Recife is an intense city, vibrant in its cultural diversity, unique in its history and appealing in its tourist attractions. Recife is a place full of song and enchantment.

The city is a great centre of commerce and services which, alongside industries such as garments, furniture and agricultural products, account for Pernambuco’s 2.7% of the Brazilian GDP. The information technology, gypsum and medical services sectors are taking on an increasing importance on the national scene. A dynamic economy, the driving force behind tourism in the region.

Recife has a population of 1.421.993 inhabitants that live in an area of 218.7 sq.km. Located 4m above the sea level, it has a tropical climate and an average temperature of 28ºC (85ºF), favored by a permanent and gentle breeze blowing from the se. with regards to its geographical position, Recife is the best starting point to get acquainted with this State and the Northeast, in addition to offering an ample scope os attractions, good services, and business opportunities. Among the sites and tourist attractions in the Recife Metropolitan Region, the main landmarks are Olinda, World Heritage City; the beaches of Gaibu, Porto de Galinhas, Calhetas, Paraíso, and Serrambi; the ecological and nautical leisure complex in the Northern part of the Pernambuco coastline; Veneza Water Park. And, only 130 km away from Recife there is Caruaru, "Capital os the Forró".

Culture is in every corner of Recife. It is engraved in the ancient churches, in the fortresses, in the mansions, and in other historical buildings as a strong token of the Portuguese and Dutch presence at the times of colonial Brazil. It is the culture that turns Recife into a highlight, be either the plastic arts, theater – where it holds the third place in ranking nationwide -, music, with is combination of local sounds with pop and world rhythms, the film arts or literature.

In terms of leisure, the city offers the best in shopping and outings. Boa Viagem, one of the most beautiful urban beaches in Brazil; the bars and clubs of Old Recife, which radiate light and colour among the 18^th century buildings,; the Casa da Cultura, the centre for selling handicraft from all over the state, located in an old prison. It’s well worth visiting the studio of Francisco Brennand, one of greatest exponents of Brazilian art, and taste the delicious surprises of the local cuisine by going to one of the many restaurants in Recife, the third gastronomic centre of Brazil. All of this imbued with Recife’s cultural vitality, with its folk festivals, artistic displays and diverse rthythms, such as Frevo and Maracatu.

Olinda

Known nationwide for its exuberant carnival and history, Olinda is considered to be part of Greater Recife. The distance between the two cities is only 7km. The first capital of Pernambuco and a pioneer in the development of Brazil’s literature, theatre, painting, sculpture and law schools, Olinda has been awarded the UNESCO title of World Cultural Heritage Monument. In the four days of carnival, thousands of tourists fill the sloping streets of the old town. It is one of the most irreverent and lively carnivals in Brazil.

Olinda is a fascinating place, with narrow winding streets, artists’ studios, lots of greenery and a beautiful view of the blue sea. All of its historical sites just have to be seen. From the Alto da Sé and other points, there is an unforgettable view of Olinda and Recife.

Medium-sized hotels, lodges and cosy bed & breakfast places, in addition to typical bars and restaurants, make up the complete receptive infrastructure of Olinda. ThePernambuco Convention Centre is located in Olinda, on the edge of Recife.

Jaboatão dos Guararapes

Jaboatão, only 14km from Recife, in its National Historical Park retains the mark of the decisive battles fought against the Dutch in the Pernambuco War of Restoration. The Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres church, breathtaking viewpoints and a museum with diorama and panels that illustrate the battles can all be found within the park.

The city also has old sugar mills and beautiful beaches such as Piedade, Candeias and Barra de Jangada, with excellent hotel and tourist infrastructure.

Igarassu

Facing the sea and only 31km north of Recife, the city has preserved a historical relic: the church of Saints Cosme and Damião, built in 1535 and thus the oldest in Brazil. The baroque architecture of Igarassu is most typical of the Northeast.

The Sítio dos Marcos (Stone Markers) is a must for the tourist. This was where the Captaincies of Pernambuco and Itamaracá were delineated and where, in 1516, Cristóvão Jacques established the Stewardship of Pernambuco. On this site, on 9^th March 1535, Duarte Coelho landed to take possession of his Captaincy, thus commencing the Portuguese colonisation of Brazil.

Caruaru, 136km from Recife, is a place that breathes joy and culture. The largest centre of human figure sculpture in the Americas, Alto do Moura, is located in Caruaru and is home to more than 200 artists specialised in ceramics. The famous Caruaru market is another attraction, with stalls selling local foods and drinks as well as the typical handicrafts.

In São João, Caruaru is taken over by festivities. Shows of Forró and other rhythms, square dancing, bonfires, fireworks and corn are some of the ingredients that make up the event. Locals and tourists that throng the town every year have given Caruaru the title "Capital of Forró".

At Easter, the town is an obligatory stop on the way to see the Passion Play at Fazenda Nova, 60km from Caruaru.

Beaches

Boa Viagem

Seven kilometres of sea-front, where the sea is calm, with natural pools formed by the reefs. At any time of the day the waters of Boa Viagem are warm, around 26ºC. Elegant apartment blocks and buildings, bars, restaurants, hotels, gardens, leisure areas, kiosks for fresh coconut water and a busy paved promenade complete the scenario of one of the most beautiful and urbanized beaches in Brazil.

Porto de Galinhas

Situated in the municipality of Ipojuca, Porto de Galinhas is the liveliest beach in the state. 60km south of Recife, Porto combines natural beauty with excellent tourist facilities and a part of Pernambuco’s history: the beach used to be a slave trading point. Along its white sands, you can reach Muro Alto, whose name comes from a wall of coral that surrounds its natural pools, and the deserted beach of Gamboa. Among other nearby beaches are Maracaípe, which faces an open sea with strong waves that have made it a venue for international surf championships, and Serrambi, known for its calm blue waters and sophisticated condominiums.

Maria Farinha

Maria Farinha is situated in the municipality of Paulista, 19km north of Recife. The beach is a large complex for water sports and leisure, where windsurf, Hobie Cat and jet ski can be enjoyed.

The local tourist infrastructure includes leisure hotels and marinas, offering the visitor options such as boat, catamaran or microlight trips. Beside Maria Farinha, the beaches of Janga, Pau Amarelo and Conceição make up a coastline with warm waters and beautiful landscapes.

The tourist can enjoy nature and visit the old churches, the ruins of the Matriz de Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres de Maranguape and the Fort of Pau Amarelo, historical landmarks and examples of religiosity and patriotism.

One of the charming features of Maria Farinha is the Coroa do Avião, a small island where migratory birds land.

Also in Maria Farinha is Veneza Water Park, which occupies an area of 90 thousand square metres with a whole range of amusements, restaurants and bars.

Itamaracá

The island of Itamaracá, 50km north of Recife, is one of the great tourist treasures of Pernambuco, because of its historical value and leisure facilities. The lanscape is covered with beautiful sugarcane plantations, such as Engenho São João with its mansion house. Don’t miss Forte Orange, one of the largest fortresses in the Northeast (1631), Vila Velha, with its beautiful 18^th century church and Lia’s Ciranda.

The island is a fantasy world, which blends a history of battles and glory with handicrafts, a wealth of folklore, calm seas, walking trails and delicious cuisine. Everything is unforgettable and inspires the imagination.

Also in Itamaracá are the beaches of Pontal-da-Ilha and Sossego.

Cabo de Santo Agostinho

Cabo de Santo Agostinho, 40km south of Recife, is part of an important chapter in the history of Brazil. According to some historians, on 26^th January 1500, the Spanish sailor Vicente Pinzón landed here, three months before Pedro Álvares Cabral, the official discoverer of Brazil.

Cabo is a place with beautiful landscapes, a warm sea and bars beside the beaches of Paraíso, Calhetas and Gaibu, three of the most famous.

Fernando de Noronha

Paradise. This is usually the first word spoken by those who try to define Fernando de Noronha. They can but try, for the Archipelago is unbelievably beautiful. It has to be seen to be believed. Designated as an Environmental Preservation Area, Fernando de Noronha offers options such as diving, ecological trails, deep sea fishing and boat trips. The visitor can get a close look at dolphins, turtles, sharks, sea horses, and innumerable species of fish.

The local accomodation is simple, but very homely. The island is about one hour by plane from Recife.