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

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

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.

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

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 A historical documents collection can be visited in the annex building.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.

Military Museum Brum Fortress

Museu Militar Forte do Brum

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

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

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.

Parque 13 de Maio

May 13th Park

The largest green area in central Recife, with playground equipment, a petting zoo, and illuminated fountains. 24-hour security.

Free

Parque Theater

Teatro do Parque

Constructed in 1915, Parque Theater is one of the three oldest, historic theaters in Recife. Modern and traditional plays from Spanish and Portuguese playwrights of the 17th-21st centuries are performed at the theater. Next door is the Cineteatro do Parque, Recife's oldest cinemas. Because Recife's municipal government, tickets are subsidized and cost only pennies!

Parque das Esculturas Francisco Brennand

A sculpture park on the reefs of the port of Recife. Contains more than 90 sculptures by Francisco Brennand, including a 30-m-high tower.

Pernambucan Academy of Letters

Academia Pernambucana de Letras

Constructed in 1870, this is the headquarters of a prominent literary society.

Pernambuco Image and Sound Museum

Museu da Imagem e do Som de Pernambuco - MISPE

Holds more than 6,000 pieces, including movies, records, photographs, postcards and the like. Uses modern audivisual techniques to document Pernambuco's culture.

Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00, Sat Sun 13:00-17:00

Pina Beach

Praia do Pina

A well-developed and popular beach north of Boa Viagem Beach. It's a little more relaxed, with weak waves.

Santa Cruz

Holy Cross

Built between 1725 and 1732. Parts of the movie Lisbela e o Prisioneiro (2003) were shot in the square in front of the church.

Casa Manuel Bandeira/Espaço Pasárgada

House were the acclaimed poet Manuel Bandeira spent his childhood.

Mon-Fri 08:00-18:00

Casa-Museu Gilberto Freyre

Beautiful house where once lived Brazil's greatest sociologist, Gilberto Freyre.

Mon-Fri 09:00-16:30

Convento Franciscano de Santo Antônio

Franciscan Convent of Saint Anthony

One of the city's biggest attractions, a convent containing the ostentatious Capela Dourada (Golden Chapel), which certainly lives up to its name. Built in 1588, it is one of the most beautiful baroque churches in Brazil. Altar with gold-covered engravings, beautiful paintings on the ceiling and impressive amount of Portuguese-style tiled panels. This is one of the main sights in Recife. The interior of rosewood and cedar is completely covered with gold. You will find similar churches full of splendour only in Salvador da Bahia or Ouro Preto. The convent also houses the Museu Franciscano de Arte Sagrada (Franciscan Museum of Sacred Art).

Mon-Fri 08:00-11:30, 14:00-17:00; Sat 08:00-11:30·R$2

Igreja da Madre de Deus

Mother of God Church

Completed in 1709, the construction was financed by Antônio Fernandes de Matos, one of the city's many wealthy merchants. The baroque interior is impressive with carvings and details in gold.

Tue-Fri 08:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00; Sat Sun 09:00-12:00

Malakoff Tower Cultural Observatory

Torre Malakoff

Built in 1853. Beautiful tower in the port front. Functions as an astronomic observatory and arts and science center.

Tue-Fri 10:00-20:00, Sat 14:00-20:00, Sun 14:00-19:00

Museum of the Northeastern Man

Museu do Homem do Nordeste

Part of the Fundação Joaquim Nabuco. This fantastic museum depicts the various folk arts, traditions, and history of Northeast Brazil. The displays are divided among three sections, focusing on sugar, folk arts, and anthropology. It's in the suburbs, but well worth the ride out.

Tue-Fri 08:30-17:00; Sat Sun 13:00-17:00; closed Jan 1, Carnaval, Mar 6, Good Fri, Jun 24, Dec 25

Museum of the State of Pernambuco

Museu do Estado de Pernambuco

Objects from the history of the state on display, from a Dutch bronze cannon to Afro-Brazilian art.

Tue-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat Sun 14:00-17:00