Olinda – Pernambuco, Brazil is perfect if you are a history lover, a colonial past is persevering. In addition, this offers a rich tropical climate that will give a little color to your life.
Things to do
Admire Olinda’s Architecture
From the top of the center, you can glimpse a landscape of terracotta tiles along with needles of some Baroque churches pointing towards the sky, certainly framed by an abundant and beautiful tropical foliage with turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is said that Gabriel García Márquez was inspired by Olinda for his fictional city of Macondo in the great novel One Hundred Years of Solitude, certainly a fascinating place insight.
Olinda Carnival
Of course, its past makes Olinda famous, but in its carnivals, it is not far behind because it is one of the most active cities in these celebrations. Enjoy and join the locals in these lively parties where they will walk the narrow streets of the hillsides dancing folk dances, frevo, and maracatu. You will undoubtedly be ecstatic with so much color because in these parties there are plenty of costumes and decorated dolls that bring fun to the celebration.
São Francisco Convent
Just like the Sé, it is the oldest church in the city. This is located on a hill from where you can enjoy a privileged view of Olinda and its landscapes. On the other hand, it is also one of the first temples built throughout the Brazilian territory. Among all the temples you could visit, this is one of the best for you to enjoy its great history.
Ribeira Market
This is a place that you can not miss, especially for you to take a bit of Olinda with you because it is a building built at the end of the 17th century and that offers a very interesting proposal inside. The market is home to many stores that sell beautiful local crafts, such as the characteristic masks made with paper mache. Here you will find places that are dedicated to making engravings, paintings and sculptures especially of the history of the city.
How to get there
The closest airport to Olinda is Recife Internation Airport (REC). Most Airlines will take you directly to Recife Internation Airport. You can take a taxi from outside the airport and its a 20-minute drive to Olinda. There is a number of car rentals outside the airport as well, so if you decide to rent a car for your trip, you can do this at Recife. You can also take a bus or train there but the route is slight more complicated so I don’t recommend it.
When to go
The weather in Olinda is warm and humid throughout the year. Carnival is a mobile party, depending on the dates of Lent and Easter, so you should check. The pre-Carnival celebrations in Olinda begin before those in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador.
How long
The carnival in Olinda usually lasts 5 days. Therefore, if you want to enjoy this, in addition to knowing the galleries and other activities, it is recommended that you stay for more than a week.
Opening and Closing Hours
It is recommended to know Olinda early, enjoy its colors and culture. This will also make your trip completely entertaining because the galleries usually open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Planning
You cannot miss the beaches of Olinda, as is Janca. On the other hand, visit art exhibitions and fill yourself with history. Some buildings have their paintings worn but do not be fooled, because there is still much beauty inside.
Inside Information
Remember to book your plane ticket in advance to avoid any problems that may complicate your trip. Also, pack comfortable clothes and get ready, because at the carnival you will dance a lot. On the other hand, there are multiple hotels to choose from depending on what you want, some examples of these are 7 hills hotel or also the posada Baoba.
History
Olinda is undoubtedly the jewel of the country’s colonial crown. Certainly, this was founded by Portuguese settlers in 1537, and the spirit of its original settlers still clings to the winding cobbled streets. These are bordered by beautiful houses with lattice balconies and stucco walls painted in bright colors. In addition, thanks to a colony of resident artists, Olinda today has numerous galleries and workshops to explore. They also exhibit regional works of art, including colorful terracotta figures.
Websites
Other Nearby Attractions
Cristo Redentor
Currently one of the nine wonders of the world, it is located on the top of the Corcovado hill in the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. This beautiful monument has a height of 38 meters and is 709 meters above sea level, it is considered as the emblem and icon of all Brazil. From this imposing place, you can enjoy a great view of all Rio de Janeiro, simply wonderful.
Ibirapuera Park
In addition to being the most frequented and well-known park in São Paulo, it is also one of the most important areas of culture and leisure in the city. This is idealized by icons like Oscar Niemeyer, in the molds of large world parks. Ibirapuera attracts all types of audiences. From the sportsmen, who go to take advantage of the cooper track, to Ciclovía, the bicicletário, the stables and soccer fields; to those who go in search of culture, frequenters of the OCA, Auditorium, Afro Museum, Biennial, MAM, among others. You certainly can’t miss it.
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