discover some tourist attractions of the city in southern Bahia

The city was not chosen to be the stage for the remake of Benedito Ruy Barbosa’s soap opera for nothing. In addition to the landscapes, between the beach and preserved Atlantic Forest, Ilhéus has a history that includes the cocoa cycle, immigration and literature. See some essential points of Ilhéus to learn about the past, present, history and culture of the region:

Jorge Amado House of Culture

Built in the late 1920s in a neoclassical style by the writer’s father, today it is a museum that offers a comprehensive view of Jorge Amado’s life, from his childhood to his consecration as a renowned Brazilian author. The space has exhibitions that include personal and historical items, in a preserved structure with rosewood floors and English tiles from the period.

Bataclan

Today a bar, café, restaurant and music venue, the Bataclan was opened in the 1920s as a cabaret and casino, being frequented and maintained by the region’s cocoa colonels. Its location, maintained to this day, was strategically designed to be close to the old port and the city’s old fair, where sailors, traders and all types of people passed through. During its heyday, between 1926 and 1938, the Bataclan was a meeting point for cocoa colonels, gunmen, sailors, bohemians and intellectuals. Closed in the 1950s, the building was revitalized in 1987, and today it is a place visited by tourists interested in the history portrayed in Jorge Amado’s works.

Saint Sebastian Cathedral

Considered one of the most beautiful churches in the state, construction began in 1931 – but it was only inaugurated in 1967. Its majestic exterior contrasts with the discreet and simple interior. The cathedral is 48 meters high and is the heart of the Historic Center of Ilhéus.

Bar Vesuvius

Founded by Italian immigrants in 1919, it is one of the oldest establishments in the city. Immortalized in Jorge Amado’s work, “Gabriela, Cravo e Canela”, the bar is known for its 20th century aesthetic and for being the place where the character Nacib fell in love with Gabriela. Listed as a historical heritage site, Vesúvio remains a cultural reference point in Ilhéus. The statue of Jorge Amado in front of the establishment, with the phrase “Baiano is a state of mind”, highlights the importance of the bar in the city’s history.

Cana Brava Resort

In addition to the historical points, places like the Cana Brava Resort invested heavily to combine the city’s rich nature and history with a modern experience that would attract tourists of all tastes. Offering luxuries such as all-inclusive food, with typical, modern restaurants and bars spread throughout the property, and located in a context of natural beauty, where culture, history and modernity intersect, the resort is a symbol of modern and versatile Ilhéus.

Beaches in the south of Ilhéus

Ilhéus has its historic center by the sea, but the city’s most beautiful and paradisiacal beaches are a few kilometers south of the city. Batuba beach is known for its waves ideal for surfing and the calm that reigns on the sand, Canabrava, with its extensive strip of golden sand and calm waters, is perfect for those looking for tranquility and contact with nature. Acuípe enchants with its natural pools formed during low tide, ideal for relaxing and enjoying the beauty of the place.

Capela Velha Farm

Located on the famous “Estrada do Chocolate”, between the cities of Ilhéus and Uruçuca, Fazenda Capela Velha was founded in the 19th century and followed all the cycles of the Brazilian Cocoa Capital. Abandoned for years, it was revitalized in 2011 and today it is the farm with the most modern chocolate production process in the region. Currently, visitors have the unique opportunity to experience the cocoa harvest, witness its transformation into chocolate and enjoy a typical lunch surrounded by the history and nature of the region, which in recent years has been reinventing its cocoa tradition, combining the recovery of production with tourism.