Barra lighthouse
At the fort.
Sidiney90 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Romerito Pontes from São Carlos — CC BY 2.0 · Ruy Carvalho — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Rodrigo Câmara de Araújo — CC BY-SA 3.0
Farol da Barra beach runs through Salvador's Barra district from the Fort of Santo Antônio da Barra, home of the famous Barra lighthouse, eastwards along Avenida Oceânica, about five kilometres from the city centre, facing the open Atlantic. Reefs shelter part of the beach, so at low tide natural pools and small waves form that are good for swimming and light snorkelling, while the waves grow towards its far end, which draws surfers. Because it faces the open ocean rather than the bay, sunset behind the lighthouse is one of Salvador's finest sights, and people gather on the sand and the fort's walls to watch it. The beach is at the heart of Salvador's tourist life, lined with hotels, restaurants and kiosks, and the promenade along it is a favourite for walking and running; at Carnival the famous Barra-Ondina parade passes here. Round off a visit by climbing the lighthouse and seeing the Nautical Museum inside the fort, then walk west to the calm Porto da Barra beach. Swim in the natural pools at low tide, and watch your belongings on the sand.
At the fort.
At low tide.
Along the ocean.
Avenida Oceânica, Barra, Salvador
Farol da Barra (Santo Antônio da Barra Fort)Farol da Barra, the Barra lighthouse, is the popular name of the Fort of Santo A6 minutes walk4.7
Forte de Santa Maria (Espaço Pierre Verger)At the southern end of Porto da Barra, the beach Salvador's people love most, th11 minutes walk4.6
Porto da Barra BeachPorto da Barra is a short beach, about 300 metres, in Salvador's Barra district 11 minutes walk4.5
Museu de Arte da BahiaThe Bahia Museum of Art is the oldest museum in the state, founded in 1918 and a23 minutes walk4.8At low tide, when natural pools form among the reefs and the waves are small.