10 TOP Things to Do in Grande Recife March 2026

#Olinda #Unesco

Olinda foi fundada em 1535 e é a mais antiga entre as cidades brasileiras declaradas Patrimônio Histórico e Cultural da Humanidade pela UNESCO. Olinda abriga dezenas de igrejas e conventos barrocos de inestimável valor histórico e mantém o seu traçado urbano colonial. Foi também eleita a primeira Capital Brasileira da Cultura.

Olinda was founded in 1535 and is the oldest among Brazilian cities declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Olinda houses dozens of baroque churches and convents of inestimable historical value and maintains its colonial urban layout. It was also elected the first Brazilian Capital of Culture.

Olinda is a colonial town on Brazil’s northeast coast, near the city of Recife. Founded in 1535 by the Portuguese, it’s built on steep hillsides and distinguished by its 18th-century architecture, baroque churches, convents, monasteries and brightly painted houses. Originally a center for the sugarcane industry, it’s now known as an artists’ colony, with many galleries, workshops and museums.

Grande Recife Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Grande Recife has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Grande Recife, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Grande Recife with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Grande Recife

Grande Recife is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Grande Recife, and make it a breeze to explore Grande Recife and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Grande Recife to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Grande Recife, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Grande Recife.

Grande Recife attractions

Grande Recife has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Grande Recife to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Grande Recife.

Looking for things to do in Grande Recife can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Grande Recife or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Grande Recife attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Recommended things to do in Grande Recife

Number of things to do	22
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia	Experience the Best of Recife and Olinda: £25
Top 5 things to do	City Tour Recife And Olinda Porto de Galinhas Tour Carneiros Beach Day Tour City Tour Olinda And Recife Antigo From Porto De Galinhas Shopping Tour in Recife
Half-day tours	Instituto Ricardo Brennand with transfers from Recife Recife: Private custom walking tour with a local guide Ricardo Brennand Institute with Transfer from Recife Recife Custom Private Walking Tour with A Guide
With kids	City Tour Recife And Olinda Porto de Galinhas Tour Carneiros Beach Day Tour City Tour Olinda And Recife Antigo From Porto De Galinhas Shopping Tour in Recife

What to do in Grande Recife

Popular places to visit

Ipojuca which includes tropical scenes, swimming and a sandy beach

Muro Alto Beach

Set on Brazil’s glorious northeastern coastline, this beach is the place to idle about on the soft sand and swim in the transparent water.

Maracaipe Beach

Ride big waves, swim in tidal pools and spot seahorses at this alluring beach in the southern region of Ipojuca.

Boa Viagem Beach

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Boa Viagem Beach during your travels in Recife?

Porto de Galinhas, Brazil. The natural pools, known as 'piscinas naturais,' are what make this town famous and attract visitors to swim alongside colorful fish and explore the vibrant coral reefs

Porto de Galinhas Natural Pools

If a restful holiday is part of your travel plans, Porto de Galinhas Natural Pools might be the perfect place to visit during your trip to Recife. Wander the clear-water beaches or discover the area's coral reefs.

Gaibu Beach

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Gaibu Beach during your travels in Recife?

Merepe Beach

If a restful holiday is part of your travel plans, Merepe Beach might be the perfect place to visit during your trip to Recife. Wander the clear-water beaches or discover the area's coral reefs.

Recife Antigo is at the heart of the most charming part of town: the island of Recife Antigo, which means Old Recife and, as you can tell from its name, is full of history. Although quite small, it holds many attractions for tourists and locals alike, and walking around its cobbled streets and looking up to its beautiful buildings is already worth your while.

Praça Rio Branco

Find out about the history of Recife with a stop at Praça Rio Branco. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

Shopping RioMar

You can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Shopping RioMar during your stay in Recife. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

Porto de Galinhas Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Porto de Galinhas Beach during your trip to Ipojuca? Wander the clear-water beaches or discover the area's coral reefs.

Explore areas of Grande Recife

Porto de Galinhas

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Join surfers and nature lovers that flock year-round to the glorious beaches of this coastal town.

Boa Viagem

3.5/5(5 area reviews)

Visitors often come to Boa Viagem for its beaches, but many stay to explore sights like Praça Boa Viagem and Shopping Recife. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you take a ride at Airport Station.

Porto de Galinhas which includes swimming, a sandy beach and general coastal views

Ipojuca Centro

If you're spending some time in Ipojuca Centro, Porto de Galinhas Beach and Porto de Galinhas Natural Pools are top sights worth seeing.

Boa Vista

Travellers like the theatres in Boa Vista, and Rua da Aurora is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Pina

5/5(1 area review)

Pina is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Pina Beach and Shopping RioMar.

Piedade

Piedade is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Guararapes Shopping and Piedade Beach.

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