Recife, a magical city
Colonial history and modernity united in one city
Recife is a vibrant metropolis with a rich history and is one of the most culturally exciting cities in north-eastern Brazil. Together with the UNESCO World Heritage city of Olinda, it forms a fascinating duo. The historic centre extends along two rivers and three islands, while the beautiful beaches in the surrounding area are enchanting. The pleasant climate, which varies between 23° in the rainy season and 30° in the dry season, the immense hospitality and, in particular, the ‘Brazilian Way of Life’ are the reasons why Recife has now become my home.
Interesting facts about Recife – one of Brazil's oldest cities
Recife was founded on 12 March 1537. It received city status in December 1823, and since 1827 Recife has served as the capital of the state of Pernambuco.
The name Recife means ‘reef’, which refers to the mighty coral reefs along the coast. These protect the city from the stormy ocean. You often hear the name ‘Veneza Brasileira’, or Brazilian
Venice.
The city is four metres above sea level and is traversed by the rivers Beberibe, Capibaribe, Tejipió, Jaboatão and Pirapama. The Beberibe flows into the Atlantic Ocean after 24 kilometres and the
Capibaribe after 240 kilometres. Recife resembles a labyrinth of canals, streams and rivers and is often compared to the Queen of the Adriatic, Venice.
With 1.6 million inhabitants, Recife is the third largest city in the region after Salvador and Fortaleza. The metropolitan area, known as Grande Recife, has almost 5 million inhabitants and is
one of the largest in northeastern Brazil. Recife is the eighth largest metropolitan area in the country.
The districts of Recife Antigo, Santo Antônio and São José are full of history and culture.
The historic centre is located on several islands, which are connected by numerous bridges. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Recife developed into a centre of artistic and political movements. This intellectual spirit can still be felt in the city today. Recife is probably the most avant-garde of the northeast, with an art and music scene that is second to none.
Recife Antigo: the old historical city centre with the old harbour district around the popular Praça Marco Zero. The square is not only the cultural epicentre of Recife, but also the starting point of all routes in Pernambuco. Many events take place here. Most of the colonial eye-catchers can be marvelled at in Recife Antigo. The traces of the colonial history of old Recife are everywhere.
The island neighbouring Recife Antigo is called Ilha de Antônio Vaz. The districts of Santo Antônio and São José, which are part of the old town, are located here. It is worth visiting to experience the city's lively commercial centre up close. There is the Republic Square, magnificent palaces, a golden chapel and old churches. The island is also home to one of the city's most impressive markets.
The gastronomic offer is excellent. Nowhere else in the Northeast have I been able to eat as well as here. Nice bars and outdoor cafes are trendy meeting places for cold drinks, regional dishes and live music. Recife has over 1,700 bars and restaurants, making it the largest gastronomic centre in the Northeast and the third largest in Brazil, after São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
The innovative, forward-looking and modern Recife
Since ancient times, Recife has been considered a showcase for trade in the country. Today, Brazil's largest high-tech park is located in the old port area. Business Week magazine ranks the ‘Porto Digital’ among the ten places worldwide where people think about the future. Professor Jerome S. Engel of the University of California at Berkeley mentions this technology park in his book as one of the most important technology clusters worldwide. The park is home to over 350 companies. They generate a turnover of R$ 4.75 billion and employ more than 17,000 people.
The history of the first shopping centre in Brazil begins on 7 September 1899 in Recife with the Mercado Modelo Coelho Cintra. Today, the Rio Mar project is leading the way with over 40,000 m² of green space. The shopping centre recycles or composts 70% of its waste. There are 380 stores, over 70 gastronomic options, a 700-seat theatre, 12 cinemas with XD and DBOX technology, an electronic amusement park, bowling, a gym, an ecumenical space and a gourmet space. There are also 5,600 parking spaces and valet parking.
Recife International Airport – Gilberto Freyre is one of the most beautiful airports in Brazil. With a capacity of 11 million passengers per year, it is the largest and most modern in the north and northeast of the country. A global ranking by AirHelp voted it the second best airport in the world in 2024. The survey evaluated punctuality, customer opinion, food and shops. With an index of 8.52, it was behind Tokyo International Airport, which scored 8.83.
The Brennand Castle in Recife is one of the three most beautiful museums in Brazil. The main attraction is not the fortress, but the interior. The ‘Instituto Ricardo Brennand’ displays one of the largest collections of armour in the world. Also on display are full-size copies of Rodin's ‘The Thinker’ and Michelangelo's ‘David’. Visitors can also admire original sculptures such as Botero's ‘La dama y el Caballo’. Brennand Castle is a major attraction in Brazil.
Recife, the lively capital of the Brazilian state of Pernambuco
The 19th-century Mercado da Boa Vista combines a vegetable market, bohemian culture and regional cuisine.
After a sightseeing tour through the centre of Recife, a multitude of bars and street cafes await you.
The Cabanga Yacht Club is well known in the water sports scene. Its success is reflected in its social events.
One of the city's main attractions is the 7-kilometer-long, illuminated seafront promenade of Boa Viagem.