in the morning or sticking around until sunset means you’ll avoid the biggest crowds. As with most Brazilian cities, it’s not recommended to walk around at night, so take a taxi if you’re planning to drink or dine in the city after dark.

The cobbled streets of Olinda’s Historic Centre come to life each year during Brazil’s annual Carnival celebrations. The town’s spectacular festivities are popular with locals; Olinda is renowned for its bocetos gigantes (gigantic papier-mâché puppets) that are marched through the streets during the parades. Thousands of people take to the streets to celebrate together over six days, with traditional Frevo, Samba, and Afro-Brazilian Maracatu music, dance, and elaborate costumes.