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Recife
Capital city of Pernambuco, Brazil

Recife

Recife is the state capital of Pernambuco, Brazil, on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America.

Plan a trip to Recife→From João Pessoa

It is the largest urban area within both the North and the Northeast Region of Brazil. It is the largest city in Pernambuco state, and the fourth-largest urban area in all of Brazil; the metro population of the city of Recife was 3,726,974 in 2022. Recife was founded in 1537, serving as the main harbor of the Captaincy of Pernambuco—known for its large-scale production of sugar cane. At one point, it was known as Mauritsstad, when it served as the capital city of the 17th century colony of New Holland of Dutch Brazil. Situated at the confluence of the Beberibe and Capibaribe rivers, before they drain into the South Atlantic Ocean, Recife is a major seaport along the Brazilian Atlantic coast. Its name is an allusion to the stone reefs that are present offshore. Together with the urban presence of the Beberibe and Capibaribe rivers and their tributaries, the many additional unique, small islands—and more than 50 bridges linking them throughout the city—create a distinct maritime or "riviera" atmosphere, leading to Recife being known as the "Venice of Brazil".

Get in

Getting to Recife

  1. 01
    Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport

    A modern, efficient, user-friendly and close to the city.

  2. 02
    Terminal Integrado de Passageiros

    Recife's long-distance bus terminal is way out in the suburbs.

See

Worth seeing

Recife is known for its amazing beaches.

Do

Things to do

Maracatu Rehearsals (ensaios de maracatu). Some of the most traditional maracatu (Pernambuco-style carnaval dances and parades) groups include: Leão Coroado (since 1863), Estrela Brilhante do Recife (since 1909), Porto Rico (since 1916), Cambinda Estrela do Recife (since 1935), and Elefante, among others.

  1. 01
    Aflitos Stadium)
  2. 02
    Ilha do Retiro Stadium)
  3. 03
    Arruda Stadium)

    As of 2025 Sport plays in the B-Series of the Brazilian Championship, Náutico in the C-Series and Santa Cruz is in the D-Series.

Eat

Where to eat

Pernambuco has a multicultural gastronomy with African and indigenous influences, among others. The national dish Feijoada (a stew of beans, pork and beef, served with rice and Farofa) is not very popular in Recife.

  1. 01
    Chica Pitanga

    Rua Petrolina, 19 - Boa Viagem,.

  2. 02
    Creperia Anjo Solto

    Herculano Bandeira, 513 (Galeria Joana D'Arc, shop 14).

  3. 03
    Bercy Boa Viagem
  4. 04
    Papaya Verde

    Self-service restaurant with delicious Middle Eastern food.

  5. 05
    Brotfabrik

    Rua da Moeda 87 (Recife Antigo), info@brotfabrik.com.br.

How locals move

Getting around Recife the local way

  • Get inFrom there you can take an intercity bus or shared ride with Blablacar to Recife.
  • Get inHourly from João Pessoa From Maceió from R$80 (April 2021) Especially from Maceió and Natal you can get a better price from the frequent shared rides.

From Wikivoyage: Recife, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.

Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see file page), Wikimedia Commons.