Ilha de Itaparica is dotted with holiday homes. Salvadorians that can afford it used this island as a weekend escape from the city. The beaches here aren’t of paradise island standard but they’re clean and pleasant enough, and the water is calm and safe for swimming. The most popular town on the island is Mar Grande, a chilled out little place that is crammed with nice restaurants and pousadas.

Sightseeing
Visit the Fort do São Lourenço. It sits on the northern tip of the island and was built in 1711 by the Dutch invaders. An odd sight on the island is a huge tree that lives in the centre. It is growing under, around and out of the ruins of the old church, Igreja Baiacu. The best beaches of the island are probably the Praia Ponte de Areia and the Praia Barra Grande.

Getting there
There are frequent passenger ferries leaving from Terminal Maritimo Turistico in Salvador and arriving at the dock in Mar Grande.

Getting around
Kombis are the quickest and cheapest way to travel around the island.