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Olinda is a small city of about 390,000 people split between the hilltop colonial center and a string of beach suburbs running north along the coast. The historic center, the SÃtio Histórico, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and where most visitors stay. This guide covers the neighborhoods you are most likely to stay in or cross, with who each one suits and typical hotel prices. See our Olinda guide for more. See our where to stay in Olinda guide for more.
Olinda Neighborhoods: Cidade Alta (SÃtio Histórico)
The Cidade Alta is the seven-hill colonial core, bounded roughly by the Alto da Sé to the west and the Carmo church to the east. It holds most of the churches, museums, and the Rua do Amparo galleries, and it is where the Carnival blocos parade. It suits first-time visitors who want to walk everywhere, though the steep cobblestone streets and lack of lifts in colonial pousadas make it hard for anyone with mobility issues. Boutique pousadas here average R$ 250 to R$ 600 a night. See our Olinda weather by month guide for more. See our Olinda travel tips guide for more.
Olinda Neighborhoods: Carmo and Amparo
Around the Igreja do Carmo and the lower Rua do Amparo, this is the arts and nightlife end of the historic center. It has the densest run of galleries, craft shops, and small bars with live frevo. It suits couples and culture-focused travelers, and it is slightly flatter than the Cidade Alta. Guesthouses and hostels here run from about R$ 90 for a dorm bed to R$ 400 for a double room. See our best time to visit Olinda guide for more.
Olinda Neighborhoods: Bairro Novo and the Beachfront
Bairro Novo sits at the foot of the hill along the Avenida Ministro Marcos Freire, facing the Praia do Bairro Novo. It is the most convenient base for combining beach time with the historic center, a 10-minute walk uphill. It suits families and anyone who wants a pool and modern rooms rather than a colonial pousada. Beachfront hotels here average R$ 300 to R$ 500 a night. See our things to do in Olinda guide for more.
Olinda Neighborhoods: Casa Caiada and Rio Doce
These northern beach neighborhoods have the calmest, widest beaches and the most local feel. Casa Caiada faces the Hotel 5 Sóis and its promenade, while Rio Doce, 5 km further north, is a quiet residential strip with kiosks and calmer water. They suit visitors with a car or those who want to escape the historic-center crowds, but they mean a taxi or bus ride for sightseeing. See our events and festivals in Olinda guide for more.
