Recife

Abolition Museum

Museu da Abolição

Museum that covers the period of slavery and the abolitionist movement in 19th-century Brazil. Former plantation house. Former residence of Counsellor João Alfredo, leader of Brazil's abolitionist movement in the 19th century.

Aluísio Magalhães Modern Art Museum

Museu de Arte Moderna Aluísio Magalhães - MAMAM

Modern art from the 1920s until the present day on display in seven rooms of a 19th century mansion. There is also a library with literature about modern art.

Tue-Sun 12:00-18:00

Bar Central

A lively and fun place more upmarket than most. The bar attracts a diverse crowd, ranging from writers to musician. Bar Central is also queer-friendly and very famous with indie kids.

Mon-Fri 12:00-02:00, Sat 20:00-02:00, Sun closed

Bargaço

Bargaço is considered the best fish and seafood restaurant in Recife. A typical speciality of the restaurant is the moqueca, pieces of fish or shrimp stewed with vegetables and coconut milk.

Sun-Thu 12:00-00:00, Fri Sat 12:00-01:00

Benfica Cultural Center

Centro Cultural Benfica

The center specializes in the "Armorial" Movement and also holds a significant portion of the pieces from the old Fine Arts School.

Mon-Fri 09:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00

Biruta

A lovely bar on the north end of the beach that gets a great sea breeze all evening. Get there early to get a table with a view.

Boa Viagem Beach

Praia de Boa Viagem

Probably one of the world's best urban beaches, with pristine white sands. With 8 km of hotels and restaurants, it is the longest urbanized stretch of beach in Brazil. If you want a tan, you came to the right place. The beach road has a wide walkway attached and this is dotted with huts selling food and drink. Try the traditional "água de coco" (coconut water). The beach is full of vendors selling food and drink. There are also vendors selling t-shirts, hats, suncream, sunglasses. These guys can get a bit insistent. Simply smile and one word will have them on their way: não (pronounced "nawwn"). The beach is somewhat protected by a coral reef wall visible at low tide, making it good for a swim, but don't go out past the wall, as the waters are more dangerous, with sharks reported in the area.

Brotfabrik

German bakery with dark bread, but also pizza, sandwiches and smoothies. Popular with office workers at lunchtime.

Mon-Fri 07:00-19:00

Casa da Cultura

Once the city prison, it is now a warren of small shops (one in each cell) selling regional arts and crafts.

Mon-Sat 09:00-19:00, Sun 09:00-14:00

Casa do Carnaval

The "house of Carnaval" is a documentation center for the yearly event, with books, photographs and the like (some of it available in digital format).

Mon-Fri 09:00-17:30

Creperia Anjo Solto

Crepes both savory and sweet, plus drinks. Note the very late hours.

Wed Thu 19:00-04:00, Fri Sat 21:00-04:00, Sun 19:00-01:00

Downtown Pub

This British pub-inspired bar puts on live music shows and is self-entitled "House of Rock". If you like "Heavy Metal", watch out, there might be a concert over there.

Entre Amigos

A bar restaurant with 2 names and 3 seating areas, one of which has air conditioning. Situated in downtown Boa Viagem and a 5 minute walk from the beach. A great place to watch the football or soak up the lively atmosphere of the very busy bar, it has a great buffet for lunch or you can eat à la carte.

Famiglia Giuliano

Italian restaurant in a replica of a medieval castle. On Wednesday and Saturday they serve a feijoada buffet.

daily 11:30-01:00

Guaiamum Gigante

This bar-restaurant seats up to 600 people. Although it may not be too pleasing to the eyes, Guaiamum Gigante serves great portions of delicious seafood for a relatively low price. This is a nice place to go on Sundays!.

Joaquim Nabuco House

House where 19th-century politician, abolitionist and author Joaquim Nabuco was born.

Joaquim Nabuco Palace

Assembléia Legislativa do Estado de Pernambuco

Seat of the Pernambuco State Legislature, built in 1874. A historical documents collection can be visited in the annex building.

Kahal Zur Israel Synagogue

Sinagoga Kahal Zur Israel

Built in and used by some of the thousands of Sephardic Jews who immigrated here during the brief period Dutch domination between 1630 and 1657. The oldest synagogue in the Americas.

Leite

Open since 1882, it is Recife's most traditional Portuguese restaurant. The restaurant was named after its founder, Armando Manoel Leite da França, a Portuguese immigrant, who established a small kiosk in 1882. Leite has a large menu ranging from decadent entrées to delicious desserts. The restaurant mainly serves Portuguese dishes. Try the giant shrimp grilled on butter or a regional dessert called carola, banana topped with cheese and baked with sugar and cinnamon.

Sun-Fri 11:30-16:00

Mercado de São José

A 1871 project of architect J. Louis Liethier and engineer Louis Léger Vauthier. Iron structure was inspired in the Grenelle Market in Paris, France. Historically, the market played an important role as a meeting place for street magicians, musicians, acrobats and the like. You can still find traditional handicrafts, regional food, medicinal herbs and Cordel Literature.

Military Museum Brum Fortress

Museu Militar Forte do Brum

Military museum in a fort, displaying military equipment from colonial times up to WWII.

Mingus

This modern restaurant offers patrons a variety of dishes and regional wines. Mingus delights its diners with fine cuisine along with relaxing jazz harmonies.

Museu Franciscano de Arte Sacra

Founded in 1974, it's a museum of religious items such as vestments, statues and chandeliers.

Museu Murillo La Greca

More than 1,400 drawings and 160 paintings by paintor Murillo La Greca.

Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00

Museu-Oficina Francisco Brennand

Great ceramic art in a bucolic area of the city surrounded by forest.

Museum of Archeology of the Catholic University of Pernambuco

Museu de Arqueologia da Universidade Católica de Pernambuco

Archeological museum focused on indigenous artifacts. Located at the Catholic University of Pernambuco.

Museum of Natural History Louis Jacques Brunet

Museu de História Natural Louis Jacques Brunet

Created in 1861, it is one of the first natural history museums in Latin America. Located at Ginásio Pernambucano. Collection spans archeology, botany, geology and zoology.

Museum of the Archeological, Historic and Geographic Institute of Pernambuco

Museu do Instituto Arqueológico, Histórico e Geográfico de Pernambuco

The oldest museum in Brazil, established in 1866. It has extensive collections about the history of Pernambuco from prehistoric to colonial times.

Mon-Fri 13:00-17:00, Sat 08:00-12:00

Nikko Japanese Fusion

Japanese-global fusion cuisine with dishes such as tuna with foie gras and banana chips in a modern and relaxed restaurant.

R$ 59 (rodízio)

Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem

Our Lady of Good Voyage

The beach of Boa Viagem takes its name from a small 18th century church dedicated to Our Lady of Good Voyage, the patron saint of travelers and sailors.