Compare past and present with a tour of modern Recife and colonial-era Olinda. Take a panoramic ride through Recife, crossing graceful bridges in the old town areas and on the way, you will drive along the scenic shoreline through Boa Viagem, passing the imposing colonial-era Governor’s Mansion and Santa Isabel Theater. Arrive in charming Olinda and begin exploring. Founded in 1534 and named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, historic Olinda retains many fine examples of colonial-era architecture, despite the Dutch burning down much of the city in the early 17th century. Visit Sé Cathedral and admire its Portuguese tiles and gilded carvings. Stop for a photo of the picturesque views of Recife and Boa Viagem, and enjoy a refreshing beverage before returning to your Hotel.
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 4.
Coconut water to drink
Walk around the old town area
The oldest street witch holds the first synagogue of the American continent.
The Republic Square holds very important and beautiful buildings: Government Palace; Santa Isabel theater; palace of Justice; giant Baobab tree.
A former prison now a handcraft shop. Over one hundred and fifty cells spread on it’s cross form corredors.
Crusted on seven hills, this UNESCO heritage site has the best Portuguese colonial village you will see in Brazil.
Pick up at any accommodation inside the metropolitan area of Recife.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Excurgo comparison of 131 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Recife & Olinda Highlights lasts about 8 hours. The itinerary has 6 stops.
Prices start at $310 per person for this Recife experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:00 AM.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Yes, pickup is offered. Pick up at any accommodation inside the metropolitan area of Recife. Pickup points include Pousada Maria Bonita, Marante Plaza Hotel.
The experience is available in EN, ES.
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 6 travellers can book together.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Specialized infant seats are available
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 20 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Recife Private Tours.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Leo was the perfect guide for Recife and Orinda. His knowledge of history and the cities made the tour great. Leo was a flexible tour guide, adjusting his tour to what I was hoping to see. Enough churches, history, government, shopping and touristy spots for my taste. Just what I was looking for when I saw his tour listed on viator. Leo is knowledgeable and a very friendly personable tour guide. Thank you for making my day/trip excellent.
Had the most amazing day in Recife and Olinda with Leonardo (13 June). I had one special request that he would show me some of the locations where the film O Agente Secreto was filmed and he took on that challenge like a star! Got to see the most known locations in the centre of Recife as well as visit a carnaval group in Olinda to buy a T-shirt (Pitombeira). Learned a lot about Pernambuco incl. music and culture such as the Frevo dance which originated here. Also saw the giant puppets used at Carnaval (own museum). I so enjoyed this area of Brazil and Leo certainly made my first visit great with his great knowledge and happy attitude! Pernambuco é meu país! 🇧🇷
Leo was a fantastic guide! Not only was he informative, helpful and engaging, he and his driver Moises were able to keep us ahead of the cruise ship tour buses so that our small group had all of the Olinda and Recife sites to ourselves. Highly recommended!
Leonardo Rodrigues Ferreira (02426942410) was my guide for this tour. He is exceptional; 10/10. He picked me up at my hotel in a new vehicle and I was returned safely to my hotel. As I was traveling solo, it was especially good to feel safe and respected. He is very knowledgeable, shared many interesting stories and asked me what my preferences were. He offered to help me out during my stay in Recife. The tour is the best one I have been on in Brazil after 5 months of traveling here. Viator was not particularly helpful when there was a scheduling issue but Leo made time for me and responded promptly. You will be very happy with any tour with Leo.
We had a great tour and an amazing time with Leo. He guided my family of four and my sister around Recife and Olinda. He knew the best spots in Recife to show us like the Avenue of Boa Viagem, Marco Zero, the first synagogue of America, the heads of Olinda dolls used for carnival along with a unique Pernambuco dance, frevo. Finally we headed up to Olinda and had a magnificent view of the city from high up the hill. We walked through the artisan shows and ate tapioca at the street vendor. Leo was so attentive and so engaging he really made each stop better because of his positive energy and love for what he was doing. He also spoke in English with us so we could better understand what we were seeing. He really made our tour special.
Thank you for such a thoughtful review. It was a real pleasure spending the day with you and your family exploring Recife and Olinda. Sharing the stories, culture, and views of our beautiful region with travelers who are curious and engaged always makes the experience even more special. We are very happy to know the tour became a memorable moment for you all. Thank you for your trust and for the kind recommendation. We hope to welcome you back to Pernambuco in the future.
Our experience was amazing! Leo is a wonderful person and a very experienced tour guide that works with a lot of passion and goes beyond expectations to make your trip a memorable one! We highly recommend his services once you come to Pernambuco, Brazil.
Thank you so much for your kind words. It was truly a pleasure to share Recife and Olinda with you. Knowing that the experience became a special memory for you means a lot. Your energy and curiosity made the day even more enjoyable. We hope to welcome you back to Pernambuco one day for more discoveries. Safe travels and thank you for the recommendation.
We had a fantastic experience exploring Recife and Olinda with our guide, Leo! The tour was well-paced, informative, and full of charm. We started in Olinda, Olinda was simply magical. Perched on seven hills, its colonial architecture and stunning views were unforgettable. Leo’s passion for the region and deep knowledge made the whole experience even more enriching. Rua do Bom Jesus was a highlight – not only the oldest street in the city but also home to the first synagogue in the Americas. Leo’s storytelling really brought the history to life. At Praça da República, we admired the beautiful architecture of the Government Palace, the Palace of Justice, and the Santa Isabel Theater. The massive Baobab tree was an unexpected and impressive sight! The Pernambuco House of Culture was also fascinating – a former prison turned into a vibrant marketplace with local crafts in every cell. Finally, Praça do Marco Zero, where Leo shared interesting historical context about the city’s origins. The walk through the old town was pleasant and scenic, giving us a feel for the colonial atmosphere. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Recife and wanting a deeper understanding of its culture and history. Thank you, Leo!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 🙏 I’m truly happy to know that you had such a fantastic experience exploring Recife and Olinda. It was a real pleasure to guide you through the stories, sights, and soul of these two amazing cities. Olinda is indeed magical, and I’m thrilled it left such a strong impression on you. From the colorful colonial streets to the powerful history of Rua do Bom Jesus and the peaceful beauty of Praça da República — I’m glad each stop resonated with you. Your kind words mean a lot, and it was an honor to help bring the history and culture of this region to life for you. Wishing you more enriching travels ahead — and you’re always welcome back to Recife! Com carinho, Leo 🌞
Paulo was a great guide. We learned so much. Half our group wasn't bilingual but his English was perfect and all of us enjoyed the tour.
Thanks for your review and for joining us on the Recife & Olinda Highlights tour! We’re thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with Paulo Velloso. He’s a dedicated and knowledgeable guide, and we’re proud to have him as part of our team. It’s wonderful to know that the entire group enjoyed the tour and felt included, regardless of language — clear communication is key, and we’re glad Paulo delivered that with ease. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable experiences in the future! Warm regards, Leo Recife Wander Tours
We booked a group tour with Leo. It was a great day in Olina and Recife. Leo's English is quite good. He said his father was a professor and they had stayed in San Diego for 2 years. Leo took us to Olinda in the morning, explained the situation, and took us to a place to have tapioca dessert and coconut. Then went to Recife. Had lunch at a buffet restaurant (pretty good), then toured more of Recife, including at harbourfront where they had festival crowd and parade. We enjoyed the day. Would recommend.
Thank you for your thoughtful review! I’m so glad you enjoyed your day exploring the vibrant streets of Olinda and Recife, from savoring tapioca and coconut to experiencing the lively pre-Carnival atmosphere by the harbor. Sharing the history, culture, and flavors of this incredible region with you was truly a pleasure. Your kind recommendation means a great deal, and I’d be honored to guide you again on a future visit!
Leo was amazing! Besides very friendly he was extremely knowledgeable about the history and culture of the region. He easily transitioned from Portuguese to English and also did great explaining things to my seven year old. I will definitely recommend him to my friends and clients.
Thank you for the kind words! It was a joy sharing the history and culture of the region with you and making it engaging for your seven-year-old too—kids always bring a special energy to the day! I’m thrilled to hear you’d recommend me, and I’d be honored to welcome you or your friends back to Recife anytime.
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recife & Olinda Highlights | 8 hours | 5.0 (20) | $310 | |
 Full Day Tour to Olinda and Recife | 7 hours | 4.2 (35) | $25 | View |
 Olinda and Recife Guided City Tour with Hotel Transfers | 7 hours | 4.1 (34) | $30 | View |
 City Tour of Olinda Including Instituto Ricardo Brennand | 5 hours | 4.5 (28) | $100 | View |
 Recife and Olinda City Tour | 6–8 hours | 4.7 (13) | $33 | View |
 Private City Tour Recife, Olinda and Brennand Institute By RECIFE TRANSLADO | 7–8 hours | 3.5 (10) | $98 | View |
 Jewish Tour Recife and Olinda Jewish Presence SEC XVI, XVII and XX | 5–6 hours | 4.6 (9) | $197 | View |