Why visit
Salvador is Brazil's Afro-Brazilian heart. Pelourinho's colorful colonial core (UNESCO), capoeira and samba reggae, and Bahian food like moqueca and acarajé.
How to use this result
Use it as a travel-city prompt
Salvador is included because it has traveler appeal beyond being a dot on the map. Use the themes, neighborhoods, notes, and season guidance to decide whether it fits a weekend, longer route, or writing prompt.
Build a realistic route
For a real trip, check how Salvador connects with nearby cities, airports, rail or bus routes, local costs, weather, and entry rules for Brazil.
Salvador at a glance
City population
2.7 million
Elevation
4 m
13 ft
Time zone
UTC-3
America/Bahia
Airport
SSA
Deputado Luiz Eduardo Magalhães International Airport
Brazil at a glance
Country center
-10.0°, -55.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
8,515,767 km²
3,287,955 mi²
Country population
216.4 million
25/km²
Subregion
South America
Currency
Brazilian real (R$)
BRL
Dial
+55
Language
Portuguese
Demonym
Brazilian
Internet
.br
UN
Member state
ISO code
BR / BRA
Where in the world
-10.0° - -55.0°
Brazil
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Salvador was Brazil's first colonial capital and a major center of Afro-Brazilian culture.
- The Pelourinho historic center is UNESCO-listed.
- Salvador was Brazil's first capital, ruling the colony from 1549 until 1763.
- Brazil shares a border with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador.
- The Amazon rainforest produces ~6% of the world's oxygen: and 60% of the Amazon is in Brazil.
Bordering Brazil
Traveler notes
- Pelourinho walking tour with a local
- Acarajé at Baiana stalls
- Itaparica Island ferry (40 min)
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Verify swim safety, ocean conditions, and water-quality reports by month.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Salvador
What currency is used in Salvador?
Salvador uses the Brazilian real (R$), ISO code BRL.
What languages are spoken in Brazil?
The primary language is Portuguese.
What is the international calling code for Brazil?
The calling code is +55.
What airport serves Salvador?
Deputado Luiz Eduardo Magalhães International Airport (IATA: SSA).
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