How to spend 4 days in Recife, Olinda, and Porto de Galinhas: Ultimate Pernambuco travel itinerary

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Recife, often referred to as the Venice of Brazil, is a city shaped by its rivers, which wind through neighbourhoods before meeting the Atlantic Ocean. It is also a historic centre of colonial Brazil, where pastel coloured buildings sit beside modern high rises, and music spills out into the streets. In the epicenter of Pernambuco culture, you'll find frevo dancers with colourful umbrellas, hear Maracatu music on the streets, and enjoy long lunches of arrumadinho, fresh grilled fish, and cold beer by the water.

In a few days you can explore the historic island of Recife Antigo, take a boat along the Capibaribe River, relax on the beaches of Boa Viagem, and watch the sunset over the coastline from Olinda. Add in a day trip to Porto de Galinhas, and you will experience some of the best of Brazil’s northeast in a short time.

This itinerary combines Recife’s historic centre with its modern coastal lifestyle, giving you a mix of history, culture, delicious food, and some much needed time to relax on the beach.

Historic buildings with domes by the waterfront under a colorful sky in Recife. People sitting and walking along the promenade; boats on the water.

Things to know about travelling to Recife, Pernambuco

Must-Try Dish: Arrumadinho, baião de dois, and macaxeira com charque
Regional Music: Frevo, maracatu, and manguebeat
Top activity: Watching sunset from Alto da Sé in Olinda
Souvenir to look for: Hand-painted carnival masks and tiny frevo umbrellas
Best Time to Go: September-November (the dry, cooler months). Recife is very hot during the summer. Unless you plan to attend Carnival in Recife and Olinda, avoid during the high season due to inflated accomodation prices.

Ultimate 4 day travel itinerary for Recife, Olinda, and Porto de Galinhas:

This 4 day travel itinerary for Recife, Olinda and Porto de Galinhas will help you explore some gems in the northeastern state of Pernambuco. It combines time in the historic centre, beautiful beaches, Pernambuco's regional music (frevo and maracatu), and of course the delicious cuisine of the northeast.

Day 1: Explore Recife Antigo & the Statue Park

Colorful historic buildings in Recife with red, blue, and yellow facades line a street by a river under a cloudy sky. Cars and pedestrians visible.

Morning: Explore Recife Antigo

After breakfast, head to Recife Antigo, the city’s historic centre located on an island at the mouth of the Capibaribe River.

Walk along cobbled streets lined with restored colonial buildings. You won't have time to see everything, but stop a few of the sites that interest you the most:

Rua do Bom Jesus, one of the most colourful and photographed streets in the city
Marco Zero Square, the symbolic heart of Recife
Santa Isabel Theatre
São Pedro dos Clérigos Cathedral
Casa da Cultura, a former prison turned craft market, where each cell now houses a small shop selling regional handicrafts
Paço do Frevo, a museum dedicated to frevo, the fast paced dance and music style that defines Pernambuco’s Carnival.
Cais do Sertão in Recife Antigo, a strong museum about northeastern culture

Lunch

Have lunch at a riverside restaurant in the city centre, with views over the water and passing boats.

Afternoon: Boat Tour on the Capibaribe River

After lunch, take a boat tour along the Capibaribe River, which gives a different perspective of the city. Most tours last around 1.5 hours, passing under bridges and through different parts of the historic centre, offering a view of Recife that you cannot get from the streets. Most boat tours start and finish at Marco Zero Square.

Late Afternoon: Sunset at the Statue Park

In the late afternoon, head to Parque de Esculturas Francisco Brennand to watch the sunset. This open air park sits just across from Marco Zero and is best visited later in the day when it's cooler. Arrive around 4 pm to walk among the sculptures and watch the sun set over the city.

The park requires a short boat or water taxi ride from Marco Zero, which is conveniently the same place you will finish your boat tour.

Evening: Dinner in Recife

Return to the city for dinner and try some of Pernambuco’s traditional dishes:

Arrumadinho – sun dried beef, black eyed beans, vinaigrette, and farofa, neatly arranged separately on the plate
Baião de dois - rice, queijo coalho (cheese), beans, and meats, mixed and served together
Dobradinha – a slow cooked tripe stew
You might also notice bode (goat) on the menu, which is typical in this region

For a casual and local experience, try Bodega de Véio, known for simple, traditional food and a relaxed atmosphere.

Day 2: Beach and a Medieval Castle

Morning: Boa Viagem Beach

Start the day at Boa Viagem Beach, the main urban beach in Recife. Be aware that parts of the water have shark warnings. Follow local advice on where is safe to swim.

Relax by the water
Walk along the palm lined boardwalk
Stop at a beachfront restaurant for fresh seafood and cold drinks

If you want somewhere quieter, make a short stop at Pina Beach, located just north of Boa Viagem.

Have an early afternoon lunch by the beach. Many beach-side restaurants serve fresh seafood, such as grilled fish, shrimp, and shellfish, usually served with rice, beans, salad and farofa.

Afternoon: Instituto Ricardo Brennand

In the afternoon, head to Instituto Ricardo Brennand, located about 30-40 minutes drive from Boa Viagem. This cultural complex is set within a medieval style castle and is one of the most important museums in Brazil.

Collection includes European and Brazilian art, armour, weapons, and rare books
Large landscaped gardens surrounding the buildings

Note: The museum is open from 1 pm to 5 pm and is closed on Mondays, so plan your timing accordingly.

Evening: Live Music in Recife

Recife has a strong live music scene, especially connected to frevo, maracatu, and manguebeat.

In the evening, head out to a bar or live music venue to experience it firsthand. Areas around Recife Antigo and other central neighbourhoods often have small venues with live performances.

Day 3: Take a day trip to Olinda

Colonial townscape with colorful tiled roofs and white walls under clear blue sky in Olinda. A historic church tops the hill, surrounded by trees.

Morning: Explore Olinda

Take a short 20 minute drive north to Olinda, a UNESCO listed colonial town set on hills overlooking Recife. Stroll through cobbled streets lined with colourful 18th century buildings, and explore small ateliers and art galleries.

Stop in at Casa dos Bonecos Gigantes, home to the giant Carnival puppets used during Olinda's Carnival blocos.

Lunch

For lunch, stop at Oficina do Sabor, known for creative takes on regional dishes such as jackfruit, sun dried beef, and seafood.

Afternoon: Viewpoints and Churches

In the afternoon, continue exploring Olinda:

Head to Alto da Sé for panoramic views over Recife and the Atlantic coast
Visit Igreja da Sé and other baroque churches scattered throughout the town
Browse artisan shops selling ceramics, paintings, and woodwork

Evening: Dinner in Olinda

If you would like to stay in Olinda for dinner, head to Beijupirá Olinda. It is one of the most well known restaurants in the area and focuses on northeastern Brazilian cuisine, with dishes that include regional ingredients like macaxeira, seafood, and local meats. It is a good place to try combinations typical of Pernambuco in a more refined setting.

Alternatively, head back to Recife for a meal and relax.

Day 4: Day Trip to Porto de Galinhas

Crowded beach scene in Porto de Galinhas with people swimming, sailing, and relaxing under colorful umbrellas. Palm trees and cloudy sky in the background.

Morning: Porto de Galinhas

Travel about one hour south to Porto de Galinhas, one of Brazil’s most well known beach destinations, known for its clear natural pools, white sand, and small coastal village.

Start your morning at Praia da Vila, where at low tide you can take a jangada, a traditional wooden raft, out to the natural reef pools located just offshore. These shallow pools form between coral reefs and are filled with tropical fish, making it possible to swim in calm, clear water only a few metres from the beach.

Note: It is best to check the tide schedule in advance, as the natural pools can only be visited at low tide.

Lunch

Have lunch at a beachfront restaurant, where menus focus on fresh seafood such as grilled fish, prawns, and moqueca.

Afternoon: Explore the Village of Porto de Galinhas

Spend the afternoon exploring the centre of Porto de Galinhas. Walk through the small streets lined with shops and cafés, and browse stalls selling handmade lace, local cachaça, and beachwear.

Or, just return to the beach to relax, read a book, and drink a caipirinha.