Praça Mãe Preta isn’t just a square—it’s the soul of Salvador. A powerful tribute to Black women’s legacy, this space thrums with history, art, and rhythm. On festival days, it transforms into an open-air stage bursting with music, dance, and color—let your feet follow the beat and feel alive.




















Everything you need to know about Praça Mãe Preta
Hotel Solar do Porto is a top choice, located just a 5-minute walk from Praça Mãe Preta. Housed in a restored colonial-era building, it blends Bahian heritage with modern comfort, featuring colorful ceramic floors and private balconies offering views of the vibrant square and historic streets.
The hotel hosts regular Afro-Brazilian cultural workshops, allowing guests to engage directly with local traditions, music, and history—perfect for travelers seeking authentic immersion.
Another excellent option is Casa da Bahia, nestled in the heart of the Pelourinho district. This boutique property offers a tranquil private courtyard and Portuguese-style arches, with easy access to local restaurants, craft markets, and art galleries.
Both hotels provide complimentary metro shuttle services, making it convenient to explore nearby landmarks like São Francisco Church and Casa da Cultura. The area’s pedestrian-friendly layout and rich cultural offerings make Praça Mãe Preta an ideal base for discovering Salvador’s Afro-Brazilian roots.
The most convenient option is taking the free Salvador Metro, exiting at the "Pelourinho" station—just a 3-minute walk to Praça Mãe Preta. This line connects downtown, the airport, and major tourist sites, with frequent departures and low fares.
Taxis or ride-hailing services (like Uber) take about 10 minutes, costing roughly R$15–25, passing through scenic colonial streets such as Ladeira de São Bento, where you can admire historic architecture along the way.
For eco-conscious travelers, BikeSalvador, the city’s bike-sharing program, offers electric bikes available near the square. Use the app to locate stations and enjoy a flexible, low-emission way to explore the surrounding neighborhoods. All options allow easy access to the lively street performances, art installations, and cultural events that define the plaza’s spirit.
The Praça Mãe Preta area hosts vibrant cultural events centered on Afro-Brazilian heritage, including weekly samba parades, drumming circles, and traditional costume exhibitions. The central statue of the Mãe Preta (Black Mother) serves as a spiritual focal point, where locals gather on weekends and holidays for spiritual rituals and oral history talks that preserve ancestral memory.
Nearby, the Centro Cultural Acríbio offers guided tours and workshops on Yoruba mythology, Angolan dance, and handwoven textile arts. Visitors can attend open-air night theater performances, blending drama, music, and lighting for a deeply immersive experience.
The surrounding streets also feature a street art trail, showcasing murals by local artists depicting black history and social movements. Pair your visit with a breakfast at Mercado Modelo, enjoying traditional curry rice and coconut milk drinks, to fully embrace the local rhythm of life. These activities offer more than sightseeing—they foster genuine connection to Salvador’s rich cultural identity.
Explore more amazing destinations