In which quarter house in Recife?

Are you planning a trip, a mutation or an expatriation in Brazil? This is in which district to stay in Recife!

Fifth urban area of Brazil with 3.7 million inhabitants spread over 217 km2, Recife is the capital of the State of Pernambouc, in the northeast region. Because of its strengths, Recife is one of the main tourist and economic hubs in Brazil. The former small fishing port, the city was colonized in 1537 by the Portuguese, taken by the Dutch in 1630 before being taken over by Portugal in 1654. With its attractions – a warm and humid tropical climate, splendid beaches, its historical and cultural heritage (carnivals, music festivals) -, Recife is also nicknamed the Venice of Brazil. Recife’s cultural life is also buzzing, and should seduce more than one. The rent of a housing to stay in Recife will inevitably vary according to the neighborhood and the level of comfort desired.

Recife's residential areas are Casa Forte, Graças and Espinheiro. There are studios and apartments, while Piedade and Boa Viagem, not far from the beach, instead house modern and luxurious villas. Accommodation can therefore be expensive if you choose the affluent neighborhoods. Here are the areas where to sleep in Recife.

The Old Recife

The Recife Antigo, located on the island where the Portuguese first settled at the beginning of the 16th century, is the historic center of the city. Here you will find the Praça Rio Branco and the Rua do Bom Jesus, two oldest and most typical sites of Recife, the Malakoff Tower – a former observatory now a high place of cultural encounters -, the Fort São João Batista do Brum – become a military museum – and the Cristal Tower, 32 meters high.

The harbour docks offer beautiful walks allowing a breathtaking view of the other shore of the Rio Capibaribe, with the Recife Lighthouse, built in 1822 to protect the old town of the Atlantic Ocean. In addition, beautiful churches, convents and colonial buildings. In the south of the island, many museums and restaurants sprinkle the old streets of downtown. Although there are few hotels, staying in Recife Antigo allows you to explore the heart of authentic city by being close to everything.

Residential neighborhoods

To rent an apartment more easily and in various ranges, you will need to aim at the areas of Casa Forte, Graças and Espinheiro. They are located west of the city centre, along the northern shores of the Rio Capibaribe. The Espinheiro district has the advantage of being reached in the modern city centre and sheltering many accommodations. On the Graças side, there are numerous museums, art galleries, bars and restaurants while enjoying a central position and a family atmosphere. This area where Recife is staying will offer more affordable rents than in the hyper-centre.

Boa Viagem

Located south of the city centre of Recife, the old city – integrated in Recife – from Boa Viagem attracts wealthy Brazilians and trendy young people. The rents to stay in Boa Viagem are higher than in the north, but the area is very popular, especially for its beach: a cord of 7 kilometers of urban beach, the most famous of the city. The coast is protected by the reefs but at low tide, you can swim in natural swimming pools with warm waters. To do by choosing to stay in Boa Viagem: relaxation, cycling, jogging, beach volleyball, tennis, etc.

Olinda

The official story tells us that when arriving on the coast, the Portuguese would have shouted "O linda situação para se construir uma vila ! » ("What a beautiful situation to build a city!"), caught by the beauty of the place. Olinda, the former capital of Pernambouc, has been classified as World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since 1982. The colonial past remains pregnant and visible in the historic centre, including the Cathedral of Olinda, the Convent of São Francisco or the Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo. Take the panoramic elevator – elevador panorâmico do Alto da Sé – to admire the city in height. If you like history and cultural visits, make a marathon of churches, choose to stay in Olinda. On the other hand, the city is lively in the day and very quiet in the evening.

Main photo credit: Flickr – Luci Correia