Top Things to Do in Olinda - Olinda Must-See Attractions
Things to Do in Olinda
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Centro Historico de Olinda, Church and Monastery of Sao Bento, Churches & Cathedrals, Points of Interest & Landmarks.
Centro Historico de Olinda, Church and Monastery of Sao Bento, Churches & Cathedrals, Points of Interest & Landmarks.
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See what other travellers like to do, based on ratings and number of bookings.
Book these experiences for a closer look at the region.
Historical Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)RM 111- fromper adult (price varies by group size)RM 659
- fromper adultRM 444
Historical Toursfromper adultRM 80- fromper adultRM 9,787
Historical Toursfromper group (up to 6)RM 1,376- fromper group (up to 4)RM 399
Historical Toursfromper group (up to 4)RM 360
Full-day Toursfromper adultRM 489
Full-day Toursfromper adultRM 120
Churches & Cathedrals
Observation Decks & Towers
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Religious Sites
Religious Sites
Other Top Attractions around Olinda
What travellers are saying
- מוטי לKarmiel, Israel563 contributionsone of the most spectacular colonial sites of brazil. narrow lanes, colorful houses, boutique and unique shops worth at least few hours of tour.Written 4 February 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- KarenM1_10Bloomfield Hills, Michigan1,043 contributionsThere are several churches to see in Olinda. However, this is the only one that we visited with a tour offered by Do Brazil Right. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The interior is relatively small but still stunning. We walked down to the cathedral from the Alto Do Se Viewpoint.Written 26 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TheCount69Rochdale, UK879 contributionsA very old looking cathedral, nothing spectacular to look at from the outside but lovely inside, it was difficult to get in as their was a mass on when we was there. The views form outside over the bay are great. The cathedral is well worth the visit though, a few marker stalls nearby selling local goods and souvenirsWritten 8 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Leo ALondon, UK62 contributionsIt’s pretty cool!
Not very big, but quite interesting to get a feeling of the traditional Olinda carnival.Written 16 December 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - belleretraiteMontreal, Canada7,762 contributionsWe went to the top of the tower to check the views over the city of Olinda , the sea and the high rises of Recife . The architecture also influenced the great Le Corbusier and the architects who participate in the design of Brazilia !Written 8 February 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Aline BRInterlaken, Switzerland279 contributionsThe square was ready for Christmas and lots of music on the weekends! Food and drinks are available very reasonable prices.Written 17 December 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- saronicZurich, Switzerland28,647 contributionsAt the end of the Rua de Sào Bento in the Varadouro quarter of Olinda one will find the big complex of the 'Mosteiro de Sào Bento' with the comparatively not very big church in its right hand corner and with just a small tower. In the then popular baroque style it was built during a period o about hundred years between 1660 and 1760, after the first church here had burnt down.
To visit the interior of the church - the only part of the monastery open to the public - one should come during the week, to be able to look in peace at all the details, especially at the gilded altar. The charm of a Sunday visit after 10am is to be able to listen to Gregorian chanting in the then usually fully packed basilica, to which it had been elevated by Pope John Paul II.
The entry 'Basilica de Sào Bento' refers to the same attraction as Tripadvisor's entry 'Church and Monastery of Sào Bento'.Written 18 October 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Edward D.Lucena, PB4,577 contributionsWhen you say “Carnaval”, most people think of Rio de Janeiro, but Carnaval is celebrated throughout Brazil, with different cities and regions celebrating differently. Olinda is a town in the northeast of Brazil (founded in 1535), and is one of the best-preserved colonial cities in Brazil.
Olinda’s Carnaval celebration is very popular and their celebrations include the samba music you’d hear in Rio de Janeiro, but they also have their own music: Frevo, Maracatu, Ciranda and Coco. Also, they are famous for their giant puppets that resemble famous people worldwide and Brazilian celebrities. They stand about 10-12 feet tall and weigh as much as 60 pounds, which must make it difficult for the puppeteers to walk the steep cobblestone streets.
About 1 million people come to this town during carnaval to drink, dance and watch the various Carnaval blocks perform. You can pay to watch the processions pass from the upper floors of private houses (about $15 per person for the day); you could also rent one of these houses for the month (they charge about $2000), but I think the best way to experience this is in the street, among the crushing throngs of people.
There are food stands all through the city selling inexpensive street food; cold beers can be bought for as little as $1 for a can of beer. Many of the city’s restaurants remain open during Carnaval, but you’d better come early, because they will be full very quickly and then you’re going to wait to be seated.
Don’t even think of trying to get into Olinda by car. Park outside the old city and walk in. This is what everyone does. You can stay in the nearby city of Recife (about 15 minute ride) or the next state’s capital, Joao Pessoa (about a 2 ½ hour ride). I did the second and it cost $20 per person for a goup of 15 of us. The driver took us there and waited outside Olinda for 5 hours and then drove us back, so not a bad deal. It’s probably much cheaper if you’re leaving from Recife because it’s so close.
As with any street festival with lots of people, be aware of your surroundings. Don’t wear a watch or other jewelry (that’s the advice I’d give for most places in Brazil, unfortunately) and everything should be fine. I didn’t see or hear about any violence while I was there, but when one million people are stuffed into an area about 16 square miles, you have to think about safety. There are lots of police.
They have very few public toilets, but many businesses charge $1 to $2 to use a private bathroom, which is money well-spent.
In all, Carnaval in Olinda is a unique experience, you may either love or hate it, but you’ll never see anything else like it.Written 26 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BGreen416Toronto, Canada64 contributionsWe took a private tour of this convent built in the mid-1600s. We were scouting a location for a wedding and this place was stunning. Initially, it comes across as very old but a tour of the guest rooms revealed an exceptional and unique guest experience. It overlooks the popular Isle de Vila Franco do Campo but is a bit of a drive from Ponta Delgata. Very worth a visitWritten 11 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Edward D.Lucena, PB4,577 contributionsThis small museum is located inside another location which also has other art exhibits. “Mamulengos” are puppets, but more than that—they are puppets from the northeast of Brazil, so they are culturally significant (and fun too!).
The entry fee is a paltry $1, and considering how cute the items on display are, I strongly recommend a visit.Written 7 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
