Recife: Best Things to Do

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As the capital of Brazil’s northeastern state of Pernambuco, Recife is famous for its rivers, bridges, islets, and peninsulas.

For an excited start, make Marco Zero Square as your first spot to visit and explore the culture of the city.

Downtown area has the best museum for you to visit, it’s called Paço do Frevo.

Oficina Ceramica Francisco Brennand and Ricardo Brennand Institute are the best spots for art and history admirers.

Check out Jaqueira Park and Parque das Esculturas Francisco Brennand for picture hunting.

Recife’s traditional dishes, Carne de Sol and Rabada are not to be missed. Special drinks like Aluá, Cachaça, and Caipirinha are ready to be tasted.

To treat yourself with comfortable and luxurious accommodations, Mar Hotel Conventions and Recife Praia Hotel are the best hotels for you.

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SIGHTSEEING

Marco Zero Square is an open plaza featuring a colorfully painted floor. This spot is used for hosting cultural events and musical concerts. Located in the heart of Recife, it is a perfect place to blend in with the locals and to know the culture of Recife. Get your camera ready for the peak event, which is the popular carnivals that are held largely here. This spot is also known as the symbol square of Recife. Not only you’re united with the local’s largest carnivals, you’re also becoming a part of the iconic spot in the city. The carnivals occur in January, February, and March.

Marco Zero Square

Located in the heart city of Recife.

Old historic building along the street.

Great place for spending your day.

Address : Av. Alfredo Lisboa - Recife, PE, 50030-150, Brazil

DOWNTOWN

Downtown Recife is an excellent place for walking. While walking, you’ll see many interesting places to stop by. Whether it’s restaurants, bars, street life, and museums. Paço do Frevo museum would be the best stop you make. This museum is featuring classes, multimedia, and rotating exhibitions dedicated to local dance and Frevo music. This is totally a must-see spot for you. Not only you get to see the local’s dance, your sight will have to dance around to see the attraction of the rooms. The gorgeous decoration and coloration will leave an impact on you. Enjoy rich information on its wall both written and in pictures.

Paço do Frevo

Paço do Frevo is great full history place to explore.

Exhibitions dedicated to local dance & frevo music.

Catch a live performance frevo music.

Address : R. da Guia, s.n - Recife, PE, 50030-360, Brazil

SHOPPING

If you’re looking for locally made handicrafts, Centro de Artesanato de Pernambuco is a perfect recommendation for you. It’s a wide range of items made by Pernambuco artists. Things you can buy including textiles, ceramics, vases, and wooden statues. This place has become locals and tourists’ favorite spot for good souvenirs from Recife Brazil. With great service and accessible prices, this experience is assured to be the one you remember. For a modern shopping spot, Shopping Recife is the right place for it. This mall is an expansive complex of both local and global shops with counter-serve eateries, cafes, and a game arcade. It has been known as the first shopping center in Pernambuco. They receive more than 65 thousand people a day with 450 stores, 5.8 thousand parking spaces and 14 movie theaters. Be ready to explore the best mall in the city.

Centro de Artesanato de Pernambuco

If you’re looking for locally made handicrafts, Centro de Artesanato de Pernambuco is a perfect recommendation for you.

It’s a wide range of items made by Pernambuco artists.

This place has become locals and tourists’ favorite spot for good souvenirs from Recife Brazil.

Address : Av. Alfredo Lisboa, s/n - Recife, PE, 50030-100, Brazil

Shopping Recife

For a modern shopping spot, Shopping Recife is the right place for it.

This mall is an expansive complex of both local and global shops with counter-serve eateries, cafes, and a game arcade.

It has been known as the first shopping center in Pernambuco.

Address : R. Padre Carapuceiro, 777 - Boa Viagem, Recife - PE, 51020-900, Brazil

FOOD & DRINK

Don’t forget to try one of the best dishes in Recife Brazil, Carne de Sol. It is a sun-dried meat which literally translates to “meat of sun.” This dish consists of beef that has been heavily salted in the sun for one or two days and it is usually served grilled. Rabada is another dish you can try. It’s an ox tail stew that has special taste. Aluá (prepared with maize, rice, and sugar), Cachaça (a distilled spirit made from sugarcane juice), and Caipirinha (a cocktail prepared using Cachaça, lime juice, and sugar) are some of the traditional drinks of Recife.

CULTURE

Recife is known as the home of several artists, musicians, and writers. It also home to the frevo; a regional dance and music that’s typically performed and heard in carnivals. As one of the longest cities in the northeast of Brazil, Recife is also famous for its neighboring city, Olinda. Portuguese is the official language and national language of Brazil. It’s widely spoken by most of the population.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

When the rain is less and the humidity is lower, this is the best time to visit Recife, which goes from September to February. Sea water temperatures remain stable all over the year. January to March are the times when the most awaited carnivals are held. So, you may want to consider this period to visit the city.

HOTEL

Stay at Mar Hotel Conventions to experience 4-star treatment. With its modern-looking building, this hotel is only 8-minute walk from Boa Viagem beach and only 3 km from Recife International Airport. Its rooms come with polish equipment, ready to make guests feel at home. Some of the rooms have balconies, perfect spot to enjoy the city views. 2 restaurants are at the ready to serve deliciousness, while a poolside bar and a casual lobby bar are available for a relaxing drink. Fitness center and indoor & outdoor pool would be the best spots to spend some quality time with yourself for a healthy lifestyle. Set across the street from Pina Beach, Recife Praia Hotel is another good recommendation for your stay in Recife. This hotel is only 2 km from RioMar Shopping Recife mall and 7 km from the Recife’s center. Feel comfortable at their straightforward rooms while enjoying sea views. Taste Recife dishes at their laid-back restaurant. Enjoy free parking and breakfast every day. Make sure to see what the bar has to offer. Outdoor pool with a sun deck, plus a sauna are ready to please your body after a hectic day.

Mar Hotel Conventions

Find your own peaceful in Mar Hotel cozy room.

Perfect place for leasure or business.

Give yourself the much needed holiday complete with outdoor pool.

Address : R. Barão de Souza Leão, 451 - Boa Viagem, Recife - PE, 51030-300, Brazil

Recife Praia Hotel

Located near the city center & beach.

The service is welcoming for everyone.

Address : Av. Boa Viagem, 9 - Pina, Recife - PE, 51011-000, Brazil

RESTAURANT

Everything stands out at Chica Pitanga restaurant. From the lighting, tables, chair, ceiling decoration, to its space. Based on Brazilian cuisine, this restaurant offers a wide variety with attention on fish and seafood. With the focus on Portuguese cuisine, every menu is prepared with the touch of art and family secrets. This experience would be a memorable one. Entre Amigos Praia is another good recommendation for your culinary exploration. As the best restaurant in the city, Entre Amigos Praia gives you the best feeling. From the atmosphere, the decoration, to the ocean views. This restaurant embraces you with its good taste and first-class service. With its beautiful location, the soft music played in the background will add a romantic vibe to your table. Make sure to try their Sangria drink, a combination of fruits with cold wine.

Chica Pitanga

One of the best restaurant serves home style foods.

They provide variety of authentic food.

The service is absolutely great.

Address : R. Petrolina, 19 - Boa Viagem, Recife - PE, 51021-250, Brazil

Entre Amigos Praia

Elegant space overlooking Boa Viagem sea shore.

A lot of great food selection.

They provide cocktails and beer too.

Address : Av. Boa Viagem, 760 - Pina, Recife - PE, 51011-000, Brazil

CAFE

Enjoy a great option of breakfast at Harina Café. They have a wide variety from both regional foods to French cuisine. Couscous and tapioca are some of the local’s best while croissants and other patisseries are some of the French best dishes here. The highlight of this cafe is they always serve high quality dishes. Taste their delicious coffee where ever you prefer, whether it’s inside or outside. Don’t skip Lala Café & Kitchen Affective to experience one of the most attractive cafes in the city. This cafe pampers its visitor with thoughtful decoration and placement of its equipment. Though the price is quite high, you definitely are paying for good stuff. It’ll totally worth it. With its friendly atmosphere, apparently the taste of its menu has been the talk of the town. This cafe is absolutely a perfect spot to enjoy the taste of Recife.

Harina Café

The menu has a wide variety.

They serve French cuisine and pastries selection.

The space is well located, indoor and ourdoor available.

Address : R. França Pereira, 137 - Boa Viagem, Recife - PE, 51111-150, Brazil

Lala Café & Kitchen Affective

The great place for breakfast or brunch with several menu.

Wonderful atmosphere and excellent service.

Address : R. Amélia, 470 - Graças, Recife - PE, 52011-050, Brazil

BAR AND NIGHTLIFE

Under Sports Bar | Pub never fails to give the best to its visitors. As the best club in Recife, you can’t go wrong with this club. From the fun atmosphere, good selection of drink, the bartender’s hospitality, to the lighting. While the decoration is in the good side, other good facilities like good music selection, a pool table, TVs for game shows are ready to be your night’s company. Be prepared to have the most fun. If you want to enjoy tasty drinks at the cheapest price but has the best atmosphere ever, Conchittas Bar is the right place for it. The lively vibes will make sure you aren’t left alone. The lighting will embrace your body to dance hard until the end of the night.

Under Sports Bar | Pub

Lots of cocktails, beers and appetizers selection.

They provide TV fro watching sport game.

Top service and incredible atmosphere.

Address : Av. Boa Viagem, 618 - Boa Viagem, Recife - PE, 51011-000, Brazil

Conchittas Bar

Serving wide variety of drinks and meals.

Conchittas Bar is welcoming for LGBT community.

Great atmophere and wonderful live music selection.

Address : Av. Manoel Borba, 709 - Boa Vista, Recife - PE, 50070-045, Brazil

INTERESTING PLACE

Oficina Ceramica Francisco Brennand is a good place to enjoy the local artist’s works. It’s a museum and workshop of a famous Brazilian plastic artist. You can see many stunning works of ceramics, sculptures, and paintings here. As one of the most visited attractions in Recife, this interesting place is a good choice to spend the day in the city. More than 3000 pieces of arts are displayed here. Each of them has its own history behind. It’s definitely one of a kind. You don’t want to miss this one. You can also visit and pamper yourself with the surrounding arts at Ricardo Brennand Institute. This museum is known as one of the best museums in Recife city. A vast garden-filled grounds with dramatic castle-style building showcasing historical and art pieces. Things you can discover are catalog collection, wax museum, an unbelievable collection of weapons, stuffed animals, a large environment of paintings, and various sculptures. This is a great place to know the history of Brazil.

Oficina Ceramica Francisco Brennand

A good place to enjoy the local artist’s works.

It’s a museum and workshop of a famous Brazilian plastic artist.

Address : Propriedade Santos Cosme e Damião - R. Diogo de Vasconcelos, S/N - Várzea, Recife - PE, 50740-970, Brazil

Ricardo Brennand Institute

This museum is known as one of the best museums in Recife city.

A vast garden-filled grounds with dramatic castle-style building showcasing historical and art pieces.

Address : R. Mário Campelo, 700 - Várzea, Recife - PE, 50741-430, Brazil

INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOT

Come and collect your best Instagram pictures at Parque das Esculturas Francisco Brennand. It’s a harborside park on a reef featuring unique works by the famous Brazilian sculpture, Francisco Brennand. Not only you’re blessed with such a beautiful work of art, sea sight becomes your company. If you love art and taking picture with beautiful landscape, this is totally the best reference for you and your camera. Jaqueira Park should be your next stop to create amazing pictures. It is very popular for all kinds of relaxation activities. This recreational park is offering jogging/biking paths, picnic tables, a chapel, skating rink, and playground. Located in the middle of the city’s stunning buildings, this park is definitely a must visit. While the beauty of the trees surrounds you, the existence of the modern-looking buildings is adding excitement for your camera. To enjoy beach life, make a trip to Paiva Beach, one of the best-known beaches in the city. It’s a dessert beach and that is what makes this spot is so memorable. Prepare your camera, make this spot like your own and capture some of the best moments.

Paiva Beach

one of the best-known beaches in the city

It’s a dessert beach and that is what makes this spot is so memorable.

Prepare your camera, make this spot like your own and capture some of the best moments.

Address : PE-009, 030561 - Paiva, Cabo de Santo Agostinho - PE, Brazil

Jaqueira Park

Jaqueira Park should be your next stop to create amazing pictures.

It is very popular for all kinds of relaxation activities.

This recreational park is offering jogging/biking paths, picnic tables, a chapel, skating rink, and playground.

Address : R. do Futuro, s/n - Graças, Recife - PE, 52050-010, Brazil

Parque das Esculturas Francisco Brennand

collect your best Instagram pictures at Parque das Esculturas Francisco Brennand.

It’s a harborside park on a reef featuring unique works by the famous Brazilian sculpture, Francisco Brennand.

Address : Recife - State of Pernambuco, 50740-970, Brazil